When Country Time Lemonade Went All-In On NASCAR

In the late 1980s, Country Time Lemonade Flavored Drink Mix became one of the most enthusiastic sponsors of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. In just a few short years, the subsidiary of Kraft General Foods spent millions on advertising and pioneered brand activations as we know them today. Their funding helped rebuild three different struggling single-car teams, each repainted in neon yellow and hot pink. But in the unpredictable world of stock car racing, Country Time would also have to contend with on-track struggles and a tragic end to a legend’s career.

#MichaelWaltrip #BobbyHamilton #NeilBonnett #CountryTime #WinstonCupSeries

VIDEO CREDITS
   • Country Time  

MUSIC
“Morning Routine” by Roman Senyk Music
   • Morning Routine | Corporate-Style Bac...  

PHOTOS
Bryan Hallman, BRH Racing Archives
Lee Johnson Collection
NASCARMAN History

BOOKS
Smith, Tim. “Micro But Many,” Bitmap Books, 2020.

ARTICLES
Luther, Bill. “Daytona claims 2nd victim in less than 72 hours,” Citizens’ Voice, February 15, 1994.
Morris, Bob. “Cash problem solved, Bahre aims for the top,” Sun-Journal, February 7, 1988.
Vega, Michael. “A laps of memory,” The State, October 31, 1993.
Woody, Larry. “Hamilton hits big show hoping to star,” The Tennessean, February 14, 1991.
Zeller, Bob. “Ingle is new crew chief for Ricky Rudd,” News and Record, January 5, 1994.

UNCREDITED
“Allison family files $25 million lawsuit,” The Roanoke Times,” January 6, 1994.
“Bonnett fearless to a fault,” The Anniston Star, February 12, 1994.
“Bonnett’s death shocks Hueytown,” Bristol Herald Courier, February 12, 1994.
“(Bonnett on the Daytona deal), The Orlando Sentinel, February 12, 1994.
“(Country Time leaving as sponsor), Messenger-Inquirer, August 18, 1994.
“(Country Time leaving as sponsor after Phoenix), The News-Herald, August 21, 1994.
“Holidays extra special this year for Bonnett,” Florence Morning News, December 19, 1993.
“(Mention of Country Time Lemonade sales figures),” The Orlando Sentinel, November 14, 1993.
“Neil Bonnett plans comeback during 1994 NASCAR tour,” The Beaufort Gazette, October 28, 1993.
“Report: Bonnett to return in ’94,” Chillcothe Gazette, October 28, 1993.
“(Rodney Orr testing lap mentioned), Dayton Daily News, January 28, 1994.
“Testing speeds,” The Atlanta Journal, January 16, 1994.

OTHER SOURCES
1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, and 1994 Country Time Racing Press Kits
Country Time (via Dr. Pepper Snapple Group), archived June 11, 2011 at https://web.archive.org/web/201106110...

CHAPTERS
0:00 – New sponsorship
2:03 – Bahari’ Racing
8:28 – TriStar Motorsports
18:37 - Phoenix Racing
26:36 – Someday
35:58 – Moving On
39:13 - Closing