NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series Driver Kevin Harvick Makes Pit Stop at Hershey's Chicago Store

NASCAR Busch Series Rookie Brandon Miller to Meet Fans

HERSHEY, Pa., June 22 -- On Thursday, July 7, Hershey's Chicago welcomes NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series drivers Kevin Harvick and Brandon Miller to meet Chicago area fans and share the fun and excitement of Hershey's newest retail experience. Harvick, the 2001 Busch Series Drivers' Champion, and Busch Series rookie Brandon Miller, will serve Hershey's desserts, sign autographs, and compete against fans in a "Reese's Racing Showdown" video game at Hershey's Chicago, located at 822 N. Michigan Avenue on the Magnificent Mile(R).

Harvick will take food orders, serving customers cupcakes, brownies and other desserts starting at 1 p.m. Later, he will challenge fans to a "Reese's Racing Showdown" video game, and customers will have the opportunity to show off their racing skills against one of NASCAR's best. Afterwards, Harvick will sign autographs and pose for pictures with the #21 Reese's racing car until 3 p.m. Miller also will take food orders, serve desserts and play against fans in the evening edition of the "Reese's Racing Showdown" and sign autographs for fans from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

"I am extremely excited to be part of such a huge celebration involving the opening of the Hershey's Chicago store," Harvick said. "I was at the Hershey Times Square store just a few months ago and I was really impressed. I am looking forward to seeing the new store and being able to interact with all my Chicago fans."

Customers will be treated to a unique interactive experience at Hershey's Chicago. The Hershey's Magnificent Chocolate Works machine allows people to become an "Official Hershey's Factory Worker," complete with an "employee" photo ID, factory worker hat, and opportunity to package Hershey's brand products. Visitors have a chance to show-off their creative skills and operate the Magnificent Chocolate Works machine to create and dispense a personalized mix of selected Hershey's products, including Hershey's miniatures, Reese's peanut butter cups, Hershey's Kisses brand chocolates, and more. With the help of gravity, Hershey's products cascade through intertwining chutes and drop into this nostalgic and whimsical candy machine to produce a truly personalized assortment.

Hershey's Chicago also features Cookies and Cocoa-To-Go, a presentation bakery where "Hersheyizers" entertain visitors as they custom decorate a selection of delicious cupcakes, cookies and brownies. Also at the bakery, customers can pick from a selection of hot and cold beverages - each with its own special Hershey's touch. And of course, Hershey's Chicago showcases a comprehensive collection of favorite Hershey's products, and the latest in exciting, new snacks such as Hershey's Take 5 candy bars and Hershey's Kisses brand chocolates filled with caramel, and one-of-a-kind items found only at Hershey's Chicago.

"We're excited to have Kevin Harvick and Brandon Miller at Hershey's Chicago," said Don Papson, Vice President Consumer Interactive, The Hershey Company. "This event offers our customers another unique experience that will create lasting memories."

In 2005, Harvick claimed victories in both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series. Last year, Harvick won two Busch Series races and finished in the top five 10 times in his first season in the #21 Reese's Chevrolet. Harvick won the Busch Series Owners' Championship in the #21 Payday Chevrolet in 2003. He has a total of 12 Nextel Cup Series victories and 50 top-five finishes. Also, for the fifth consecutive year, Harvick will race in the GM Goodwrench #29 car in the Nextel Cup Series.

Busch Series rookie Brandon Miller will join the fun at the new Hershey's Chicago store on July 7, in the evening, along with members of the Reese's pit crew. Miller will fill-in for Harvick in the #21 Reese's Chevrolet throughout the course of the season. In 2002, Miller won the Super Late Model Championship. He claimed six victories and seven pole positions en route to the title.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company is a leading snack food company and the largest North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery products. With revenues of over $4 billion and more than 13,000 employees worldwide, The Hershey Company markets such well-known brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Kit Kat, Almond Joy, Mounds, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, and Mauna Loa, as well as innovative new products such as Take 5 and Hershey's Cookies. In addition to its traditional confectionery products, Hershey offers a range of products specifically developed to address the nutritional interests of today's health-conscious consumer. These products include sugar-free Hershey's, Reese's and York candies, as well as Hershey's SmartZone bars for people seeking balanced nutrition. It also markets Hershey's cocoa, Hershey's syrup and other branded baking ingredients, toppings and beverages. Visit us at http://www.hersheynewsroom.com/.