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NASCAR: Polaris NASCAR Involvement Expands

29 November 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
MINNEAPOLIS - Polaris all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) will be increasing its involvement in NASCAR next year by joining Bill Davis Racing as an associate sponsor of the No. 22 Pontiac driven by Ward Burton for the upcoming season.

Burton's career has skyrocketed in 1999 - with six Winston Cup top-five and 16 top-ten finishes, he currently is ranked in the top ten for the season. Polaris will team with Caterpillar, Burton's primary sponsor on the Winston Cup Circuit, for two years beginning in 2000.

"We're proud to sponsor Ward Burton - he's a terrific driver and one of the most exciting competitors on the track," said Tom Tiller, president and CEO of Polaris. "Burton's love of the outdoors makes him and his fans a perfect match for the Polaris brand - we're excited to have him and the Bill Davis Racing team join Polaris ATVs NASCAR marketing efforts."

Polaris also will become a primary sponsor of Burton's Busch Series car. During the 2000 season, Polaris ATVs will be the primary sponsor for five Busch races.

"It's great to have Polaris on board for 2000," said Bill Davis. "Their support will help our team remain successful for the next few years, and we're proud to have them with us."

Ward Burton will be the newest member of "PRO Team" Polaris, an organization of top motorsports stars that represent Polaris products in the marketplace. Other "PRO Team" members include Richard Petty, Al Unser, Jr., and Rusty Wallace.

Victory Motorcycles, a division of Polaris, is also increasing its involvement in Winston Cup Racing with its newly formed partnership with Kyle Petty. Petty is a big fan of the product, and will be an enthusiastic spokesperson for Victory Motorcycles.

Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, Victory motorcycles, personal watercraft, and the Polaris RANGER for recreational and utility use. Polaris is the largest snowmobile manufacturer in the world, and one of the largest U.S. manufacturers of ATVs and personal watercraft. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange and Pacific Stock Exchange under the symbol "PII," and the company is included in the S&P SmallCap 600 stock price index.

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