Nicorette to sponsor Mears.

Nicorette gum will become the first specific anti-smoking product to sponsor a NASCAR Nextel Cup effort when it provides primary backing to Casey Mears' #41 Chip Ganassi Racing team later this year.

Nicorette's parent firm GlaxoSmithKline, will feature three of its brands, Nicorette gum, the NicoDerm CQ patch and Commit lozenges, on the rear deck lid of Mears'
car for the entire season. Nicorette will also be the primary sponsor on the #41 Dodge for the Golden Corral 500 in Atlanta in March.

The anti-smoking firm enters NASCAR just one year after the series' 33 year sponsorship association with cigarette brand Winston ended and will also become a sponsor of NASCAR itself, as well as Mears' #41 team.

GlaxoSmithKline will also have an on-site display area at more than half of the 36 Nextel Cup races this year, where fans can get guidance and even counselling on how to quit smoking.