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Discount Tire Co. Extends Partnership with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
Scottsdale, Ariz., (November 5, 2004) - Discount Tire Co. and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRwFS) announced
today that Discount Tire Co. will extend its partnership as the "Official Sponsor of Talent Development" for CGRwFS.
As part of the official sponsorship, Discount Tire will be the primary sponsor of the No. 41 Discount Tire Dodge in the
NASCAR Busch Series in 2005. Reed Sorenson will pilot the No. 41 Dodge in the Busch Series next season as he vies for the
rookie of the year title.
"Discount Tire Company entered the NASCAR world in April when it joined the Chip Ganassi with Felix Sabates team as talent
development sponsor," said Rob Wise, VP of marketing and advertising. "Discount Tire's corporate culture is to educate, develop, empower and
promote employees from within, very similar to the Ganassi talent development program. Over the last several months, Discount
Tire has had the opportunity to witness the team's commitment to win races by cultivating some of the best young drivers and
by producing race cars with the potential to finish in victory lane.
"We have been extremely impressed with Reed Sorenson, a young, talented driver, very much like the people working in the tire
stores today. The company has rallied around the sponsorship, Reed, and of course, the No. 41 Discount Tire Dodge."
The 2005 season will be the first full-time NASCAR Busch Series season for CGRwFS. Team owner Chip Ganassi has been
impressed with the commitment to the program Discount Tire has shown already this season and looks forward to next year.
"Discount Tire is the leader in their industry because of their focus on caring for and cultivating their people, and
creating value for their customers, and we work hard to do the same things," said Ganassi. "They have already been an
enthusiastic partner which is what it takes to win in this sport. We are looking forward to a great long-term partnership."
The No. 41 Discount Tire Dodge has competed in five Busch Series races this season piloted by Sorenson and NEXTEL Cup
drivers Jamie McMurray and Casey Mears. Mears earned two poles and two top-10 finishes in the No. 41 Dodge, while Sorenson
led 47 laps last weekend in Atlanta. McMurray will take the helm this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway as the team
looks for its first trip to victory lane.
About Discount Tire Co.
Founder and Chairman Bruce T. Halle opened his first Discount Tire store in 1960 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. With six tires and
a portable air tank, Halle started what has now become America's largest independent tire and wheel retailer. His philosophy
has remained consistent - develop a long-term relationship with customers by providing a product that exceeds their
expectations at a competitive price. Treat customers with respect and fairness, while offering them service that reflects
the skill and knowledge of our employees. And always remember that customer loyalty must be earned. Today, Discount Tire
Company has over 592 stores and four distribution centers in 18 states. Discount Tire Company is headquartered in Scottsdale,
Arizona.
About Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates:
Following a successful career as a driver, during which he participated in five Indianapolis 500 events, Chip Ganassi set
his sights on ownership in 1988, and has since established his organization as a leading contender in every race entered.
Headlining the team is driver Scott Dixon - who won his first-ever IRL IndyCar race in 2003 at Homestead-Miami and went on
to become the reigning IndyCar Series Champion for 2003. In 2000, Chip Ganassi Racing's Juan Montoya claimed the Indianapolis
500 title for his team in his first entry into the famed brickyard race in 2000.
In addition, Chip Ganassi Racing won the CART Championship for an unprecedented four consecutive years from 1996-1999. The
team's NASCAR results have been impressive as well, with strong showings by drivers Casey Mears, Jamie McMurray (2003 Rookie
of the Year) and veteran driver Sterling Marlin, who led the Championship points for 26 straight weeks in 2002, only
Ganassi's second year in NASCAR. Jamie McMurray also holds the record for the fastest win in a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series
career, having claimed victory in just his second start.
Felix Sabates first entered the world of stock car racing in 1987, when he purchased a research and development team from
then-owner and popular Charlotte businessman, Rick Hendrick. SABCO Racing was founded and a new NASCAR NEXTEL Cup competitor
entered the scene. For Sabates, it was just the beginning of a long, successful career on the NASCAR circuit. Sabates and
Ganassi announced their partnership in NEXTEL Cup racing during the 2000 season. Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
made its debut at Daytona in 2001. |
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