AAA Chicago at Chicago Auto Show - With NASCAR Nextel Cup Race Car and Racing Simulator

WHAT: AAA Chicago parent company, The Auto Club Group, has signed a contract with Roush Racing to sponsor the No. 99 AAA Ford Taurus, driven by Carl Edwards, at NASCAR Nextel Cup Series races in 2005. A full-size replica of the race car will be on display at the Chicago Auto Show. A Roush Racing Simulator, an exact replica of the race car, will also be on display for media members to test their driving skills in a virtual experience of roaring around the track at 175 miles per hour.

Media representatives who post the fastest time in their racing categories will each earn a cash donation of $1,000 to their favorite charity, courtesy of AAA Chicago. The media competition includes Print (newspaper or magazine), Radio, Television and Web. The charity partner for the overall top scorer will receive an additional $1,000 from AAA.

Announcement of media winners will be made at 3:30 p.m. February 10.

WHEN: Media hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. February 9 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. February 10. The simulator will also be operating for guests during "First Look for Charity Preview " from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Feb. 10. The race car and simulator will be on display during the general show, from Feb. 11 through 20. The public is welcome to test driving skills on the simulator during posted hours.

WHERE: McCormick Center's S Building, Space 104, near the Jaguar exhibit.

WHY: Sponsorship of a car and driver on the hugely popular NASCAR racing circuit will help raise AAA's profile with the many fans of this major spectator sport. The sponsorship ties into AAA's century-long commitment to supporting continued improvement in vehicle safety. Many of the safety features taken for granted on today's passenger vehicles, such as lap-and- shoulder safety belts and hydraulic brakes, were introduced and perfected in race cars. NASCAR races will continue to be the proving ground for new safety equipment. The AAA clubs that comprise The Auto Club Group are pleased and proud to help support that progress.

The Auto Club Group, based in Dearborn, Michigan, is the largest AAA affiliate in the Midwest and includes the Auto Club Insurance Association as well as six AAA clubs: AAA Chicago, AAA Michigan, AAA Minnesota/Iowa, AAA Nebraska, AAA North Dakota and AAA Wisconsin. ACG serves approximately 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG is the first AAA affiliate to sponsor a car in the Nextel Cup Series.