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International Race of Champions and True Value Hardware Sign Agreement

1 November 1999

International Race of Champions and True Value Hardware Sign Exclusive Multi-Year Title Sponsorship Agreement        

           Signing Follows Most Competitive IROC Season in History

    CHICAGO, Ill., Oct. 29 - The International Race of Champions
(IROC) and True Value Hardware announced today the signing of a multi-year
agreement that makes True Value the exclusive title sponsor of the IROC
series.  The agreement follows the most competitive IROC season in history and
reflects True Value's strategy of utilizing motor sports as a major tool in
the hardware retailer's efforts to build consumer awareness of the True Value
brand.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991029/CGF001-a  )
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991029/CGF001-b  )
    The IROC and True Value agreement provides True Value with exclusive title
sponsorship with the series now known as the True Value International Race of
Champions.  The announcement coincides with True Value's recent decision to
create the world's largest retail hardware chain by combining True Value,
Coast to Coast and ServiStar hardware stores under the True Value identity.
True Value will utilize the True Value IROC series to build brand awareness
through logos on every race car and on all driver and crew apparel.
    True Value will also promote its involvement through national TV
advertising, distribution of hundreds of millions of circulars featuring the
True Value IROC series, the marketing of special True Value IROC merchandise,
an interactive "True Value IROC Experience" transporter designed for store and
race track appearances and special events for store owners during True Value
IROC races.
    Jay Signore, IROC president, said "True Value started as an associate
sponsor 16 years ago.  Over the years they have increased their sponsorship
role at every opportunity -- now, True Value is our primary sponsor.  Loyalty
goes a long way in motor sports, and IROC will be working hard to send the
fans a message via the best racing action we can provide.  Without the loyal
power of one, our friends at True Value, an auto racing series like IROC
couldn't exist."
    Frank Rothing, True Value's vice president of advertising and motor sports
marketing, said the decision to become exclusive title sponsor was an easy one
for True Value.  "The 1999 season was as exciting and competitive as any
series in motors ports history," Rothing said.  "That's the type of action
race fans, True Value store owners and our millions of customers find so
appealing and exciting. We're looking forward to True Value IROC producing the
best action in racing in 2000 and driving race fans to True Value independent
hardware retailers nationwide."
    True Value has been involved with IROC in various capacities since 1984.
The new exclusive title sponsorship for 2000 will allow True Value to raise
its visibility significantly, testimony to the growing popularity of the True
Value IROC series and its ability to build consumer awareness and brand
loyalty.

    Unparalleled competition in 1999
    The True Value IROC series holds a unique position in the world of racing
as the only series that brings together the finest drivers in head-to-head
competition, in identical vehicles.
    The 1999 season ended with champion Dale Earnhardt edging out second-place
finisher Mark Martin by a single point.  The race to the championship went
down to the last lap of the final race, won in dramatic fashion by Martin,
with Earnhardt finishing eighth. A ninth-place finish by Earnhardt would have
given the championship to Martin, which brought the entire championship down
to the final seconds of the final race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
    Three of the four 1999 races were decided on the last lap, with the third
race at Michigan Speedway one for the history books as Dale Earnhardt overtook
son Dale Earnhardt, Jr. with a quarter mile left, winning by a margin of .007
second, the shortest margin of victory in IROC history.
    The 1999 roster of drivers, featured below, included the finest drivers
from four race series.  The roster of 2000 drivers will be announced in
December.

    Winston Cup                  CART                        Busch
    Dale Earnhardt            Adrian Fernandez         Dale Earnhardt Jr.
    Jeff Burton               Greg Moore
    Jeff Gordon
    Dale Jarrett                  IRL
    Bobby Labonte             Kenny Brack
    Mark Martin               Eddie Cheever Jr.
    Rusty Wallace