Rookie Brandon Bernstein Sparks Yet Another Champion(R) Victory At NHRA Gatornationals

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 17 -- The early-season drag racing titles keep piling up for "The World's Favorite Spark Plug," as rookie Brandon Bernstein's Champion(R)-powered Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel Dragster ran away from the field in yesterday's National Hot Rod Association Mac Tools Gatornationals at Gainesville (Florida) Raceway. Champion spark plugs are manufactured and marketed by Federal-Mogul Corporation.

The preferred technology for professional automotive technicians servicing all makes and models, Champion plugs have dominated the grueling Top Fuel and Funny Car categories through the season's first three NHRA POWERade Drag Racing events. Sunday's win was Bernstein's second straight, while Top Fuel points leader Larry Dixon -- whose Miller Light Dragster also is powered by Champion plugs -- claimed the season opener in Pomona, California.

"When you need to run 327 miles per hour and produce more 6,000 horsepower while covering a quarter-mile in four-and-a-half seconds, you absolutely have to have the best spark plug," said Champion Marketing Director Garth Cole. "We're very proud that the world's most successful racing teams prefer Champion above all other brands."

Bernstein's second win of 2003 also marks the second of his professional career -- he moved up from the Top Alcohol Dragster sportsman class at the end of last season to replace his father, the now-retired Kenny Bernstein, who won 66 NHRA national events and was the first man to break the sport's 300-mph barrier.

Automotive technicians who want to achieve the perfect combination of power and performance in virtually any vehicle make or model now can rely on the enhanced technology and expanded coverage of Champion Double Platinum(TM) spark plugs. Available for nearly 300 additional late-model General Motors models, Champion Double Platinum plugs feature exclusive Heat-Active(TM) alloy electrodes that quickly reach optimal operating temperature and maintain stable temperatures under varying heat loads. Each plug also utilizes a precision-welded fine wire center electrode for a more focused spark, producing greater power for quicker acceleration and a smoother idle.

For more information on Champion spark plugs, contact your nearest Champion supplier or write to: Champion Marketing, Federal-Mogul Corp., 26555 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48034. Product and promotional information also are available online at: www.federal-mogul.com/champion .

Federal-Mogul is a global supplier of automotive components and sub- systems serving the world's original equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket. The company utilizes its engineering and materials expertise, proprietary technology, manufacturing skill, distribution flexibility and marketing power to deliver products, brands and services of value to its customers. Federal-Mogul is focused on the globalization of its teams, products and processes to bring greater opportunities for its customers and employees, and value to its constituents. Headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, Federal-Mogul was founded in Detroit in 1899 and today employs 47,000 people in 24 countries. For more information on Federal-Mogul, visit the company's web site at http://www.federal-mogul.com/ .

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