NTB National Tire & Battery Becomes Title Sponsor of the Trans-Am Racing Series

1 October 1997

NTB NATIONAL TIRE & BATTERY TO BE TITLE SPONSOR OF THE TRANS-AM RACING
SERIES


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:


DETROIT, Mich. -- NTB National Tire & Battery, Sears, Roebuck and
Co.'s newest freestanding retail format, today announced its 3-year
title sponsorship of the Trans-Am Championship.

"The Trans-Am racing series attracts the performance tire and wheel
buyers who are our customers at NTB National Tire & Battery," said
Paul Baffico, president of the Sears Automotive Group.  "While NTB is
quickly growing to become the nation's favorite place to buy tires and
batteries, the NTB Trans-Am series is growing to be one of America's
favorite racing series.  The match is perfect."

The sponsorship will begin in 1998, the 33rd year of competition for
the NTB Trans-Am series, and will continue through the year 2000.
Since its inception in 1966, the NTB Trans-Am Championship has
provided a competition arena for stock-appearing touring (sedans) and
grand touring (sports) race cars.  Over a million race fans watched
the 13 races on the 1997 schedule.

"We are thrilled to have NTB as our partner in the Trans-Am series,"
said Les Richter, Chairman of the Trans-Am Council.  "This type of
sponsorship will make a significant contribution to the Trans-Am
Championship at the national level.  The Trans-Am Championship offers
NTB a motorsports property that features a national schedule, the best
TV package in road racing and exciting, identifiable cars.  This
sponsorship marks a new beginning for the NTB Trans-Am Championship."

NTB National Tire & Battery was officially launched in March 1997 when
Sears announced that it was converting its 150 Tire America and 125
National Tire Warehouse (NTW) stores into one format, NTB National
Tire & Battery.  Throughout the summer, all 275 stores were converted
to NTB and many new stores were opened as well.  NTB plans to add 100
new stores per year with a goal of more than 700 stores by the year
2001.

All NTB stores carry national brand name and private label tires and
custom wheels.  Stores also sell batteries and related starting and
charging accessories, including DieHard, the nation's most preferred
battery.  NTB also offers related ride-control services including
brakes, shocks, struts, alignments and front-end repairs.

Sears, Roebuck and Co. (www.SEARS.com) is the nation's largest
retailer of tires and batteries through its nearly 800 Sears Auto
Centers and 300 NTB National Tire & Battery locations.  Under its
Western Auto division, Sears sells automotive parts, accessories and
related products at its Parts America and Western Auto retail stores.
Additionally, independently owned and operated Western Auto Associate
Stores serve rural American customers with a diverse selection of
automotive and home goods.


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Bob McHenry (NTB) (847) 286-4682
John Clagett (SCCA Pro Racing) (303) 694-7223