ExxonMobil Awards Four $5,000 Mobil 1 Scholarships to NASCAR Technical Institute Students

FAIRFAX, Va.--May 15, 2006--ExxonMobil has awarded four Mobil 1(R) Scholarships to students at the prestigious NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI). Each student received $5,000 towards pursuing his automotive-technician career goals.

NTI, the exclusive educational partner of NASCAR, is the country's first technical training school to combine a complete automotive technology program and a NASCAR-specific motorsports program.

The Mobil 1 Scholarships were developed to address the shortage of automotive technicians in the United States. The Institute is located in Mooresville, N.C., better known as "Race City USA" because nearly 75 percent of NASCAR teams are based there.

"ExxonMobil worked with the NTI to identify four talented students who have the capacity and determination to become top automotive technicians in the motorsports industry," said Henrik Hansen, America's marketing manager, ExxonMobil Lubricants and Specialties. "As the company behind the 'Official Motor Oil of NASCAR,' ExxonMobil supports the NASCAR Technical Institute as an excellent way for students to prepare for work in the automotive industry."

The winners include Michael Caronia and Robert Perry of Statesville, N.C., Robert Barnhart of Riverside, Calif., and Garret Polk of Filion, Mich.

"The Mobil 1 Scholarship will help make my career goals a reality," said Caronia. "It has always been a dream of mine to open my own race shop. At NTI, I receive the most up-to-date training, allowing me to increase my knowledge of racing so I can obtain my goal and be the best of the best."

"When I first heard about the Mobil 1 Scholarship, I jumped at the chance to apply," said Polk. "Once I decided to change careers, I knew I wanted to attend NTI and learn from the best instructors in the automotive field. This scholarship has helped to make my career goals a reality."

"It was great to hear that I was one of the recipients of the Mobil 1 Scholarship," said Barnhart. "It has been a dream of mine to be a part of a NASCAR race team and become an automotive technician."

"As soon as I heard about the Mobil 1 Scholarship, I knew it was a great opportunity," said Perry. "NTI has provided me the knowledge to pursue a career in the building and repairing of highly specialized automobiles used in the racing industry and everyday life. Receiving this scholarship has confirmed that I am on the right path to achieving my goals."

The recipients of the Mobil 1 Scholarship were selected based on a 200-word essay describing their automotive experience, automotive career goals, their desire to enter into the automotive aftermarket industry, completion of at least nine phases of NTI training, and a minimum "B" grade point average (3.0 or higher).

Additional information about Mobil 1 and other ExxonMobil lubricants can be found on the Internet at www.mobiloil.com.

Mobil 1 and ExxonMobil are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries.

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