Another shoe has been dropped as the three year old Master Settlement Agreement between the “gummint” and tobacco companies takes effect. One of the provisions of the 1998 agreement is that cigarette makers have to cut their sponsorship to one program every 12 months. R. J. Reynolds this week announced it would continue its support of NASCAR and drop two other events it has backed for nearly as long. Tobacco companies have to be in compliance with the MSA by the end of this year.

As a result, the Angel (of Death?) is withdrawing its sponsorship of the National Hot Rod Association and the Senior PGA’s Vantage Championship.

A no-brainer.

Tobacco companies cannot buy commercials on TV or cable, but they can buy the right to hang their logos and trademarks all around sporting events, where they will be seen by fans in the stands, not to mention on camera and thus in front of viewers at home.

Of the three, NASCAR, NHRA and the Senior PGA, which would you think could demonstrate the largest number of eyes in front of which RJR can put its symbols?

According to the Associate Press, the track attendance for a major NASCAR race averages 100,000, not to mention the TV audience and the endless replays and highlight footage. A major NHRA event hardly draws 100,000 in three days and TV coverage of its events is generally relegated to tape-delay on cable.

As for the Senior PGA, events are way more attractive to the on-course fans, seeing their favorite legends in person, rather than on TV. The decision to drop the Vantage championship presents its own pangs to RJR, however. The event is held near the company’s corporate home in Winston-Salem and made good local PR. The company could continue its sponsorship, but would have to change the name to something which is not a cigarette brand.

So, what would be the point?

No surprises here. RJR had little choice but to stay with NASCAR, which changed the name of its premier series from Grand National to Winston Cup 30 years ago for tobacco money. Tobacco money which amounted to just $100,000 in 1971 and has grown to $13 million this year.

RJR support of the NHRA has nearly as long a history, 27 years. The decision announced this week also means that the Team Winston Top Fuel Dragster currently driven by Gary Scelzi and the Team Winston Pro Stock motorcycle ridden by Angelle Savoie will be looking for new sponsorship after the current season.

The Vantage Senior Golf Championship had existed since 1987.

Speaking of NASCAR and its TV package on NBC, I’ve been bothered the past couple of weeks by the thought that the partnership between the two may have led them to “Jump the Shark.”

To explain: I surfed across a website a couple of months back, called “jumptheshark.com.” Its premise is that usually, the writers/producers of our favorite television programs run out of creativity … or personnel changes … or actors go and come. Whatever, there comes a moment in the series when long time fans realize that it no longer has the qualities which made it their favorite and the producers are desperate to find a way to hang on to viewers.

Usually its the addition of a new child to the family or a move to a new location.

“Jump the Shark” refers to a Happy Days episode in which Fonzi was waterskiing and was being stalked by a shark and jumped over it. According to the website owner, that was when he realized that the show had passed its peak and no longer was worthy of his allegiance. The show had finally lost the credibility which made its viewers devoted fans.

I couldn’t help but think about that as I watched Dale Earnhardt, Jr. win the Pepsi 400.

It was just too perfect. The track which had taken his father’s life just 150 days earlier … TV prime time … the opener of NBC’s share of Winston Cup coverage … Independence Day weekend … Number 8 is way back with just six laps to go after a caution period and everybody knows you can’t pass on a restrictor plate track.

But he does it and wins the race, in some way perhaps avenging his Pa. Tom Cruise wouldn’t make a movie with such a plot, at least, not again.

The only thing which made the whole event believable is the fact that Earnhardt, Jr. had, for whatever reason, the dominant car all week. For it to continue to be dominant in the last few laps of the race was not unexpected.

A few nights later, the Iron Man, Cal Ripken, Jr., America’s Hero, having announced his retirement after this season, is playing in his final All-Star Game. He comes to bat and hits a home run to score the first run of the game.

There is joy throughout Mudville.

The only thing which made that whole event believable is …

Well, there must have been something.

Cynicism is no fun … and I’ll admit that this conspiracy theory itself would not make believable reading.

But it gives one pause …

By the way, the sailing is going well. Thanks to Tom, Peg and Ryan H. who gave up several days over the past couple of weeks to show our family the ropes.

No, not ropes. They’re called halyards, sheets, and lines. We’re learning.