Diageo, the Maker of Smirnoff ICE, Congratulates Kurt Busch on Winning His First NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship

Busch, Smirnoff ICE Look Forward to Successful Partnering in 2005 and 2006

STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 22 -- Smirnoff ICE, a proud sponsor of Kurt Busch and his No. 97 Roush Racing Ford, congratulates the team on clinching its first NASCAR Nextel Cup championship Sunday at Homestead- Miami (Fla.) Speedway. It is the second consecutive season that a Smirnoff ICE driver (Matt Kenseth, 2003) has won the overall series points Championship Title.

It was Busch's consistency during the 10-race Chase for the Cup championship which earned him the 2004 title. Heading into today's final race, the 26-year-old had posted eight top-10 finishes, including completing a New Hampshire season sweep in winning the first 'Chase' race there in September. His other victory came at Bristol, Tenn. in July. Busch's ability to overcome numerous challenges on the track and his crew's never-say-die attitude week-in and week-out proved to be the winning formula putting him in victory lane in the end.

"On behalf of everyone at Diageo and the Smirnoff ICE team, we want to congratulate Kurt on his outstanding season and the championship," said Mark Waller, Executive Vice President, Diageo. "He set a standard of excellence on the track this year, and we look forward to having Kurt set the same standard by representing the Smirnoff ICE brand and our social responsibility message during the 2005 NASCAR season."

It's this same attitude that Busch will take with him into 2005 and his new partnership with Smirnoff ICE and its "Be Smart, Drink Responsibly" social responsibility campaign. The Las Vegas native replaced fellow Roush Racing teammate Matt Kenseth at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway last weekend, after Kenseth's two successful seasons piloting the Smirnoff ICE racecar.

"I am thrilled and excited about my new affiliation with Smirnoff ICE and the opportunity to spread the word about its responsible drinking initiative each race weekend," said Busch, who has three wins this year. "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 No. 97 Team and give us an edge."

Busch will feature the No. 97 Smirnoff ICE "Be Smart, Drink Responsibly" 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 No. 97 racecar for the remaining races in 2005. The sponsorship also includes driver appearances, No. 97 Smirnoff ICE show cars and official flavored malt beverage status at select racing venues, image rights and a large hospitality program. The Smirnoff ICE sponsorship with Roush Racing will continue through the 2006 season.

About Diageo:

Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines, and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines. Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 200 countries around the world. 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/.

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