SUNOCO TO SPONSOR ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR NASCAR’S REGIONAL RACING SERIES

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 8, 2005) – Sunoco, the official fuel of NASCAR, has increased its support of NASCAR racers across the nation. Beginning in 2005, Sunoco will sponsor the rookie of the year award in seven different NASCAR regional racing series.

At the end of the 2005 racing season, a total of $15,000 will be paid to the top rookie drivers in the NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch North Series, the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and in each of the four series that comprise the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division (which includes the Midwest Series, Northwest Series, Southeast Series and Southwest Series).

In the Whelen Modified Tour, the Busch North Series and the West Series, the 2005 Sunoco Rookie of the Year will receive a $3,000 bonus, while in each of the four series that comprise the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, the top rookie receives $1,500.

"Sunoco is very excited to further enhance our relationship with NASCAR,” said Bob Owens, Sunoco’s Senior Vice President. “We are especially pleased to continue to demonstrate Sunoco's long time support and commitment to grassroots motorsports."

In addition to backing these rookie awards, Sunoco has also committed $50,000 to competitors in these series and the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series, through NASCAR’s contingency sponsorship program – those companies whose decals are displayed on the front fenders of the race cars.

“For many years Sunoco has been involved in short track racing at the regional and weekly level and this program enhances Sunoco’s commitment to that industry,” said Don Hawk, NASCAR’s Director of Regional Racing Development. “NASCAR has a great tradition of talented rookie drivers emerging as stars and this support from Sunoco will help a new generation of drivers do just that.”

The 2005 Sunoco Rookie of the Year awards will be determined by a point system. At each event, the highest-finishing eligible rookie receives 10 points, the second-highest rookie receives nine points, the third highest receives eight points, and so on. At the end of the season, the point totals for each eligible rookie will determine the winner.

Several of today’s top NASCAR stars have won this award during their early careers in NASCAR’s regional racing series, including Ricky Craven (1990 Busch North Series rookie of the year), Rick Carelli (1992 West Series rookie of the year), David Reutimann (1997 Southeast Series rookie of the year) and Kevin Harvick (1995 Southwest Series rookie of the year).

Sunoco's extensive commitment to grassroots motorsports also includes support of the NASCAR industry's Drive for Diversity program. Sunoco sponsors Michael Gallegos, an Hispanic driver for Innovative Motorsports in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series. Sunoco is the primary sponsor for Gallegos at nine races and an associate for another nine events at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, N.C.

Sunoco, Inc. , headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., is a leading manufacturer and marketer of petroleum and petrochemical products. With 730,000 barrels per day of refining capacity, approximately 4,500 retail sites selling gasoline and convenience items, interests in almost 11,000 miles of domestic crude oil and refined product pipelines and 34 product terminals, Sunoco is one of the largest independent refiner-marketers in the United States.