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NASCAR BGN: Lysol Brand to Sponsor Akins/Sutton Team in 1999

15 November 1998

HOMESTEAD, Fla. - Reckitt & Colman Inc., maker of LYSOL cleaners and disinfectants, announced today from the Miami-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex that it has signed a deal to become the primary sponsor of a NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division team operated by Akins/Sutton Motorsports.

The LYSOL brand has been a part of the NASCAR Busch Series through its primary sponsorship of Hensley Racing since 1994 and its title sponsorship of the LYSOL 200 at Watkins Glen International since 1995. Next season LYSOL will make its 150th start as a primary NASCAR Busch Series sponsor.

Veteran driver Elton Sawyer, a native of Chesapeake, Va., will pilot the No. 98 LYSOL Ford Taurus. Sawyer has been with Akins/Sutton Motorsports since 1994 and will finish in the top 10 in points for the second consecutive season. The points that Sawyer and Akins/Sutton accumulated in 1998 will follow Sawyer to the LYSOL Racing team. He leads all active regular NASCAR Busch Series drivers in starts with 288, a mark that stands third on the all-time chart behind legends Tommy Houston (417) and Dale Jarrett (323).

"Akins/Sutton Motorsports has a proven track record and has improved its performance every year," said Gary Sanguinetti, Director of Customer Strategy, Reckitt & Colman Inc. "I have no doubt that the team will again improve its performance in 1999. The LYSOL brand is a leader in its category and Elton is a leader in the NASCAR Busch Series. Its a natural fit. We are anticipating an exciting year filled with multiple trips to victory lane and a run for the championship."

"Akins/Sutton Motorsports is extremely excited to operate a two-car team for the first time in 1999," said Brad Akins, co-owner of Akins/Sutton Motorsports. "We have two great teams and each will compete for the top five in points. Elton Sawyer is one of the best drivers on the circuit, and his best years are yet to come."

"Since the LYSOL brand makers have been in racing for five years now, I know they are as committed to the sport as I am," Sawyer said. "With the LYSOL brands commitment and the strong Akins/Sutton Motorsports crew, the LYSOL Racing team is going to really turn some heads in 1999. We plan to battle for the championship in our new colors."

Reckitt & Colman Inc., based in Wayne, N.J., is a leading North American consumer products company that manufactures, markets and sells well-known cleaning and disinfectant products. Its brands include LYSOL cleaners and disinfectants, RESOLVE carpet cleaners, MOP & GLO floor care products, d-CON rodenticides, WOOLITE fabric washes, OLD ENGLISH furniture care products, EASY-OFF oven cleaners, WIZARD STICK UPS Twist and Stick air fresheners, GLASS PLUS glass and surface cleaners and SPRAYN WASH laundry stain removers.

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