NHRA NEWS: U.S. SMOKELESS TOBACCO CO. RENEWS SPONSORSHIP OF NHRA SKOAL SHOWDOWN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact: NHRA Communications Dept., (626) 914-4761


 U.S. SMOKELESS TOBACCO CO.  RENEWS SPONSORSHIP 


OF NHRA SKOAL SHOWDOWN


GLENDORA, Calif. (June 28, 2006) - NHRA announced today that Skoal
Racing has agreed to a multi-year extension of the popular Skoal
Showdown, a lucrative bonus event for Funny Car competitors featured
during the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, the world's most prestigious drag
race held every Labor Day weekend at O'Reilly Raceway Park at
Indianapolis.

"We are excited to announce that Skoal Racing has extended the Skoal
Showdown and its commitment to the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series,"
said Gary Darcy, senior vice president for sales and marketing, NHRA.
"The Skoal Showdown is a very prestigious program for our Funny Car
racers and an extremely thrilling and competitive program for NHRA fans
to enjoy each season."

The year's eight best Funny Car teams qualify for the Skoal Showdown,
which offers a race day purse of $147,000, including $100,000 to the
winner. The Skoal Showdown features a total payout of $239,000, which
includes $92,000 in No. 1 qualifier bonuses paid to the quickest Funny
Car qualifier at each of the 23 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events
leading up to the Skoal Showdown. 

"U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC) is proud to support the
prestigious Skoal Showdown and excited to extend our longstanding
relationship with the NHRA.  NHRA POWERAde Drag Racing represents the
best of the best and we are committed to working with the NHRA to
further the growth of this exciting and dynamic sport," said Andy
Hoefer, director of one-on-one marketing, USSTC.  "The Skoal Showdown
recognizes and rewards the elite eight Funny Car teams who demonstrate
the grit and uncompromising commitment it takes to be the best.  We
truly admire this passion for winning and look forward to crowning
another Skoal Showdown champion this year at the Mac Tools U.S.
Nationals."

In addition, Skoal Racing is the proud sponsor of Don "The Snake"
Prudhomme's Snake Racing Team, consisting of Tommy Johnson Jr., who
drives the Skoal Racing Chevy Monte Carlo and is currently sixth in the
POWERade Series point standings with one victory this season, and Larry
Dixon, who drives Snake's Top Fuel dragster and is currently seventh in
the POWERade Series point standings.

 "The folks from Skoal Racing enjoy the sport of NHRA drag racing
tremendously," Prudhomme said. "I know the racers appreciate their
support of not just our team, but the entire Funny Car category and
sport. I go back a long way with Skoal Racing so it's great to see their
commitment to the sport continue to flourish." 

Skoal Racing and Skoal Showdown are service marks of U.S. Smokeless
Tobacco Company (USSTC), the principal subsidiary of UST .

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company is a distinctly different tobacco
company.  Through its subsidiaries, it is a leading producer and
marketer of moist smokeless tobacco products.  The Company's primary
brands are Skoal, Copenhagen, Red Seal and Husky.  The Company is the
only smokeless tobacco manufacturer to sign the Smokeless Tobacco Master
Settlement Agreement (STMSA).  Under the STMSA, the Company voluntarily
adopted an array of advertising and promotional restrictions, and agreed
to pay $100 million towards programs to reduce youth access to tobacco
products and combat youth substance abuse.

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning
body for the sport of drag racing in the United States.  It presents 24
national events through its NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.  The NHRA
has more than 80,000 members and 140 member tracks.  The NHRA-sanctioned
sportsman and bracket racing series' provide competition opportunities
for drivers of all levels.  The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by
offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing
Series, NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal
Drags presented by AAA. 

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