Max Papis Wins Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race

    Max Papis Takes First Overall and in Professional Category at the
   2004 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race - Chris McDonald is the Celebrity Winner




       LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 17, 2004) - In a rain-slicked race to the finish line, Cracking

Up star Chris McDonald was the first celebrity to capture the checkered flag at the 28th annual

Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, while Lexus-powered Grand Am driver Max Papis finished first overall

and in the Pro category.

       "This year's race was, by far, one of the most competitive ever," said Les Unger, national

motorsports manager with Toyota Motor Sales. "The racing field was filled with drivers who take

life to the extreme - and their incredible drive to perform was evidenced today.  That's what the

Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race is all about."



RACE HIGHLIGHTS

       McDonald came from a third place starting position to capture the checkered flag in the

celebrity category.  Early on, The Bachelor star Andrew Firestone and Access Hollywood

correspondent Tony Potts raced neck-and-neck for the first place position until both drivers slid into

the tire barrier.  Chris McDonald was able to break away from the pack and finished with an

unbelievable seven-second lead.


       In the professional category, Papis triumphed over jetski champion Mike Follmer and former

Toyota Pro/Celebrity race winners Peter Reckell (NBC's Days of Our Lives) and Olympian Dara

Torres.  Papis' win today marked yet another illustrious win in his racing career, which includes

victories in CART and sports car racing.

       The final standings for the field are:

       Overall Winner:
       1.     Max Papis - 18:48.793


       Celebrity Category:
       1.     Chris McDonald - 18:50.799
       2.     Andrew Firestone - 18:57.499
       3.     Tony Potts - 18:58.299
       4.     Sean Astin - 19:03.877
       5.     Frankie Muniz - 19:12.782
       6.     Carlos Bernard - 19:17.282
       7.     Melissa Joan Hart - 19:32.605
       8.     Laila Ali - 19:40.636
       9.     Andrea Parker - 19:42.937
       10.    Cliff Cummings - 19:47.828
       11.    Liza Snyder - 20:17.696
       12.    Lil' Kim - -1 lap
       13.    Jill Pasant - -3


       Pro Category:
       1.     Max Papis - 18:48.793
       2.     Dara Torres - 19:03.564
       3.     Mike Follmer - 19:21.782
       4.     Peter Reckell - -1


       During the last 15 years, Toyota has raised close to $1.5 million for "Racing for Kids," a

national fund-raising program that benefits children's hospitals, including Long Beach and Orange

County.  The 10-lap race will be broadcast in its entirety on The pee Channel on May 2 at 1:30

p.m. and 10:30 p.m., May 3 at 2:30 a.m., May 7 at 10 p.m., and May 9 at 2:30 p.m.  All broadcast

times are EST.