Marathon Extends Sponsorship of the Petty Enterprises #45 NASCAR Team

FINDLAY, Ohio, Jan. 23, 2007 -- Marathon Oil Corporation , through its wholly owned subsidiary, Marathon Petroleum Company LLC, (MPC) today announced that the Company has signed a two-year contract with Petty Enterprises LLC. The contract, covering the 2007 and 2008 NASCAR racing seasons, sponsors the #45 Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil Dodge driven by Kyle Petty.

"Continuing to partner with the legendary Richard Petty and his race team brings a great deal of added value to Marathon's NASCAR sponsorship," said Mary Ellen Peters, MPC senior vice president, Marketing. "During the 2006 season, Kyle Petty had a series of top-25 finishes. He ended the season solidly in the top 35 in owner's points. We are really excited about the sponsorship and we are looking forward to the upcoming season and what lies ahead for the #45 Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil Dodge."

The #45 car will carry the Marathon Brand as the primary sponsor for 14 races:

   - Bristol Motor Speedway (March)          - Texas Motor Speedway (April)
   - Martinsville Speedway (April & October) - Darlington Raceway (May)
   - Michigan International Speedway         - Indianapolis Motor Speedway
     (June & August)                           (July)
   - Pocono Raceway (August)                 - Watkins-Glen International
                                                Speedway (August)
   - Richmond International Raceway          - Talladega Superspeedway
     (September)                               (October)
   - Atlanta Motor Speedway (October)        - Homestead-Miami Speedway
                                               (November)

"We can't thank Marathon enough for their added support in 2007," said Kyle Petty, driver of the #45 Marathon Dodge Charger. "Marathon's primary sponsorship of more races shows increased confidence in our commitment to winning at Petty Enterprises. We're proud to partner with Marathon in NASCAR. We are looking forward to their partnership in the years to come."

About Marathon

Marathon is the fourth-largest U.S.-based fully integrated international energy company engaged in exploration and production; integrated gas; and refining, marketing and transportation operations. Marathon is the fifth largest refiner in the U.S. with 974,000 barrels-per-day of crude processing capacity in its seven-refinery system. The Company's Brand marketing network comprises approximately 4,200 locations in 17 states. For more information about Marathon, visit the Company's Web site at www.Marathon.com.

About Petty Enterprises

Petty Enterprises resides in Level Cross, N.C., a sprawling 60,000-square foot high-tech racing facility. An engineering-based and technology driven company, it is here where the organization houses the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge of driver Kyle Petty.