Home123 Becomes Official Mortgage Company of NASCAR

-Company Plans to Build Awareness Among Brand-Loyal, Family Oriented Fans of Popular Sport-

IRVINE, Calif., April 20 -- New Century Financial Corporation , a real estate investment trust and parent company of one of the nation's largest non-prime mortgage finance companies, is pleased to announce that its retail lending subsidiary, Home123 Corporation, has entered into a two-year agreement with the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) to become the Official Mortgage Company of NASCAR. It joins several Fortune 500 blue-chip companies that have entered the NASCAR family.

"We could have sponsored any number of sports to gain exposure among potential borrowers," said Carl Vernon, president of Home123. "But after an extensive review of a variety of opportunities, it was clear to us that NASCAR would deliver an audience that matches up with our family oriented customer demographic and would increase our brand visibility to its loyal fan base."

NASCAR fans, which number approximately 75 million, are a cross section of the U.S. population. Importantly, more than 70 percent of NASCAR fans are homeowners.(1)

"Another sponsorship advantage that NASCAR offers is a 10-month season -- that's longer than any other major professional sport," said Vernon. "So, not only are there a lot of eyes on the track, but they are viewing for a longer period of time."

Sponsor visibility is particularly important since NASCAR fans are three times more likely to purchase a sponsor's goods or services than a non-sponsor's. More than 70 percent buy a product because it's associated with NASCAR and 40 percent will switch to a competing product if it's sponsored in NASCAR. Remarkably, 85 percent of the most loyal fans know which companies sponsor NASCAR and its drivers, and 94 percent are more likely to have positive feelings about sponsors.(2)

"As family oriented organizations, NASCAR and Home123 are an ideal match," said Justin Johnson, managing director of partnership marketing for NASCAR. "We are excited to welcome a company that will help NASCAR fans simplify what might be the most important transaction in their lives -- buying or refinancing a home."

Home123 has boosted its chances for a good deal of exposure by creating conditions for winning -- and the limelight this brings. The Chip Ganassi Racing team with Felix Sabates is one of the most respected teams in all of motor sports, with a history of fielding successful cars and drivers. The two drivers that Home123 is sponsoring, Jamie McMurray and Reed Sorenson, are also top performers, which is significant because more than two-thirds of the fans buy NASCAR-related products based on driver preferences.(3) Jamie McMurray will be running the #42 car under the Home123(R) paint scheme this weekend at the Phoenix International Raceway.

About New Century

New Century Financial Corporation is a real estate investment trust and 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 Mortgage Corporation and Home123 Corporation. New Century is committed to serving the communities in which it operates with fair and responsible lending practices. To find out more about New Century, please visit www.ncen.com.

About Home123

Home123 is one of America's largest providers of home mortgage loans. In the past year alone, the direct lender has helped more than 81,000 people achieve their personal financial goals and get the loans they needed. Home123's brand promise is to help customers cut through the loan clutter: first, the company looks beyond a credit score to understand an individual situation, then offers the best home loan possible; next, it provides valuable resources to make the loan process easier; lastly, Home123 guides a customer through every step, so there are no surprises at a loan's closing. To find out more about Home123, please visit www.Home123.com.