Interstate's No. 18 Chevy Racing for 'The Passion' at Daytona

DALLAS, Feb. 5 -- The No. 18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet, driven by Bobby Labonte, will sport a special paint scheme featuring the movie The Passion of The Christ at the Daytona 500 on Feb. 15, 2004.

The movie, produced and directed by Mel Gibson, is a vivid depiction of the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ's life. It opens in theaters on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25. James Caviezel, the actor who plays Jesus, will attend the Daytona 500 as a guest of Interstate Batteries Chairman Norm Miller.

"This outstanding movie factually portrays the most important 12 hours in history," said Miller. "We are privileged to be a part of its promotion to the world. Besides that, it may well be the number one box office attraction of the year. I certainly hope so!"

"I want to thank my good friend, Norm Miller, and the terrific Interstate Batteries team for their encouragement and support of my upcoming film," said Gibson, who has starred in movies such as Lethal Weapon and The Patriot and won two Oscars for his production and direction of Braveheart. "This film dramatically portrays an event that has affected all of our lives -- regardless of one's religious affiliation, or none. Like Norm, I happen to believe this story to be true."

The $25 million project, which was financed, co-written and directed by Gibson, has some controversy surrounding it. Some are concerned that it may be too graphic, and others that it may be anti-Jewish. A booklet entitled "Is The Passion of the Christ Anti-Semitic?" provides viewpoints from Jewish and Christian people who have seen The Passion and is available at www.mastermediaintl.org/guest/index.htm . No matter what the media says, Gibson says The Passion is intended to inspire, not to offend.

"I am honored to be partnered with Joe Gibbs Racing," said Gibson, "as they have emblazoned The Passion of The Christ across the hood of the Interstate Batteries car for the Daytona 500 race this year. We'll be rooting for Bobby Labonte and No. 18 on February 15, and hope to see you at the theater on February 25."

Labonte, 2000 Winston Cup champion, will be competing in his 12th Daytona 500 and scored a career-best second-place finish in 1998 behind Dale Earnhardt.

"I know Norm Miller is a big supporter of the film, so it's very exciting for him to have the Passion paint scheme on the Interstate Batteries car," Labonte said. "Jim Caviezel will be in our pit on race day, so hopefully we can bring him a win in the Daytona 500."

Caviezel is no stranger to auto racing. In 2002, he drove the 50th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car at the beginning of the 86th Indianapolis 500 race.

The paint scheme featuring "The Passion of The Christ" will help kick off the 13th year that Interstate Batteries has served as primary sponsor on the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing car. JGR won the 1993 Daytona 500 with Dale Jarrett as the driver, and the team has scored 40 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup wins.

The 2004 Daytona 500 starts at 1:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, Feb. 15, and will be broadcast live on NBC and MRN.