Spark Plugs Power Kurt Busch's #97 Ford To Victory in NASCAR Racing

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 29 -- Champion(R) spark plugs contributed to hard-fought victories in Sunday's NASCAR Winston Cup Auto Club 500 in Fontana, California, and NHRA Mac Tools Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tennessee. It was the third time this year that cars equipped with "The World's Favorite Spark Plug" claimed victories in both series over the same weekend. Champion spark plugs are manufactured and marketed by Federal- Mogul Corporation.

Kurt Busch became the first two-time winner of the young Winston Cup season as his #97 Ford passed Jamie McMurray with 12 laps to go and held off a challenge by Rusty Wallace to secure the win at California Speedway. Another Champion-powered driver -- Bobby Labonte (#18 Chevrolet) -- finished second.

Busch's win propelled him into fourth place overall in Winston Cup points; two drivers ahead of him -- points leader Matt Kenseth (#17 Ford) and runner- up Dale Earnhardt Jr. (#8 Chevrolet) -- also rely on Champion plugs.

In NHRA POWERade drag racing, rookie Brandon Bernstein captured his third Top Fuel championship in just six 2003 starts with a 0.25-second final-round advantage over veteran Doug Herbert. Bernstein, now the POWERade points leader, was the event's top qualifier, followed in succession by two other Champion-powered Top Fuel entries, Larry Dixon and Tony Schumacher.

"It's very unusual for one brand of spark plugs to enjoy this level of success in most major forms of professional racing," said Champion Marketing Director Garth Cole. "This is further proof that the most talented and aggressive professionals demand proven spark technologies for their engines, regardless of make, model or type of competition."

Champion is the brand of choice for many of the most aggressive young drivers in NASCAR Winston Cup racing, including Busch, Labonte, Kenseth, Earnhardt, reigning Winston Cup champion Tony Stewart (#20 Chevrolet), Kyle Petty (#45 Dodge), Steve Park (#1 Chevrolet), and John Andretti (#43 Dodge).

In addition to Bernstein, Dixon and Schumacher, NHRA professionals choosing Champion over all other brands are Doug Kalitta in Top Fuel and Whit Bazemore, Ron Capps, Tommy Johnson Jr., Scotty Cannon, and Gary Scelzi in Funny Car.

Champion is the number-one brand among automotive technicians, as well. And it's easier to rely on Champion for any automotive tune-up through 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/ .