AAA Michigan at Autorama at Cobo Center - With NASCAR Nextel Cup Race Car and Racing Simulator

WHAT: The Auto Club Group (ACG), 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 racecar will be on display at Autorama at Detroit's Cobo Center. A Roush Racing Simulator, also an exact replica of the 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.

Later this summer, local media representatives will have an opportunity to participate in a special racecar simulator competition designed to benefit their favorite charities. Those who post the fastest time in their individual category will earn a cash donation of $1,000 to a charity of their choice, courtesy of AAA. The media competition categories include Print (newspaper or magazine), Radio, Television and Web. The charity partner for the overall top scorer will receive an additional $1,000 from AAA. Further details concerning the AAA Motorsports Media Charity Challenge will be available in early June.

WHEN: Media hours are 9 a.m. to noon Friday, March 4. The show car and race simulator will be on display during the general show. General admission hours will be noon to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. The public is welcome to test their driving skills on the simulator during posted hours.

WHERE: Cobo Center. The display is located at Booth 650-655.

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 racecars. 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.