• A New Era in Stock-Car Racing 
  By Lisa Napoli, NY Times  
       When Timothy M. Donahue, chief executive of the wireless communications company Nextel Communications Inc., was introduced at a pre-race meeting of Nascar drivers earlier this month, the drivers erupted in a standing ovation.

  Nascar announced in June that next year Nextel would become the sport's title sponsor, replacing its chief patron of more than 30 years, the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, the maker of Winston cigarettes   (complete article may be accessed through google.com)

   

• Crashes on rise in NASCAR
  By Gary Graves, USA TODAY
       A combination of familiar names and new faces has contributed to a 22% jump in accidents and spinouts through 18 races this year. A USA TODAY database examination shows 109 accidents and spins that resulted in caution flags through Sunday's Tropicana 400 in Joliet, Ill. That compares with 89 at the same point last year and 90 in 2001. (complete article may be accessed through google.com)

• AAA urges motorists to hang up on their cell phone usage to be safe  
  Published: Jul/Aug 2001  
         Driver distractions cause up to 8,000 traffic crashes on U.S. roads every day, so AAA is urging motorists to avoid one of the most obvious distractions: cell phone use.

  In a new brochure, “Cell Phones and Driving: Drive Now, Talk Later,” AAA examines the driver distraction issue and offers tips on safe driving. The free brochure points out that drivers are not only distracted when they take their hands off the wheel and their eyes off the road, but also when they take their minds off driving. (complete article may be accessed through google.com)

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