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IRL: Kobalt Mechanics Tools to Sponsor Atlanta Race

2 May 1999

CONCORD, N.C., - At a press conference today, officials of Atlanta Motor Speedway announced that Kobalt Mechanics Tools will be the title sponsor for its 1999 Pep Boys Indy Racing League event and MCI WorldCom has returned for its second year as the presenting sponsor.

This year's Kobalt Mechanics Tools 500 presented by MCI WorldCom race will take place July 16-17, 1999 at the Hampton, Ga., facility.

Kobalt Mechanics Tools, which is a division of Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, and MCI WorldCom, are both also year-round sponsors at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Kobalt Mechanics Tools signed on as the official tool sponsor at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March, while MCI WorldCom has been the official communications company.

"We're thrilled that Lowe's has chosen Atlanta Motor Speedway and it Pep Boys Indy Racing League event as an avenue to gain exposure for its Kobalt Mechanics Tools line and that MCI WorldCom will return as the presenting sponsor," said Ed Clark, president and general manager of Atlanta Motor Speedway.

According to Mark Kauffman, senior vice president of general merchandising hardlines for Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, sponsorship of Atlanta Motor Speedway's Pep Boys Indy Racing League event was exactly the type of vehicle that they were looking for to promote Kobalt Mechanics Tools.

"The Pep Boys Indy Racing League cars have a reputation of the highest quality," Kauffman said. "Kobalt Mechanics Tools are a very high quality line of tools, so the sponsorship of the Pep Boys Indy Racing League race on Saturday night at July 17 at Atlanta Motor Speedway is a perfect fit for high quality cars and high quality tools."

The success of the event last year along with the chance to forge partnerships with three of the biggest names in racing were the main reasons for the MCI WorldCom's continued interest in the event, according to Andy Deas, director of sports marketing for MCI WorldCom.

"We're very excited about our partnership with Lowe's, Atlanta Motor Speedway and the Pep Boys Indy Racing League," Deas said. "All of those organization, like ours, represent the highest quality in their fields, and we expect to team with our partners to bring a memorable event to Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, July 17."

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