Jamie McMurray Trades Stock Car for Taxicab to Provide 'King of the Safe Road' Experience to Indianapolis Race Fans

The Makers of Crown Royal Canadian Whisky and NASCAR Driver Hit the Streets with 'Safe Rides Home' Program to Stress the Importance of Responsible Drinking

INDIANAPOLIS, July 22 -- Before hitting the bricks at one of the most historic tracks in all of motorsports, NASCAR driver Jamie McMurray will show off his skills on the street when he provides adults free and safe rides home from Indianapolis-area hot spots on Friday, July 24.

The Crown Royal "Safe Rides Home" designated-driver program provides adult consumers safe rides home via a fleet of four (4) replica purple and gold No. 26 Ford Fusion cars. The program will take place at the corner of Jackson Place and South Meridian on Thursday, July 23, with safe rides home made available from 8 p.m. - 12 a.m. McMurray will headline the event on Friday, July 24 at the corner of Broad Ripple Avenue and Guilford Streets from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., with rides continuing until midnight. In addition to his spot in the driver's seat, McMurray will make appearances at various local venues in the Broad Ripple-area to meet with fans and sign autographs.

"Racing in Indy is always special, but participating in the Safe Rides Home program the last few years really allows me to interact one-on-one with some of the most passionate race fans in the world," said McMurray. "Upon getting in the car, fans are always a little shocked to see me behind the wheel and they think that I may do a burn out or make a quick move into traffic. Once they realize I'm a cautious driver, we usually start chatting and before we know it, have arrived at their home and they are thanking me and Crown Royal for the safe ride."

This marks the fifth year the Safe Rides fleet will take to the streets of Indianapolis prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend. During that span, the "Safe Rides Home" program has provided residents and race fans in the area hundreds of free rides totaling more than 5,000 miles. Throughout the years, Indianapolis residents and bar owners have commended Crown Royal for offering this service.

"We understand that racing in Indianapolis is all about tradition, and we are proud that over the years this program has become a staple to the race weekend festivities for fans and the local community," said Rob Mason, Senior Brand Manager, Crown Royal. "The Crown Royal Safe Rides Home program continues to provide the ideal platform to remind adult consumers that when they enjoy our products they should do so responsibly and always arrange for a safe ride home."

The makers of Crown Royal Canadian whisky, a subsidiary of Diageo plc continue to use this initiative to advance their "Be a Champion. Drink Responsibly." message, which is designed to reinforce the importance of responsible drinking and assigning a designated driver.

Consumers can sign up to receive a free safe ride home at special Crown Royal No. 26 taxi stands on Thursday they will be located at corner of Jackson Place and South Meridian and Friday at the corner of Broad Ripple Avenue and Guilford Street. Eligible residents must be 21 or over and live within a 20-mile radius of the signup location. There is a four-passenger limit per car.

About Crown Royal Canadian Whisky

Crown Royal Canadian whisky is the number one selling Canadian whisky brand in the US by value and has a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal Canadian whisky's smooth, elegant style reflects its aristocratic origins and is considered the epitome of Canadian whisky. For the fourth consecutive year, the Crown Royal Company is the primary sponsor of the No. 26 Roush Fenway Ford Fusion driven by Jamie McMurray. For more information visit www.crownroyal.com.

  It's about quality, not quantity.

  About Diageo

Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com/. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

  Celebrating life, every day, everywhere, responsibly.

  About Roush Fenway Racing

Roush Fenway Racing is NASCAR's largest team operating nine motorsports teams. Five in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with drivers Matt Kenseth, Jamie McMurray, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards and David Ragan; three in the Nationwide Series with Kenseth, Biffle, Edwards, Ragan, Erik Darnell, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and Colin Braun; and one in the Camping World Truck Series with Braun. For more information on any of the Roush Fenway Racing teams, log onto www.RoushFenway.com. For sponsorship inquiries please contact Robin Johnson at 704.720.4645.

  Contacts:  Gillian Cook                       Nicole Anastasi
             Diageo                             Taylor PR
             646 223 2326                       704.796.9992
             gillian.cook@diageo.com            nanastasi@taylorpr.com