Toyota Names Four Top Bass Pros to Toyota National Fishing Team

Toyota Moves Forward Support of Bass Fishing With Creation of New Team

TORRANCE, Calif., Feb. 23 -- Toyota Motor Sales announced today the creation of the newly formed Toyota National Fishing Team featuring four of the top professional bass anglers: Michael Iaconelli, Greg Hackney, Terry Scroggins and Dave Wolak.

The Toyota Team members will be identified by their new Toyota branded trucks, boats and tournament wear. The Toyota Team, featuring its new Toyota-branded gear, will make its debut at the Bassmaster Classic, February 23 - 26, on Lake Tohopekaliga in Kissimmee, Fla.

"Toyota has been a sponsor of BASS fishing for several years and we felt it was time to take our sponsorship to a new level by supporting some of the top personalities in the sport," said Steve Jett, Toyota National Truck Advertising and Events Marketing Manager. "Our goal is show people who love to fish how our trucks and SUVs can help them pursue their passion."

The Toyota Team will have a prominent role in the company's marketing efforts directed at outdoor enthusiasts, a demographic known to prefer pickups and SUVs for work and play. The formation of the team is just the next step in Toyota's efforts to support the outdoor lifestyle. This year marks Toyota's third year as the official truck of BASS, the country's most prominent bass fishing tournament organization and producer of the Bassmaster Classic. In addition, Toyota has a strong partnership with Bass Pro Shops and NASCAR. Toyota recently announced it is expanding its NASCAR efforts.

"This Toyota team is going to be a dominant force at this year's Classic," Iaconelli said. "Any one of us is capable of walking away with the title, and regardless of who it might be, we'll all share in the excitement. I can't say enough about what Toyota's elevated presence in fishing means to me, to this team, and to the sport as a whole. They are a first-class company and we're going to make them proud of their involvement."

ABOUT THE ANGLERS

With fan and press-imposed nicknames like The Hack Attack, Big Show and Ike, it should come as no surprise to anyone who follows competitive bass fishing that Hackney, Scroggins and Iaconelli are among the sports hottest and most marketable stars.

The successes and popularity of the three have put them in fishing's brightest spotlight -- now to be further enhanced by their appointment to the Toyota National Fishing Team. Wolak, the Toyota Bassmaster Rookie of the Year, earned the fourth spot, a rotating position filled each year by the recipient of that honor.

Iaconelli, age 33, is the team catalyst. The Runnemede, N.J., angler won the prestigious Bassmaster Classic in 2003. He has four BASS wins and 30 BASS Top 10 finishes. Iaconelli is currently ranked #4 in BassFan world rankings and #4 on the BassZone Media rankings, two highly popular websites for bass anglers. "Ike," known for his extreme celebrations upon catching a big bass

-- sometimes an emotional scream, sometimes a break dance on the front deck of his boat -- has found himself on center stage beyond fishing's. He has appeared on ESPN's "Sports Center," Sports Illustrated, GQ, Details and Esquire.

Hackney, age 32, resides in Gonzales, La. He has two BASS wins and 24 BASS Top 10 finishes. He was the 2004 Toyota Rookie of the Year. Hackney is currently ranked #2 in BassFan world rankings and #2 on the BassZone Media rankings. "The Hack Attack" nickname comes from his uncanny ability to make a flurry of fast catches in comeback top-finishes.

Scroggins, age 37, is from Palatka, Fla. He has three BASS wins to his credit and 12 BASS Top 10 finishes. Scroggins is currently #8 in BassFan World Rankings and #20 on the BassZone Media poll. His "Big Show" nickname comes from impressive single day performances in tournament competition that elevated him to contention for wins. Scroggins, always a threat on his home Florida waters and fresh off of a November 2005 BASS win on Toho, is one of the early tournament picks to take the title.

Wolak, age 29, earned his 2005 Toyota Rookie of the Year title with three BASS Top 10s and a 4th place finish in the 2005 Angler of the Year race. The Warrior Run, Pa., pro was also the 2005 BassFan Rookie of the Year. 2005 was Wolak's first full season on the BASS pro trail. The Toyota Rookie of the Year award has become a career-launching opportunity for upstart bass tournament anglers like Hackney and Wolak. The recognition and prize money that come with the honor have made it possible for individuals to advance to the highest levels of competitive bass fishing.

Collectively, the members of the four-man Toyota National Fishing Team have earned nearly $2.5 million in tournament winnings from BASS and FLW Tour events in their respective young careers. Three of the four are currently ranked in the Top Five positions of the new Bassmaster.com Power Rankings: Iaconelli is third, Scroggins fourth and Hackney fifth. The Power Rankings system is based on actual BASS points accumulated by each angler over a two- season period, and serves as a practical way to determine angler consistency and current success trends.

ABOUT TOYOTA

Toyota established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates ten manufacturing plants including one under construction. There are more than 1,400 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in the U.S. which sell more than 2 million vehicles a year. Toyota directly employs over 32,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $13 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design.

  Media Contact:
  Tracy Segal
  GolinHarris for Toyota
  213-438-8781
  tsegal@golinharris.com

NOTE TO EDITORS: photography available upon request.