Thomas Pacconi Classics Daytona Recap

Contact: John McDonnell
Thomas Pacconi Classics, Inc.
(610) 738-7213

Thomas Pacconi Classics Makes its NASCAR Busch Series Debut

Rookie Driver Shane Hmiel Turns Heads in Opener
With Top-5 Finish in GNC LiveWell 300 at Daytona

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.  (Feb. 18, 2002) -- Thomas Pacconi Classics, Inc.
(TPC) has entered the world of NASCAR racing with its sponsorship of the #47
Chevrolet Monte Carlo, owned by Innovative Motorsports, Inc. (IMI) of
Concord, NC. In a deal struck with team owner George deBidart, TPC will be
backing the #47 car for the entire 34-race 2002 Busch Grand National Series
schedule.

"We're thrilled to be part of the Busch Series," said TPC president Thomas
Pacconi, Jr. TPC is the leading consumer products merchandising company that
develops, designs, manufactures and merchandises a broad spectrum of
household products, ranging from seasonal decorations to furniture, tabletop
wares to toys, jewelry to lawn and garden accessories. Already hugely
successful with a diverse line of products in the fast-growing field of
NASCAR collectibles, TPC is a household name on industry-leading cable
television retailer QVC.

"With the success we've seen on QVC's 'For Race Fans Only' weekly NASCAR
merchandise program, teaming up with IMI is the right thing to do," Pacconi
Jr., said.  "George deBidart and I agree that his experience in the NASCAR
world, coupled with ours in sourcing every imaginable consumer product,
makes this type of cooperation a natural."

After months of planning, IMI was able to prepare the TPC #47 Chevrolet for
its debut at the NASCAR Busch Series 2002 kickoff at the GNC LiveWell 300 at
Daytona on Feb. 16. "Some of our people are longstanding race fans.  But, I
have to admit, this is my very first exposure to racing," Pacconi, Jr.,
said. "I can see that we have a
tightly knit team. Shane's my kind of guy, watching the personal and
professional relationship he shares
with his father (Steve Hmiel of Dale Earnhardt, Inc.) reminds me of me and
my father."

Young driver Shane Hmiel was excited to have a full-season ride in the Busch
Series. Showing he was serious about his abilities and desires, he drove
excellent practice laps all week leading up to the race.  He qualified 13th
for Saturday's race. Despite a wet beginning to the day, resulting in a
two-and-a-half-hour delay, the race was run in its entirety. When the
checkered flag fell, Hmiel had exceeded everyone's wildest expectations in
the IMI and TPC camp by finishing in the top five.

"Fifth place is excellent," Hmiel said. "It's a testament to how good the
Thomas Pacconi Classics team is. All I want to say is, 'Good job to Junior
[race winner Dale Earnhardt, Jr.] and everybody that finished in front of
us.' But fifth is like winning to us with that Wagner horsepower."

As for what comes next, Hmiel added, "We go to Rockingham. We're going to
run all the races and try to become this year's Raybestos Rookie of the
Year. This is a good start. I don't know how much better you can start,
other than winning."

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Editor's Note:  Background information on Thomas Pacconi Classics, Inc. can
be found at www.pacconi.com.