Dennis Haysbert Named Grand Marshal of Allstate(R) 400 at the Brickyard(R)

NORTHBROOK, Ill.--July 25, 2005--Looking to add some exciting drama and thrilling action, Allstate has named its television spokesperson and actor Dennis Haysbert to be the Grand Marshal of this year's Allstate(R) 400 at the Brickyard(R). This year represents the 12th running of the race, which will be televised on NBC on Sunday, Aug. 7, at 2:30 p.m. EDT from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS).

Haysbert will participate in pre-race activities, including a ceremonial parade lap and will wave the green flag to signal the start of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Staying with family tradition at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IMS Chairman of the Board Mari Hulman George will deliver the famous command, "Gentlemen, start your engines."

"As Grand Marshal, Dennis Haysbert will be a great ambassador for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Allstate during the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard," said Joie Chitwood, IMS president and COO. "Dennis is very recognizable from his commercial and TV work. We're excited that he will be a part of the event."

Haysbert is perhaps best known as President David Palmer from the critically acclaimed, award-winning FOX television drama "24." In 2003, his performance in the show earned Haysbert a Golden Globe Award, NAACP Image Award and Screen Actor's Guild Award nominations. Haysbert made his feature film debut in 1989, portraying baseball player Pedro Cerrano in the sports comedy hit "Major League" and has starred in other films, including "Heat" (1995) and "Waiting to Exhale" (1995). Haysbert will next be starring in his own series, "The Unit" for CBS. Haysbert will play the head of Special Delta Force Unit combating world wide terrorism.

Haysbert also is a spokesperson for Allstate Insurance Company and has appeared in commercials for the insurance company since 2003. Haysbert's voice is featured in two new NASCAR television ads scheduled to break the week of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.

"As a huge NASCAR fan, I am excited about Allstate's sponsorship of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard," said Haysbert. "And I'm equally excited and honored to be selected as the Grand Marshal of one of NASCAR's premier races."

Popular country music group Diamond Rio will perform the National Anthem and is scheduled for a pre-race concert during the 97.1 FM HANK'S Hog Roast at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2005, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Diamond Rio has had nine No. 1 hits, including "Meet in the Middle," "One More Day," "Beautiful Mess" and "I Believe" and has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide.

"Through Allstate's "Our Stand" television campaign Dennis has really connected with consumers, providing important information about insurance and life events," said Joseph Tripodi, Allstate's chief marketing officer. "As an actor, he has established a reputation as commander in chief, which fits well with his role as the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Grand Marshal."

In April, Allstate signed a multi-year agreement with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the title sponsor for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, becoming the first company to title sponsor the annual NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at the world-famous speedway. Allstate also signed a multi-year deal, making the company the official auto, home and life insurance and retirement products sponsor of NASCAR.

To purchase tickets, camping or parking for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard contact the IMS ticket office at (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, (317) 492-6700 locally or log on to www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.

About Allstate

The Allstate Corporation is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate(R)" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 13,600 exclusive agencies and financial professionals in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate(R). EncompassSM and Deerbrook(R) Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers.

About the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the world's largest spectator sporting facility and is the annual home of three of the world's most prestigious races: the Indianapolis 500, the United States Grand Prix and the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. The Speedway, with its 2.5-mile oval and 2.605-mile road course, is the only racing facility in the world that plays host to all three of the world's premier racing series - the Indy Racing League IndyCar(R) Series, the FIA Formula One World Championship and the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, cementing its reputation as the "Racing Capital of the World." The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation is the leader in worldwide motorsports entertainment through its annual schedule of world-class events and an aggressive plan of fan-friendly programs and facility improvements.

Hi-Res Logo

A high-resolution JPEG image of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard logo is available for download at the Allstate 400/Logos-Graphics section of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Media Web site, www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/media. Contact Paul Kelly of the IMS Public Relations Department at pkelly@brickyard.com for username and password information.