Pontiac Announces Grand Prix Daytona 500 Pace Car Design Contest

DETROIT, Aug. 29 -- To celebrate both the new 2004 Grand Prix and Grand Prix's role as the official pace car of the 2003 Daytona 500, fans will have the chance to write their own name in racing history by designing the ultimate Daytona pace car.

Teaming up with NASCAR.com, America Online and Electronic Art, Pontiac will offer NASCAR fans the opportunity to submit proposals for the pace car's paint scheme through an innovative on-line system and vote for their favorite. Using a unique set of software programs, fans can unleash their creativity by electronically designing a complete pace car paint scheme on a three-dimensional model of the vehicle.

"Unlike most sweepstakes, this is really a contest of skill and creativity," said Bob Kraut, marketing director for the Grand Prix. "We know that NASCAR and Pontiac fans have a lot of enthusiasm and we wanted to tap into that passion for this new pace car."

The two-phase promotion begins with race fans submitting their design proposals online at http://www.pontiacracing.com from September 6 through October 11. Pontiac will then narrow the list down to five finalists from all the entries submitted. The five finalists will then be posted on the website and fans will get a chance to vote for their favorite design beginning October 25 through November 26.

Each of the five finalists will win a trip to the 2003 Daytona 500 taking place in Daytona Beach, Fla. next February. The winning design will be unveiled in a special ceremony just before the race on Sunday, February 16, 2003.

"This Pontiac pace car promotion is a great way to leverage the passion and creativity of NASCAR fans and marry them to the Pontiac Brand," said NASCAR Vice President of Corporate Marketing Brett Yormark. "The pace car is such a significant element of the race weekend and Pontiac is allowing our fans to have a little fun in designing it."

The winner of the design contest will receive a special parade lap around the Daytona International Speedway track in the official Pontiac Grand Prix Daytona 500 Pace Car driven by Vin Diesel, star of the action-packed film "xXx" now in theaters.

Pontiac is a division of General Motors Corporation. The division markets the Vibe, Sunfire, Grand Am, Grand Prix, Aztek and Bonneville. Pontiac has the youngest buyers in General Motors and among the youngest in the industry.

General Motors, the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide, and has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. More information on GM can be found at http://www.gm.com.