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CART: Vasser's Car to Feature Superman Racing Theme at U.S. 500 Presented by Toyota

21 April 1999

DETROIT - Target/Chip Ganassi Racing driver Jimmy Vasser, the 1996 FedEx Championship Series champion, is among a group of celebrated drivers from a variety of motorsports who will launch spectacular Superman-themed race cars during the 1999 season. The Superman Racing campaign was announced today at New York's landmark Tavern on the Green restaurant.

Vasser's Superman Racing themed-car will be featured at the July 25 U.S. 500 Presented by Toyota at Michigan Speedway. The Superman Racing campaign is a year-long collaborative program created by Action Performance Companies, Inc., DC Comics and Warner Brothers Consumer Products.

At Michigan Speedway, Vasser's Target Honda Reynard will feature a vibrant paint scheme with graphics including the Superman shield and images of the Man of Steel flying fist-forward, with a look of speed and determination. The unique car will be replicated in die-cast form by Action Performance and made available for sale to the public in mid-to-late July.

"CART and CART Licensed Products are ecstatic to be working with Action Performance, DC Comics and Warner Brothers Consumer Products on this promotion," said Jonathan Frank, president of CART Licensed Products, who, along with CART President and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Craig, attended the press conference announcing the Superman Racing campaign. "We are excited about the prospect of seeing Jimmy drive the car at the U.S. 500 Presented by Toyota and we look forward to seeing the product become available to consumers."

"I grew up a big fan of Superman - the comics, cartoons and collectibles," Vasser said during the press conference. "To be associated with this is great for all of us at Target/Chip Ganassi Racing and the FedEx Championship Series. It's also really special to be associated with the eight 'Superheroes' of motorsport who are part of this program."

In addition to Vasser, drivers featured in the Superman Racing campaign include Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Ron Hornaday of NASCAR; John Force, Joe Amato, Warren Johnson and Matt Hines of the NHRA and Steve Kinser of the World of Outlaws.

Established in 1996 and headquartered in Atlanta, CART Licensed Products, Inc. is the official retail licensing and merchandising arm of Championship Auto Racing Teams. CART Licensed Products is the exclusive worldwide licenser of the CART and FedEx Championship Series brands. CART Licensed Products also grants non-exclusive retail licenses for the images of teams and drivers of the FedEx Championship Series including previous champions Michael Andretti, Al Unser Jr. and Vasser.

Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc. owns, operates and markets the FedEx Championship Series, which is comprised of 20 races in five countries on four continents in 1999. Drivers such as Michael Andretti, Al Unser Jr., Jimmy Vasser, Dario Franchitti and Greg Moore race 900-plus horsepower, open wheel cars at speeds of more than 230 miles per hour on some circuits. CART also owns and operates its top two development series, the PPG-Dayton Indy Lights Championship and the KOOL/Toyota Atlantic Championship.

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos and racing art, please visit The Racing Image Galleries and The Visions of Speed Art Gallery

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