Tropicana Twister Announces New Busch Series Race Sponsorship

Company Teams with SAM'S CLUB to Support NASCAR Race BRADENTON, Fla., April 19 -- Tropicana today announced a new three-year agreement to sponsor the NASCAR Busch Series race at the Chicagoland Speedway. The Tropicana Twister 300 presented by SAM'S CLUB will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2002 at 2:30 p.m. CST. (Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020419/FLF004)

Tropicana began its NASCAR involvement in 2000, when the company began a sponsorship agreement with Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Last year, the company announced a four-year commitment to sponsor the Tropicana 400.

``The inaugural Tropicana 400 was a huge success,'' said Russ Hines, senior manager, NASCAR Marketing. ``It was a great chance to connect with consumers and race fans. We want to achieve the same results for Tropicana Twister. Sponsoring the entire weekend gives us the opportunity to maximize the excitement. This year it is going to be a total Tropicana NASCAR experience.''

``We are very pleased to be able to expand our relationship with Tropicana and PepsiCo,'' said Joie Chitwood III, vice president and general manager of Chicagoland Speedway. ``Tropicana's involvement at Chicagoland Speedway during our inaugural season contributed greatly to its success and we look forward to a long-term relationship with them.''

``SAM'S CLUB was the presenting sponsor at the inaugural Chicagoland Speedway NASCAR Busch Series race,'' said Hines. ``Tropicana Twister is proud to work with them for the 2002 event.''

The weekend will include:

* Friday, July 12: SAM'S CLUB Pole Day 9-11:15 a.m. Tropicana Twister 300 Practice 11:20 a.m.-1:20 p.m. Tropicana 400 Practice 1:30 p.m. Tropicana Twister Qualifying (Two laps, all

positions) 3:05-4:30 p.m. Tropicana 400 Qualifying (Two laps, all positions) 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tropicana Twister 300 Final Practice

* Saturday, July 13: Tropicana Twister 300/True Value IROC 100 9:30-10:15 a.m. Tropicana 400 Practice 11:15 a.m.-12 p.m. Tropicana 400 Final Practice 12:30 p.m. IROC Driver Introductions 12:45 p.m. IROC 100 (67 laps, 100 miles) 2 p.m. Tropicana Twister 300 Driver Introductions 2:30 p.m. Tropicana Twister 300 (200 laps, 300 miles)

* Sunday, July 14: Tropicana 400 1 p.m. Tropicana 400 Driver Introductions 1:30 p.m. Tropicana 400 (267 laps, 400 miles)

Note: All times are Central Standard Time and are subject to change.

On-pack Promotion

Tropicana Season's Best also recently announced a major on-pack promotion in conjunction with the Tropicana 400 and 4-time Winston Cup Champion Jeff Gordon. Over 56,000 specially created, limited edition Tropicana 400 scale die-cast cars are up for grabs on specially marked 16-oz PET bottles.

As Tropicana Season's Best is ``the official juice of Jeff Gordon and the #24 racing team,'' the watch and win promotion will be broadcast live on NBC Sports during the Tropicana 400. A special ``under the cap'' number must correspond with Gordon's race position during the 24th lap. For more information, visit www.tropicana.com. For more information about either race, or to purchase tickets, please visit www.chicagolandspeedway.com.

Tropicana Products, Inc., a division of PepsiCo, Inc., is the world's leading producer and marketer of branded fruit juices. Based in Bradenton, Florida, Tropicana markets its products in the U.S. under a number of brand names, including: Tropicana Pure Premium Original, Grovestand and HomeStyle juices; Tropicana Pure Premium Calcium juices and Double Vitamin C with Vitamin E nutritionally enhanced juices; Dole juices and juice blends; Tropicana Season's Best and Pure Tropics juices; and Tropicana Twister juice beverages. The Dole brand name is licensed from Dole Food Company, Inc.