Coca-Cola C2 Races Into Daytona

Eight of NASCAR's Top Drivers to Run Coca-Cola C2 Cars Over Fourth of July Weekend

ATLANTA, June 17 -- Eight Coca-Cola C2 race cars will hit the track at Daytona over the Fourth of July weekend to help promote the newest soft drink from Coca-Cola, making it one of Coca-Cola's largest race weekend NASCAR promotions in the history of the company.

The Coca-Cola C2 cars will be driven in the July 3 Nextel Cup race by members of The Coca-Cola Racing Family, including Tony Stewart (#20), Bill Elliott (#98), Ricky Rudd (#21), Kurt Busch (#97), Greg Biffle (#16), Jeff Burton (#99), John Andretti (#1), and Kevin Harvick (#29). The Coca-Cola C2 race cars each will feature a unique take on the brand's signature red and black colors, and the drivers will wear Coca-Cola C2 fire suits as well.

Coca-Cola C2 is a new soft drink created by The Coca-Cola Company that offers the great Coca-Cola taste consumers want with fewer carbs and calories than regular colas. For NASCAR fans who have yet to try new Coca-Cola C2, there will be extensive sampling opportunities in and around the Daytona area over Independence Day weekend.

"We are revving up our engines and rolling out Coca-Cola C2 all over the country right now, and when eight Coca-Cola C2 cars take to the track on July 3, we'll be at full speed," said Javier Benito, president, U.S. Retail Division and chief marketing officer, Coca-Cola North America. "What better way to introduce NASCAR fans to America's hottest new soft drink than to field an 8-pack of the best drivers in NASCAR in 700-horsepower Coca-Cola C2 cars?"

An extensive line of Coca-Cola C2-themed racing collectibles has been created by Action Performance, Team Caliber and other suppliers to commemorate this special program, including die-cast cars, clothing, and other items. A portion of proceeds from the sale of Coca-Cola C2 merchandise will be donated to a NASCAR-related charity.

Television coverage of the 400-mile Daytona race on July 3 is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. EDT on FOX, and also will be broadcast on the radio on the Motor Racing Network (MRN).

Coca-Cola classic is the Official Soft Drink of NASCAR. Through its association with tracks and race teams, The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partners have been involved in NASCAR for more than 30 years. This past Memorial Day weekend The Coca-Cola 600 celebrated its 20th anniversary, the longest continuous sponsorship of any race in NASCAR.

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's best-known brand, the Company markets four of the world's top five soft drink brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite, and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light soft drinks, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees and sports drinks. Through the world's largest distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate exceeding 1 billion servings each day. For more information about The Coca-Cola Company, please visit our website at http://www.coca-cola.com/ .