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NASCAR WCUP: Caterpillar Racing salutes dealers in Bud Shootout

3 February 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
HIGH POINT, N.C., -- What better way to kick off the new Millennium and the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup season than to salute the many CAT dealers throughout the United Sates and Canada. It will be done in grand fashion as the No. 22 Caterpillar Racing Pontiac, driven by Ward Burton, will unveil a special paint scheme for the 2000 Bud Shootout at Daytona International Speedway.

"For the first time since we've been involved in racing, we will deviate from our original paint scheme to salute our dedicated dealers and customers," said Greg Towles, Director of Racing Programs for Caterpillar. "We've developed a special design to honor the many dealers throughout the United Sates and Canada. The names of 72 dealers will be listed on the deck lid of the No. 22 Caterpillar Racing Pontiac."

The special paint scheme may not seem like a big deal to many, but Caterpillar has turned down the opportunity to run special promotions throughout the past few years. They were waiting for the right theme and the right time. The theme is the dealers and the time is now.

"There are a lot of customers, dealers and employees who have been very supportive of our racing program since we began in 1994," said Towles. "We believe it is the appropriate time to recognize those people who have helped make our racing program a popular choice for Caterpillar."

The No. 22 Caterpillar Racing Pontiac with the special paint scheme will double as the show car for Caterpillar's hospitality tent for the Daytona 500.

"The plan is to bring the No. 22 Caterpillar Racing Pontiac to hospitality village so that the dealers can see the special paint scheme up close," added Towles. "We'll have a lot of those dealers at the Daytona 500."

Racing Champions has produced a 1:24 and 1:18 die cast replica of the No. 22 Caterpillar Racing Pontiac, which will be available at dealerships and trackside.

Text Provided by HKStoddard

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.