Johnson Controls Renews its Sponsorship With Rocketsports Racing

PLYMOUTH, Mich., April 2 -- Johnson Controls has renewed its primary sponsorship with Lansing, Michigan-based Rocketsports Racing for the 2002 Trans-Am Series season. The announcement was made today by team owner/driver Paul Gentilozzi and Bob Ellis, vice president of marketing and communications for Johnson Controls.

Three-time Trans-Am Series champion Gentilozzi will again handle the driving responsibilities, piloting the No. 3 Johnson Controls Jaguar XKR. The 2002 racing season marks Johnson Controls' fifth season with Rocketsports Racing in Trans-Am competition.

``This will be the fifth year of our partnership with Johnson Controls which is somewhat unusual in motorsports, much less in road racing,'' said Gentilozzi. ``Our team has enjoyed significant success over the last several years, in which Johnson Controls has played a pivotal role. Having a Fortune 150 company like Johnson Controls as a sponsor really elevates the prestige of the team and the series.''

In 2001, Gentilozzi collected six poles and four victories, including three consecutive wins. His Mid-Ohio flag-to-flag race win clinched the Manufacturers' Championship for Jaguar for the first time since 1978. Gentilozzi also was voted to the AARWBA All-American First Team for the third time in four years. His tenure in the Trans-Am Series has produced numerous series records. He ranks first in all-time top-three (55), top-five (86), and top-ten finishes (114), laps led (1,376), lead lap finishes (112), as well as fastest race laps (30), race starts (173) and ``Fast Five'' starts (103).

``Johnson Controls is proud to support Trans-Am champion Paul Gentilozzi again this season,'' said Ellis. ``Paul is a quality person, a great race driver and an outstanding advocate for Johnson Controls' reputation and its products. His winning tradition and attitude -- and his ability to do what it takes to be a winner -- also is what Johnson Controls is all about.''