RYAN BURGE NAMED 'HONORARY STARTER' BY MOPAR, BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY

NEWS RELEASE
July 10, 2005


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TEAM MOPAR CONTACT:
Misha Geisert
J.R. Thompson Company 
(317) 432-4110                                                                
                                              MoparPR@aol.com

RYAN BURGE NAMED 'HONORARY STARTER' BY MOPAR, BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY

Center Line, Mich. - Ryan Burge of Fountain, Colo., has been named as the 
"Honorary Starter" of Friday night's pro qualifying session of the NHRA Mopar 
Mile- High Nationals. Burge, who has been diagnosed with, and is currently 
undergoing treatment for, testicular and lymphatic cancer, is a long-time NHRA drag 
racing fan. The 20-year-old University of Northern Colorado student will 
participate in several aspects of the July 15th events, including being an honorary 
member of the Johnson & Johnson Racing team. 

"We're honored to have Ryan as a member of our team for the start of the 
Mopar Mile-High Nationals," Allen Johnson said. "It's an honor to be able to help 
give a race fan a chance to be a true part of the sport that he loves. It is 
our hope that Ryan enjoys this experience as much as we're going to enjoy 
having him as a part of our team."

Burge, who is a music education major, lists Eddie Hill and John Force as his 
favorite NHRA stars, and his father, Ron Burge, was an NHRA competitor 
himself in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Attending the NHRA Mopar Mile-High 
Nationals and other events at Bandimere Speedway are a tradition for the Burge 
family. 

Bandimere Speedway will honor Burge and his family as their guests in the 
NHRA's Top Eliminator Club. The Top Eliminator Club features complimentary food 
and beverages, live on-track action via closed-circuit television, and pit 
access for all guests. Burge will be joined by his father, Ron; his mother, Susan; 
and his brother, David. 

The 26th Annual NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals will begin with the Mopar Big 
Block Party on Thursday, July 14, from 6 to 10 p.m. MDT in downtown Golden, 
Colo. NHRA Drag Racing action is set to begin on Friday, July 15, at the 
Bandimere Speedway. 

For more information regarding Mopar, Bandimere Speedway or the 26th Annual 
NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals, log on to www.moparspeed.com, www.bandimere.com 
or www.nhra.com. 

Mopar is based in Center Line, Mich., and is the exclusive original equipment 
supplier of parts and accessories for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep® vehicles. 

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