Jamie McMurray Announces "Drive for a Cure" Awareness Campaign

Media Contact: Jason Wise

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates

(704) 500-6121, jwise@ganassi.com

 

-For Immediate Release-

 

Jamie McMurray Announces "Drive for a Cure" Awareness Campaign

 

Ft. Worth, Texas, (April 2, 2004) --- NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver
Jamie McMurray hopes to create awareness and raise money for the Autism
Society of America during his "Drive for a Cure" charity promotion
announced today at Texas Motor Speedway.

 

Throughout the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season, McMurray will donate $42
for every lap he leads to the Autism Society of America. In addition,
the Joplin, Mo. native will donate $42 for every pole he wins in 2004.

 

So far during the 2004 season, McMurray has led a total of 116 laps,
equaling $4,872 in money raised for the Autism Society of America.

 

"I'm really excited about partnering up with the Autism Society of
America," McMurray said. "As some people know, my niece is autistic, so
this charity hits close to home for me. Hopefully we'll lead a lot of
laps this year and win some poles so people become more aware of autism
and its effects on the individuals and families affected by it. I feel
fortunate that I'm in a position to help out in this way."

 

ChevronTexaco, who sponsors McMurray's No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge in
the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, is showing its commitment to this program
by announcing today that it will match Jamie's pledges during the 2004
season.

 

For every lap and pole McMurray leads and wins in 2004, ChevronTexaco
will match the $42 pledge. 

"In partnering with Jamie McMurray the success of the No. 42
Texaco/Havoline car will create greater awareness of autism," said Ann
Barker, Director of Motorsports & Licensing for ChevronTexaco. "We offer
our donation and encourage participation by the No. 42 fans in
purchasing Drive for the Cure merchandise to support Jamie, his family
and the so many others living with autism."

"The Autism Society of America is so grateful to Jamie, ChevronTexaco,
and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates for their thoughtful and
generous initiative," said Artie Kempner, Autism Society of America
Board Member and Coordinating Director of NASCAR on FOX. "The number of
children being diagnosed with autism is growing at an alarming rate, and
we need to find the cause and the cure for this disorder. Jamie's
efforts will not only raise much needed money for research, but will
also generate great public awareness."

 

Demonstrating its one-team approach philosophy, Chip Ganassi Racing with
Felix Sabates also announced today that it will match McMurray's $42
pledges during the 2004 season.

 

With the three pledge matches combined, McMurray, ChevronTexaco and Chip
Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates have already raised $14,616 for the
Autism Society of America.

 

To help activate the charity promotion, Action Performance has created a
special "Drive for the Cure" t-shirt and decal that will be sold
trackside and through retail. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of
the merchandise will go to the Autism Society of America.

 

McMurray will join fellow NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers on May 25 for the
Elliott Sadler "Race for Hope" Celebrity Race at NASCAR Speedpark in
Concord, N.C.

 

To learn more about autism or to make a donation, call 1-800-3AUTISM or
visit www.autism-society.org <http://www.autism-society.org/> .

 

-30-

 

 

Jason Wise

Media Relations

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates

Office: (704) 662-9642, ext. 1125

Cell: (704) 500-6121

Email: jwise@ganassi.com