JJ WINS 400TH MODERN-ERA WINSTON CUP RACE

     Loudon, N.H., July 20, 2003 - Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Monte Carlo, won the New England 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway today and gave Chevrolet its 400th victory of the modern era (1972-present) in NASCAR Winston Cup racing. "This win is very special because of all the opportunities Chevrolet has given me in the many forms of racing I've been in. To win a landmark event like this for them really means a lot to me."
     
      Quality Performance
     JIM CAMPBELL, MARKETING DIRECTOR, CHEVY RACING NASCAR & INDY RACING LEAGUE: "The 400th win of NASCAR's modern era is just another sign of some great momentum at Chevrolet, not only on the racetrack, but in the showroom and in our quality performance. We're extremely proud of all of our Chevrolet race team owners, drivers and teams, and especially proud of Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports for helping us accomplish this key milestone." 
     
      Team Effort
     DOUG DUCHARDT, DIRECTOR OF GM RACING: "To have won 400 races in the ultra-competitive modern era of NASCAR Winston Cup racing is quite an accomplishment. This special achievement emphasizes the strong performance of our Chevrolet drivers and teams, and we are proud of them for helping us earn this important 400th victory." 
     
      A Car With Incredible Heritage
     Chevrolet's 400th victory of the modern era continues its incredible 30-year heritage that began with Bobby Allison's win at Atlanta International Raceway on March 26, 1972. His car owner at that time was Richard Howard, and his team manager that season the incomparable Junior Johnson. Allison's victory at Atlanta was the first for a Chevrolet on a superspeedway since Johnson won at Charlotte in October 1963.
     
      Winning Tradition
     Many champions have since contributed to Chevrolet's winning tradition. Richard Petty primarily drove Monte Carlos when he won the title in 1979, as did Dale Earnhardt in his first championship season in 1980. Terry Labonte and Darrell Waltrip won the Winston Cup with Monte Carlos in 1984 and 1985 respectively; Labonte repeated in 1996. Earnhardt drove Richard Childress' Chevrolets to Winston Cup titles in 1986-87, 1990-91, and 1993-94. Jeff Gordon has set the standard in recent years, winning four titles in 1995, 1997-98 and 2001.
     
          
      For The Record
     No manufacturer has carried more drivers to Winston Cup championships than Chevrolet, and Monte Carlo has won more NASCAR races than any car in history. As the most successful nameplate in professional stock car racing since 1972 - the year that marked the start of NASCAR's modern era - Chevrolet holds the following records:

        a.. Most Racing Victories: 400
        b.. Most Victories in a Season Among Active Manufacturers: 22 (in 1980, 31 race season)
        c.. Most Manufacturers' Championships: 22 (1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001)
        d.. Most Consecutive Manufacturers' Championships: 9 (1983 - 1991)
        e.. Most Driver's Championships: 18 (1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001)
        f.. Most Consecutive Drivers' Championships: 6 (1993-1998)