Cauley Corvette Presented by Highlander
DETROIT, Mich. (January 2, 2004) -- Specter Werkes Sports and Cauley Chevrolet announced that they have teamed for the Rolex 24 At Daytona to field the No. 24 Cauley Corvette GTR, which will feature a promotion with the Highlander television series DVD box sets. "We are very excited having the Highlander promotional tie-in with this year's entry," said Jeff Cauley, president of Michigan-based Cauley Chevrolet. We felt this was a great way to bring our effort to the front of the field both competitively and promotionally. We'll be working with the folks at Anchor Bay Entertainment to promote their Highlander, Xena and Hercules TV series box sets on DVD. They will continue their promotion after the event by featuring the car throughout the Daytona SpeedWeeks. This is a perfect marketing combination for them and for our racing program with Specter Werkes." As the Specter Werkes team readies the car for this weekend's testing, a complete graphics package is being created featuring the Highlander television series to promote the product and motorsports to Highlander fans. "This is a very unique opportunity," added Tom Bambard of Anchor Bay Entertainment. "We feel the demographics of motorsports, and road racing in particular, line up extremely well with our target audience. It brings action and excitement to the table -- just the way Highlander fans like it. We're extremely pleased to be working with an experienced group like Specter Werkes and Cauley. Make no mistake, we're looking to run up front." The No. 24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by Highlander will be driven by 2003 SCCA sedan national champion John Heinricy of Holly, Mich., 1993 SCCA GT champion and president of Specter Werkes Jeff Nowicki of Birmingham, Mich., NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Tom Bambard of South Lyon, Mich., and, in his rookie year, Richard Berry of Denver, Colo. Race fans can watch pre-season testing at Daytona International Speedway, January 3-5, free of charge from the Oldfield grandstands located behind DAYTONA USA. Access to the grandstands is available through the DAYTONA USA lobby. The 42nd Anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona will be held January 29 - February 1. Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 386-253-RACE. For additional information on the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series, pre-season testing or the Rolex 24 At Daytona, visit www.grandamerican.com. -30- For additional information contact: John Thawley, 248.356.5699 Sonia Soroka, 248.583.9559 Press Release Jimmy Johnson Joins Leitzinger, Forbes-Robinson, Brule in Crawford Daytona Prototype for Rolex 24 At Daytona DENVER, N.C. (January 2, 2004) -- Howard-Boss Motorsports and Crawford Race Cars announced today that former Rolex 24 At Daytona winners Butch Leitzinger and Elliott Forbes-Robinson (EFR) will team with car owner Dave Brule and NASCAR Superstar Jimmie Johnson to drive the No. 4 Boss Snowplow DP03 Daytona Prototype entry in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. "With the addition of Jimmie Johnson, our driver lineup is complete," said Brule, owner/driver of the No. 4 Boss Snowplow Daytona Prototype. "As car owner, I couldn't be more pleased with the talent we've assembled. Elliott and Butch have five overall Rolex 24 At Daytona wins and incredible racing histories. Jimmie has obviously proven his ability to drive just about anything and is clearly one of the rising stars in NASCAR. I'm also quite pleased with the blend of personalities. These guys have been absolutely great to work with. Not only are they extremely professional, they are fun to be around." "Both Rick Howard and I are pleased with the (test) results at Homestead and are looking forward to its (DP03 Daytona Prototype) first run at Daytona," Brule continued. Plus, we can't say enough about the effort put in by Max (Crawford) and the team at Crawford Race Cars -- they've been superb." "We're extremely delighted that Dave Brule chose us to be his manufacturer," Crawford stated. "And, we're also honored to be associated with Howard-Boss Motorsports. We're delighted to have someone of his caliber come over to run in the Rolex Series. We're also pleased to be associated once again with Elliott and Butch. Plus, we welcome Jimmie Johnson into what Dave Brule calls 'The Family Plan'." Butch Leitzinger, a road racing veteran from State College, Pa., has won the Rolex 24 At Daytona three times in his twelve career starts. Leitzinger was a member of the winning team in 1994, 1997 and 1999. Coincidentally, Leitzinger and Forbes-Robinson teamed for the '97 and '99 victories with Crawford as their crew chief. "I've known Max and Jan Crawford for a long time, and have worked with them on several occasions," Leitzinger said. "When I learned that they were building a Daytona Prototype car, I called EFR and wanted to be involved with this program. I met Dave Brule several years ago, and he's a real gentleman. I am really happy to be a part of this team and have the opportunity to compete in the Rolex 24 At Daytona." Forbes-Robinson will be making his 19th career start in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Along with his two victories teaming with Leitzinger in '97 and '99, EFR has earned six top-five and eight top-10 finishes in the prestigious twice around the clock event. "The Crawfords have worked very hard on the new DP03 Daytona Prototype car," EFR commented. "Howard-Boss Motorsports has a great group of drivers in their cars, and I feel as though we have as good a shot as anyone in the race." -more- Jimmie Johnson will be making his first-ever start in the Rolex 24 At Daytona after finishing second in the NASCAR Nextel Cup standings in 2003. Johnson posted three wins and captured two Bud Pole Awards as well as winning The Winston in May. "I am really excited to be participating in such a prestigious race," Johnson stated. The Leitzinger, EFR, Brule and Johnson team will have the support of Action Performance Companies and Chevrolet for the Rolex 24 At Daytona. "I'm thrilled that Jimmie Johnson will participate in his first Rolex 24 At Daytona, giving his fans the opportunity to see him compete in a different setting," commented Fred Wagenhals, Action Performance Chairman, President and CEO. "Action Performance has a strong relationship with Jimmie and will support this program with officially licensed merchandise." Gary Claudio, GM Racing Group Marketing Manager, remarked, GM Racing and Chevrolet are pleased to be involved with this endeavor. With the addition of Jimmy Johnson, three of our NASCAR Chevrolet drivers will be participating in this event with Howard-Boss Motorsports, making this event exciting for the fans as well as the competitors. GM Racing is proud to be associated with Howard-Boss Motorsports, Crawford Race Cars and the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series." Howard-Boss Motorsports will participate in pre-season testing at Daytona International Speedway, January 3-5. Admission to the Oldfield grandstands during testing is free of change and can be accessed through the lobby of DAYTONA USA. Tickets to the 42nd Anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 29 - February 1, are currently on sale and can be purchased online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com. Additional information on the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series and the Rolex 24 At Daytona is available at www.grandamerican.com. Rolex Sports Car Series Testing at Daytona International Speedway This Weekend What: The Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series will participate in pre-season testing at Daytona International Speedway this weekend in preparation for the season-opening 42nd Anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. When: Saturday, January 3 - Monday, January 5, 2004 Where: Daytona International Speedway's 3.56-mile road course Who: Many of the world's best road racers will be on hand for the test session, as well as top names from other major racing series such as the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Credentials: Media wishing to attend the pre-season testing should fax their credential request to Daytona International Speedway at 386-947-6798. For questions regarding credentials, call 386-947- 6745. Info: Daytona International Speedway's 2004 Rolex 24 At Daytona press kit is available online. Members of the media can log onto www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/media and download press releases, the Rolex 24 schedule, pictures and logos that can assist you in covering the 42nd Anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona and this weekend's pre-season testing. Additional information on the Rolex Sports Car Series and pre-season testing is available online at www.grandamerican.com. Members of the media can access high-resolution headshots and daily photos from pre-season testing on Grand American's media website at www.grandamerican.com/media.