BUSCH: Six special grand marshals for Atlanta.

No less than six of NASCAR's greatest living legends will be on hand to serve as Grand Marshals for the upcoming Busch Series race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway as NASCAR continues to promote its new anti-smoking stance.

'The King' Richard Petty, who has a record 200 wins and seven championships, David Pearson, who ranks second with 105 all-time wins to go along with three championships, Ned Jarrett, a double NASCAR champion with 50 career victories and father of current racer Dale, 1973 NASCAR Champ and current TV commentator Benny Parsons, former Daytona 500 winner and TV commentator Buddy Baker, and Donnie Allison, who has more than 100 top ten finishes, will all serve as Grand Marshals for the Nicorette 300 on March 18th after being selected especially by the primary sponsor for their personal support of the ongoing campaign to quit smoking.

The Nicorette 300 marks the first NASCAR race to ever be sponsored by a "smoking cessation" product and is just one activity in a season-long sponsorship designed to eradicate smoking from the sport of NASCAR, less than three years after the sports 30 plus year relationship with Winston was stubbed out.

"We are thrilled to be able to have these six NASCAR legends serve as Grand Marshals for the Nicorette 300," said Steve Kapur, Senior Brand Manager for Nicorette's parent company GlaxoSmithKline. "Through the support of Richard, David, Ned, Buddy, Benny and Donnie, we hope to inspire NASCAR fans to quit smoking and improve their health. We thank these NASCAR legends for their support in this important cause."

The six NASCAR legends will jointly give the command "Gentlemen, Start your Engines" to start the Nicorette 300 while making appearances throughout the day.

"I am proud to be able to support all that GSK Consumer Healthcare is doing to help fans quit smoking," said Petty. "We look forward to spending time with the fans."

"Hopefully, through our support we will be able to inspire NASCAR fans to quit smoking," added Pearson, a former smoker himself. "I'm excited to being a part of this worthwhile programme."

"What a great thrill it will be for fans of all generations to see these NASCAR superheroes together again at Atlanta Motor Speedway," said Ed Clark, President and General Manager of Atlanta Motor Speedway. "With 405 victories between them, each and every one played an integral role in making NASCAR the tremendous success it is today."