Smirnoff Ice NASCAR Sponsorship to Kurt Busch for 2005-2006 Seasons

STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 12, 2004 -- After two successful seasons with Matt Kenseth and the #17 car, the Smirnoff Ice "Be Smart, Drink Responsibly" sponsorship is shifting drivers to Kurt Busch and the #97 Roush Racing Sharpie/Irwin car for the 2005 and 2006 racing seasons. The move was precipitated by DEWALT, the #17 Team's primary sponsor, retaining full sponsorship opportunity within its own business.

"We are extremely proud of our relationship with Matt Kenseth and the overwhelming success of the "Be Smart, Drink Responsibly Program," said James Stammer, marketing director for Smirnoff Ice. "Last season we reached more than 100 million racing fans with our responsibility message and we look forward to continuing this success and keeping Smirnoff Ice at the front of the NASCAR field with Kurt."

"I am honored to have worked with such a great sponsor and brand for the last two years in Smirnoff Ice," said Kenseth. "It was great to play an important role in its 'Be Smart, Drink Responsibly' awareness campaign, and that we're able to reach millions of consumers. I am glad that Smirnoff Ice is remaining in the Roush Racing family. Kurt Busch will be a great ambassador for the brand."

With 11 career NASCAR Cup victories and the current leader in the Chase for the Cup Championship, Busch, 26, is clearly one of NASCAR's rising stars. On the track, his competitive style of racing gives Smirnoff Ice an excellent chance to add another championship title to the one delivered last year by Kenseth. Off the track, Busch presents Smirnoff Ice with a contemporary image in line with the brand and its consumers.

"I am thrilled and excited about partnering with Smirnoff Ice and helping spread the word about its responsible drinking initiative each race weekend," said Busch. "I know Smirnoff Ice was a big supporter of Matt on the racetrack for the last two years, and I'm hoping a little of that will rub off on the #97 Team and give us an edge."

Kurt will kick off the Smirnoff Ice sponsorship on November 14, during the Mountain Dew Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, where he will unveil his #97 Smirnoff Ice racecar for the first time. Kurt will also feature the #97 Smirnoff Ice racecar at three primary races in 2005: May 29 at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte; July 2 at Daytona International Speedway; and September 5 at the California Speedway. Smirnoff Ice will be an associate sponsor of the #97 racecar for the remaining races in 2005. The sponsorship also includes driver appearances, #97 Smirnoff Ice show cars and official flavored malt beverage status at select racing venues, image rights and a large hospitality program.

About Diageo:

Diageo makes beer, wine, and spirit products, with more than 300 brands sold in nearly 200 countries around the world. These brands include Johnnie Walker(R), Guinness(R), Smirnoff(R), J&B(R), Baileys(R), Jose Cuervo(R), Tanqueray(R), Captain Morgan(R), and Beaulieu Vineyard(R) and Sterling Vineyards(R) wines. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com/.

About Roush Racing:

Roush Racing is a subsidiary of Livonia, Mich., based Roush Industries that operates nine motorsports teams; five in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series with drivers Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards; two in the NASCAR Busch Series with Martin, Kenseth and Biffle; and two in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with drivers Jon Wood and Edwards.

  For more information, visit our website at http://www.roushracing.com/.