Montoyas to Host NASCAR Officials at Their Formula Smiles Foundation in Colombia

Juan Pablo Montoya, driver of the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline/Juicy Fruit DodgeŽ, and his wife Connie will host NASCAR officials during an unprecedented trip to Cartagena, Colombia March 10-11, to visit their charitable foundation, Formula Smiles.

A contingent from NASCAR, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and the Victory Junction Gang Camp will be arriving in Colombia on March 10. The purpose of the trip is to visit the Formula Smiles’ project in Cartagena and showcase NASCAR’s support through the NASCAR Foundation with a $25,000 donation to the program.

“NASCAR’s visit to Colombia is something extremely important for both Formula Smiles and our country,” said Montoya. “Being part of the NASCAR community has enabled us to raise thousands of dollars that have permitted us to continue helping under-privileged kids in my home country. This visit gives us the opportunity to show the NASCAR community what we do and educate them on the reality of the situation in our country, and why we need as much support as possible.”

Formula Smiles is a non-profit organization that utilizes sports to improve the quality of life of Colombian children. The Foundation provides the necessary equipment and teachers to enable under-privileged kids to engage in athletics in an academic and recreational manner. The primary goals of the foundation are to teach values that will make the children better citizens, reinforce what has been learned in school, keep them away from drugs and violence and most importantly give them a reason to smile. For more information please visit the website: www.formulasmiles.org.

“On behalf of the NASCAR community I am proud to have the opportunity to work with caring people like Juan Pablo and Connie Montoya,” said NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France. “Their efforts, like so many driver charities, benefit those less fortunate and in need. Formula Smiles is a terrific charity that will help children to excel in both academics and athletics.”

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc., (NASCAR) launched the NASCAR Foundation in January 2006. The Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit entity that embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and its commitment to serving communities. The Foundation supports a wide range of charitable initiatives that reflect the core values of the entire NASCAR Family. The NASCAR Foundation will use strength of the sport and its people to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. For more information on the NASCAR Foundation, please visit the website: www.nascar.com/foundation.