Pep Boys Joins NHRA 50th Anniversary Nationals as Title Sponsor

    GLENDORA, Calif.--May 29, 2001--Pep Boys , the nation's leading full-service automotive aftermarket retail and service chain, today announced that it has agreed to become the title sponsor of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) 50th Anniversary Nationals, to be held July 5-7 at Pomona Raceway.
    With the addition of American Racing Custom Wheels as presenting sponsor, the race will now officially be called "The Pep Boys NHRA 50th Anniversary Nationals, presented by American Racing Wheels."
    The $2 million race, which marks the return of nighttime drag racing to Southern California for the first time in more than 20 years, will be televised by ESPN2. It is the 13th of 24 events in the $50 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series for 2001 and the first ever NHRA drag racing event for Pep Boys.
    "We're thrilled to be involved with NHRA and look forward to a great relationship," said Michele Meiers, Pep Boys' assistant vice president of advertising. "With the deep, tradition-rich history of the NHRA, it was an easy decision for Pep Boys to become part of this event."
    With 60 million racing fans nationwide and a crowd of 90,000 expected over the racing weekend, this partnership was a perfect fit for NHRA and Pep Boys, both celebrating milestone anniversaries this year.
    "Pep Boys is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, which makes the company's choice to partner with us even more meaningful as we celebrate the past 50 years of NHRA drag racing," said Bob Wagner, NHRA vice president of sales and business development. "We are proud to have such tradition connected to this race, both from Pep Boys and American Racing."
    American Racing Wheels has been involved in motorsports since its inception in 1956. Along with providing sponsorship to Top Fuel drivers Darrell Russell, Don Lampus and Pro Stock driver Tom Hammonds, American Racing Wheels also is involved with Joe Amato Racing, Orleans Motorsports, Hartman Offshore Racing and the Wheel America Tour.
    "Night drag racing is the original extreme sport," said Scott Hughes, motorsports manager for Los Angeles-based American Racing Wheels. "The NHRA's 50th anniversary race will be historic -- a true Southern California night racing event, conjuring up memories of Lion's Drag Strip, where it all started."

    About NHRA

    Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., National Hot Rod Association is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 24 national events through its NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has more than 80,000 members nationwide and more than 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series' provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series, NHRA Summit Import Drag Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Program. The NHRA also offers the NHRA Castrol GTX Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.

    About American Racing

    When American Racing began manufacturing magnesium drag racing wheels in 1956, its roots were totally in motorsports. Today American Racing is one of the largest aftermarket and original equipment wheel manufacturers in the world, owned by Noranda, Inc., an international natural resources company. With more than 2,500 employees and seven manufacturing plants, American Racing's custom wheels are sold at Pep Boys and in more than 55 countries around the world.

    About Pep Boys

    Pep Boys, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, operates 629 stores and over 6,500 service bays in 36 states and Puerto Rico. Along with its vehicle repair and maintenance capabilities, the company also serves the commercial auto parts delivery market and is one of the leading sellers of replacement tires in the United States. Customers can find the nearest location by calling 1-800-PEP-BOYS or by visiting www.pepboys.com.