ChevronTexaco Selects Home123 as Associate Sponsor of #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge

SAN RAMON, Calif.--Feb. 2, 20055, 2005--ChevronTexaco Products Company (CTPC), a division of Chevron USA Inc., announced today it has signed Home123 Corporation, a subsidiary of New Century Financial Corporation, as an associate sponsor of the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge in the 2005 National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) Nextel Cup season.

"Texaco/Havoline's 18-year racing heritage, as well as its recent success with Jamie McMurray behind the wheel, has generated strong interest from a variety of companies in co-sponsorship of the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge," said Mark Nelson, President, ChevronTexaco Global Lubricants. "ChevronTexaco chose to join with Home123 as both companies share a commitment to the communities they serve and a desire to communicate more effectively with a specific customer target: NASCAR fans."

In choosing an associate corporate sponsor, ChevronTexaco weighed its options against three critical criteria: a similar value system, a symbiotic customer base from which each company could expand sales, and a mutual agreement on a list of priority races for the 2005 season.

Through the new marketing agreement, Home123 will have primary sponsorship rights for six NASCAR Nextel Cup races including Phoenix (April 23rd), Michigan (June 19th), Daytona (July 2nd), Chicago (July 10th), Watkins Glen (August 14th) and Fontana (September 9th). During those races, the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge, piloted by Jamie McMurray, will be painted with a blue and white Home123 color scheme.

In addition, Home123 will support Jamie McMurray's charitable cause, "Driving Autism Awareness," by matching the $42 donations each being made by McMurray, ChevronTexaco and Chip Ganassi Racing for every lap McMurray leads in the 2005 season. With Home123's additional financial commitment, each lap that McMurray leads during the 2005 season will generate $168 in donations to assist with autism research and public education. All proceeds from "Driving Autism Awareness" will be given to the Autism Society of America.

"Home123 is thrilled to be a new sponsor of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, and we are especially pleased to be doing so in conjunction with ChevronTexaco and the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge," said Patrick J. Flanagan, chief executive officer of Home123. "Because of the company's long racing heritage and years of NASCAR promotion experience, we believe this relationship provides a great opportunity for us to generate awareness for the Home123 brand."

The 2005 season marks Texaco/Havoline's 18th consecutive year as sponsor in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Through its long-term sponsorship of motorsports, Texaco/Havoline Racing tests its products in the most demanding of laboratories -- high-speed automobiles performing on the tracks and roads of the international racing circuit. This ongoing commitment helps ensure the excellence of Texaco/Havoline's products and build customer loyalty among the millions of racing fans in the United States and around the world.

About ChevronTexaco Products Company

ChevronTexaco Products Company is a division of a wholly owned subsidiary of the ChevronTexaco Corporation .

A full line of lubrication and coolant products are marketed thorough this organization under the Chevron, Texaco and Caltex brand names. Select brands include Havoline(R), Delo(R), Ursa(R), Revtex(R) and Texaco Xpress Lube(R). ChevronTexaco Products Company owns patented technology in advanced lubricants products and new generation base oil technology, as well as coolants. In addition, ChevronTexaco Products Company offers premium gasoline products and a superior retail experience under two highly trusted brands, Chevron and Texaco.

Headquartered in San Ramon, CA, ChevronTexaco Products Company, together with its ChevronTexaco affiliates worldwide, is ranked among the top three global marketers of lubricants, and is active in more than 180 countries through 4,000 employees.

About ChevronTexaco Corporation

ChevronTexaco Corporation is one of the world's leading energy companies. With more than 47,000 employees, ChevronTexaco conducts business in approximately 180 countries around the world, producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas, and marketing and distributing fuels and other energy products. ChevronTexaco is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information on ChevronTexaco is available at www.chevrontexaco.com.

About Home 123 Corporation

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Home123 Corporation is a subsidiary of New Century Financial Corporation. New Century Financial Corporation is a real estate investment trust and the parent company of one of the nation's largest non-prime mortgage finance companies, providing first and second mortgage products to borrowers nationwide through its operating subsidiaries. New Century is committed to serving the communities in which it operates with fair and responsible lending practices. To find out more about Home123 or New Century, please visit www.Home123.com or www.ncen.com.