Best Western Busch Series Show Car to Make Pit Stop at Sterling Inn June 7-8

Official Hotel of Nascar Promotes Partnership with Michael Waltrip's No. 99 Chevrolet

PHOENIX, June 4 -- The Best Western Busch Series show car will make a pit stop next week at the Best Western Sterling Inn Banquet & Conference Center in Sterling Heights, MI, in conjunction with the company's annual district meetings.

The No. 99 Best Western Chevrolet will be available for viewing by the general public on Monday and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The car will be located in front of the hotel at 34911 Van Dyke Avenue at 15 Mile Road.

NASCAR fans will have the opportunity to get up-close to a replica of the car veteran Michael Waltrip will actually drive in the Basha's Supermarkets 200 on Saturday, November 6, at Phoenix International Raceway.

"This is a very exciting time for Best Western and a great partnership for us," said Roman Jaworowicz, Best Western board director and owner of the Best Western Highland Inn & Conference Centre in Midland, Ontario, Canada. "The power of NASCAR is tremendous. Many Best Western guests are die-hard fans, and our association with the sport has already created opportunities to attract new customers."

"As a member of the Best Western family, we are thrilled to bring the No. 99 Busch Series Show Car to the people of greater Detroit," added General Manager Victor Martin of The Sterling Inn. "Our city is home to a loyal NASCAR fan base. Through special events such as this, we hope to capture the excitement of this incredibly popular sport within our own backyard."

During next week's district meetings, more than 300 Best Western hotel owners, general managers and sales directors from throughout the Midwest, Great Lakes region and Ontario will gather to discuss the company's new marketing initiatives, including its sponsorship of NASCAR.

In January 2004, Best Western International entered into a three-year agreement as the sport's first-ever Official Hotel. The company also serves as an associate sponsor of Waltrip and the Dale Earnhardt, Inc.-owned No. 15 NAPA Chevrolet on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. This fall, Best Western will be the primary sponsor of Waltrip's No. 99 NASCAR Busch Series Car at Phoenix.

In addition, Best Western has joined NASCAR in sponsoring the Victory Junction Gang Camp, opening later this month in Randleman, NC, for children with chronic illnesses.

Exclusive new customer benefits resulting from the NASCAR partnership include Speed Rewards(TM), a free, frequent guest program designed specifically for race enthusiasts. As members, individuals can earn valuable points which are redeemable for NASCAR-licensed merchandise such as jackets and caps; free room nights anywhere in the world; dining and shopping certificates; along with special sweepstakes and promotional offerings.

For more information on Best Western/NASCAR activities, visit www.bestwestern.com/racing.

Best Western International is THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN(R) with more than 4,100 hotels in 82 countries and territories. It is a membership association of independently owned and operated hotels that provides marketing, reservations and operational support to its members.

The Best Western Sterling Inn Banquet & Conference Center located at the southwest corner of Van Dyke and 15 Mile Road in Sterling Heights is a luxurious 250 room full service hotel, banquet and conference center offering many amenities including a 22,769 sq. ft. indoor water park. The indoor water park features a 5,000 sq. ft. zero entry swimming pool with a three-story water slide, lazy river, vortex, geysers bubble seats, full-time lifeguards, indoor running track, state-of-the-art fitness center, video game arcade, two large whirlpools, locker rooms with men's and women's saunas, and a poolside snack bar with full bar service. The property also features dining at the award-winning Loon River Cafe and a 15,000 sq. ft. ballroom accommodating up to 1,400 guests. For more information, please call Susan Bullotta, Director of Marketing, (586) 979-1400.