RaceQuest Sponsorship Blog

ERIE, PA – RaceQuest, a marketing firm providing racers and promoters with cutting edge sponsorship development tools and products, will be on hand at the Gater Racing News CARQUEST Motorsports Expo in Syracuse, New York, from March 10th through March 12th.

Racers from throughout the north east can check out first-hand RaceQuest's leading sponsorship development books, the "RaceQuest Marketing Manager", and the recently released "Turn-Key Racing Sponsorship Programs", a first of its kind sponsorship book that teaches racers and promoters how to create successful racing sponsorship programs for 25 different types of businesses.

RaceQuest also provides marketing consultation and proposal development services, ranging from a racing sponsorship template, to a complete custom racing sponsorship proposal.

"We enjoy the interaction with our customers, and having the ability to answer in-person the many questions that racers and promoters have about our products, and about sponsorship", stated RaceQuest principal and author Bill Catania.

RaceQuest is offering exclusive show specials throughout the three-day show, providing attendees with up to $50 in savings.

On Saturday, Catania will be featured once again in the industry roundtable, and will be leading a discussion on racing sponsorship on Sunday afternoon.

Learn more about RaceQuest by visiting the CARQUEST Motorsports Expo this weekend, or by visiting www.racequest.com.

ERIE, Pa. -- The O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series has teamed up with RaceQuest -- a motorsports marketing consulting firm located in Erie, Pa. -- to provide registered O’Reilly USMTS race teams with access to valuable tools that will help them find, manage and keep racing sponsors.

As a contingency sponsor of the O’Reilly USMTS, RaceQuest will be offering product certificates toward the purchase of a RaceQuest Marketing Manager Book or eBook to each A-Main feature winner and the highest-finishing B-Main drivers that do not qualify for the A-Main. Each award will be worth $10 toward the purchase of a RaceQuest Marketing Manager Book or $20 toward a RaceQuest Marketing Manager eBook.

RaceQuest Marketing Manager is a highly-effective sponsorship “How To” instructional guide that helps racers with every step of the sponsorship process -- from who to talk to and how to talk to sponsors, to “The Big Idea” that will provide their team with the marketing edge.

Since its release in January 2005, the RaceQuest Marketing Manager has helped scores of drivers and tracks across the United States with their sponsorship program development, with very tangible results! toward the purchase of a RaceQuest Marketing Manager Book, or $20 toward a RaceQuest Marketing Manager eBook. O’Reilly USMTS drivers that accumulate multiple certificates can redeem them for any of RaceQuest’s services, including Sponsorship Proposal development, Proposal Templates and Proposal Review services.

As a year-end award, the O’Reilly USMTS National Rookie-of-the-Year will receive a RaceQuest “Racers Edge” package, valued at $500. The “Racers Edge” package includes a customized racing proposal designed by RaceQuest, a RaceQuest Marketing Manager book, one year of online training at RaceQuest.com and Sponsorship Weekly -- the official newsletter of RaceQuest!

“The RaceQuest program was developed for racers at all levels of motorsports, but can do the most good for local and regional racers, like those competing in USMTS competition,” stated RaceQuest author and founder Bill Catania.

The RaceQuest Marketing Manager book has helped many racers since its launch in January of 2005, and has received rave testimonials from racers competing in street stock divisions, NASCAR late models, dirt late models and sprint cars.

For a limited time, RaceQuest is providing all O’Reilly USMTS drivers that purchase the RaceQuest Marketing Manager book with a FREE Sponsorship Proposal template, complete with O’Reilly USMTS demographics, images and a Modified diagram.

Registered drivers can take advantage of this special offer online by visiting www.racequest.com/usmts.html, or by calling RaceQuest direct at 814-244-1539.

“Offering real-life examples, and cutting-edge marketing advice, racers will benefit from Catania’s experiences in motorsports,” said USMTS Communications Director Jeff Nun. which range from team owner to driver, to marketing executive.

RaceQuest, a motorsports marketing consulting firm, provides products and services that assist race teams, tracks and series with sponsorship procurement and management. Learn more about RaceQuest and preview the RaceQuest Marketing Manager at http://www.racequest.com

.To learn more about America's Premier Dirt Modified Series, call the O’Reilly USMTS headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.USMTS.com on the World Wide Web.

ERIE, Pa. (Feb. 6) -- The United States Racing Association has teamed up with RaceQuest -- a motorsports marketing consulting firm located in Erie, Pa. -- to provide registered USRA race teams with access to valuable tools that will help them find, manage and keep racing sponsors, as well as offering a line-up of racing apparel.

As a contingency sponsor of USRA, RaceQuest will offer product certificates toward the purchase of either of RaceQuest’s popular sponsorship help books, including RaceQuest Marketing Manager or the newly-released Turn-Key Racing Sponsorship Programs.

Awards will be distributed to USRA teams at the end of the season based on final point standings. USRA-sanctioned Hobby Stock and B-Modified division national champions will each receive a “Racer’s Edge Package” valued at $500 each, which includes both RaceQuest books, a sponsorship consultation and custom proposal.

Drivers finishing second- through 10th-place in the final year-end standings in all USRA-sanctioned divisions will receive an award worth $10 toward the purchase of a RaceQuest Marketing Manager or Turn-Key Racing Sponsorship Programs book, or $20 toward either eBook.

RaceQuest Marketing Manager is a highly-effective sponsorship “How To” instructional guide that helps racers with every step of the sponsorship process -- from who to talk to and how to talk to sponsors, to “The Big Idea” that will provide their team with the marketing edge. Turn-Key Racing Sponsorship provides 25 different sponsorship programs, each specific to an industry. Each program is backed by industry research, marketing insight, a sponsorship proposal concept and tips for how to sell each sponsorship concept to prospective sponsors.

“What makes Turn-Key Racing Sponsorship Programs so useful is that we have done the heavy lifting for race teams,” stated RaceQuest principal and author Bill Catania. “We selected 25 common industries that sponsor cars, and provided a full-blown strategy for how to excite them about sponsoring a race car.”

Since its release in January 2005, the RaceQuest Marketing Manager book has helped scores of drivers and tracks across the United States with their sponsorship program development, with very tangible results! USRA drivers that accumulate multiple certificates can redeem them for any of RaceQuest’s services, including sponsorship proposal development, proposal templates and proposal review services. Certificates will also have a value toward racing apparel.

“It was with the local and regional competitors in mind that I wrote both of my books, so a partnership with the USRA is only fitting,” added Catania.

For a limited time, RaceQuest is providing all USRA drivers that purchase the RaceQuest Marketing Manager book with a FREE sponsorship proposal template, complete with USRA demographics, images and a variety of car templates, including Stock Cars, Modifieds and Late Models.

Registered drivers can take advantage of this special offer online by visiting http://www.racequest.com/usra.html or by calling RaceQuest direct at 814-244-1539. Drivers will also be emailed a special promotion code to receive their free template.

“Offering real-life examples and cutting-edge marketing advice, racers will benefit from Bill’s experiences in motorsports,” said USMTS Communications Director Jeff Nun. “Bill races his own Late Model on a weekly basis, so drivers are getting real-life experience they can relate to.”

ABOUT RACEQUEST: RaceQuest, a motorsports marketing consulting firm, provides products and services that assist race teams, tracks and series with sponsorship procurement and management. Learn more about RaceQuest and preview the RaceQuest Marketing Manager at www.racequest.com.

ABOUT THE USRA: Founded in 2001, the United States Racing Association (USRA) was created to provide a combination of cost-effective rules for competitors in weekly auto racing and effective marketing strategies to assist in the growth and popularity of the tracks at which they compete. More than just a set of rules or a familiar logo, the USRA serves as a marketing partner with the bottom line of our sanctioned tracks and drivers at interest, and we are committed to maintaining guidelines to make racing affordable and fun for racers, yet exciting and competitive for fans.

USRA TITLE SPONSOR: Casey's General Stores.

USRA OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Race Tires.

USRA CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: Boyer’s Engine Development, Edelbrock, GRT Race Cars, Holley Performance Products, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, Racequest, Real Racing Wheels, TCI Automotive.

PITTSBURGH -- After a groundbreaking inaugural year in NASCAR, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare unveiled today the only smoking cessation sponsorship in NASCAR history featuring the brands Nicorette nicotine gum, NicoDerm CQ nicotine patches and Commit nicotine lozenges.

This innovative program features a NASCAR sponsorship, season-long associate sponsorships with four-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup champion Jeff Gordon and NEXTEL Cup rookie-of-the-year candidate Reed Sorenson, as well as the title sponsorship of the NASCAR Busch Series race -- the Nicorette 300 -- at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The sponsorship also includes NASCAR's "Commit to Win" NEXTEL Cup Contingency Award and sponsorships with Richard and Kyle Petty.

GSK Consumer Healthcare's NASCAR involvement also features the first-of- its-kind "QUIT Crew" program that provides smoking cessation counseling to NASCAR teams, and fans. Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, Hendrick Motorsports, and Petty Enterprises have already enrolled in the program.

NASCAR fans will also get the chance to experience the "QUIT Crew" program at GSK Consumer Healthcare's Winner's Circle exhibit, an interactive, entertaining exhibit featuring information about the benefits and challenges of quitting smoking and how Nicorette gum, NicoDerm CQ nicotine patches and Commit nicotine lozenges can help lead to a smoke-free life. The exhibit will be open to race fans at 30 NASCAR races in 2006 beginning with the Daytona 500. At last year's Winner's Circle exhibit 80,000 fans received smoking cessation counseling.

Jeff Gordon and the Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Dupont Chevrolet will have Nicorette as an associate sponsor throughout 2006. For two NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races, Nicorette Fresh Mint nicotine gum will be the primary paint scheme for Gordon and the No. 24 team. Gordon will drive the No. 24 Nicorette Fresh Mint Chevrolet at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 12 and at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on October 28.

"I am pleased to have Nicorette on board as a sponsor for the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet team in 2006," said Gordon. "Nicorette has been successful in helping people improve their health by quitting smoking. Through this sponsorship and the 'QUIT Crew' program, we will help encourage even more people to quit smoking."

Nicorette will also be an associate sponsor for Reed Sorenson and the Chip Ganassi Racing #41 Target Dodge team all season in both the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and NASCAR Busch Series while NicoDerm CQ is the sponsor on the Busch Series #41. In addition, Sorenson will race a total of six races with the primary sponsor of Nicorette nicotine gum and NicoDerm CQ nicotine patches. The rookie-of-the-year candidate will race the No. 41 Nicorette Fresh Mint Dodge in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series at the Richmond International Raceway on September 9.

Sorenson will also compete in five NASCAR Busch Series races in the No. 41 NicoDerm CQ Dodge: Bristol Motor Speedway (March 25), Dover International Speedway (June 3), Bristol Motor Speedway (August 25), Dover International Speedway (September 23), and Kansas Speedway (September 30).

"I am looking forward to getting the season started with Nicorette and NicoDerm CQ as sponsors for our No. 41 Target Dodge," said Sorenson. "Through their smoking cessation programs, several members of Chip Ganassi Racing have already quit smoking. In 2006, I look forward to helping NASCAR fans quit smoking with Nicorette and NicoDerm CQ."

In addition to the team sponsorships, Nicorette will sponsor the NASCAR Busch Series race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 18 -- the Nicorette 300. The Nicorette 300 will mark the first NASCAR race to ever be sponsored by a smoking cessation product.

The Nicorette sponsorship also includes personal sponsorships with seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty and current NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Kyle Petty. Commit nicotine lozenges will sponsor the Commit to Win Award, which is presented at every NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event for the eligible driver who leads the first lap of the race. A $75,000 bonus is presented to the driver at the end of the season that wins the most Commit to Win awards.

MOORSEVILLE, N.C. -- Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., the nation's largest chain of double drive-thru restaurants and the Official Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, today announced that it is expanding its popular Double Drive-Thru Challenge Contingency program from the NEXTEL Cup Series to include the Busch and Craftsman Truck Series as well.

During the 2005 season, Checkers/Rally's awarded $10,000 to the NEXTEL Cup team that finished with the best pit road performance each week, and awarded $100,000 to the team that recorded the most Double Drive-Thru Challenge wins throughout the season. Now, Checkers/Rally's is bringing that same pit performance excitement to the Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series.

The announcement was made today at the Penske Racing facilities in Mooresville, North Carolina, during The NASCAR Nextel Media Tour hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway.

"Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge Contingency program focuses on the brand synergies between our double drive-thru restaurants and NASCAR. We're both about speed, performance, leadership and teamwork, so our contingency program recognizes and rewards these qualities that make a successful racing team," said David Crawford, Director of Marketing, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. "Last season, Penske Racing exemplified these qualities among their drivers and their pit crews, resulting in a first and second place finish in the Double Drive-Thru Challenge (the No. 12 team with Ryan Newman and the No. 2 team with Rusty Wallace respectively)."

"These same qualities exist in the Busch and Craftsman Truck Series as well," continued Crawford, "and we're proud to now recognize and reward their accomplishments each week during the 2006 season."

The weekly contest proved to be extremely popular and motivational to the participating pit crew teams because Checkers/Rally's contingency program focuses on team performance, rather than the performance of the individual driver.

"The pit crew is truly the backbone of the team on race day," said Ryan Newman. "Checkers/Rally's recognizes and honors what a tireless, and often times thankless job, the crew guys have all season. It's nice to see them rewarded for what they do, and it's exciting to see that recognition now offered to the best pit crews in the Busch and Craftsman Truck Series."

Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge focuses on the team element of the race that is integral to successful performances each week. To win, teams were required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time in pit lane.

For details on the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, visit http://www.checkers.com/nascar/index.html. The multi-year NASCAR and International Speedway Corporation sponsorships are contracted through Checkers/Rally's NPF, Inc.

LAS VEGAS -- TCR, the agency of record for Playboy Racing, and Playboy Enterprises today announced a multi- partner, multi-car deal for 2006-2008 Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve and the Grand-Am Cup Series. The six car effort will include three Rolex Series Daytona Prototypes and three Grand- Am Cup cars which will debut at the 2006 Rolex 24 At Daytona and will run through the conclusion of the 2008 season.

TCR announced a world class partnership which includes Playboy Enterprises, Uniden Electronics, The Palms Resort & Casino and Vonage. The Ford-powered Crawford Daytona Prototype and Ford Mustang GT Cup entries will be operated by Finlay Motorsports located in Mooresville, NC. The two Pontiac-powered Rileys will be run by the Oxnard, CA-based Pacific Coast Motorsports operation and Unitech Racing in Rosamond, CA will enter two Playboy Nissan 350Z Grand-Am Cup cars.

The #19 Playboy/Uniden/Palms Ford Crawford Daytona Prototype will be piloted by Memo Gidley and Michael McDowell, with IndyCar driver Alex Barron joining them for the season premiere Rolex 24 At Daytona. Playboy, Vonage and The Palms will support the #89 Pontiac Riley Daytona Prototype entry, which will be driven by Alex Figge and Ryan Dalziel. They will be complemented by Jon Fogarty and 2005 Grand-Am Cup Champion David Empringham for the Rolex 24 At Daytona event. The #15 Playboy/Palms Ford Mustang GT Grand-Am Cup car will be driven by Rob Finlay and Michael McDowell. The #35 Playboy Nissan 350Z will be driven by Tommy Constantine and Mike Borkowski and the #33 Playboy Nissan 350Z will be driven by Blake Rosser and David Murry in the Grand-Am Cup Series.

Beginning just after the Rolex 24 in late January, Playboy, the Palms and a yet to be named co-sponsor will be sponsoring a third Daytona Prototype entry.

The #53 Playboy Pontiac Riley will be driven by Tommy Constantine and a yet to be named co-driver for the remainder of the 2006 season and beyond. The program will include exclusive Event Hospitality and Entertainment venues with guest appearances by Playboy Playmates at each of the races and at Playboy-sponsored VIP "After Race" events. There will also be a Palms- sponsored year-end bash at the Palms Resort & Casino in Las Vegas at the end of the racing season.

"We are thrilled to announce this partnership with TCR and to enter the exciting world of auto racing," said Lisa Natale, SVP of Corporate Marketing for Playboy. "Both Playboy fans and racing fans are enthusiastic and passionate so we view this partnership as a perfect branding opportunity for us. We are looking forward to the season and to working with TCR to ensure all divisions of Playboy Enterprises can participate in this tremendous program."

"Playboy, in its 50 year history, has never participated in professional auto racing at this level," said TCR CEO Tommy Constantine. "Our partnership is a testament to this racing series and our program. The Playboy brand is an American Icon and we are proud to be a part of it."

"Partnering with Playboy to take part in the Rolex Series will provide Uniden a unique industry opportunity to build brand visibility," said Larry Johannes, Senior Director of Marketing for Uniden America Corporation. "The Rolex Sports Car Series is the upper echelon in sports car racing and this partnership complements our branding efforts in this market."

"Vonage's partnership with TCR in the Rolex Series gives us the opportunity to promote our full-featured, inexpensive, flat-rate broadband telephony service plans to technology savvy auto racing fans," stated Michael Tribolet, president, Vonage America.

"As a sponsor of the 2005 IndyCar Championship and Indy 500-winning Andretti-Green team, we have really come to appreciate the effectiveness of auto racing," said George Maloof, CEO of the Palms Resort Casino. "TCR has put together an incredible program in the Rolex Series which allows us to expand on our already successful involvement in motorsports."

"Playboy is one of the world's most recognizable brands, and we are thrilled that this innovative partnership has developed," said Grand American Road Racing Association President Roger Edmondson. "Die-hard race fans are undoubtedly aware of Uniden, as Bearcat scanners are prevalent in grandstands of motorsports events everywhere, while The Palms and Vonage have established themselves as cutting-edge companies in the 21st Century. The addition of these companies to our paddock speaks to the significant growth of our organization and is most certainly a feather in our cap."

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Con-Way Transportation Services, Inc. today announced that they will be the primary sponsor on the No. 60 Wyler Racing team for the 2006 race season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

"Con-Way's entry into racing by our association with the Wyler organization and their driver, Jack Sprague, is an exciting new way to extend the Con-Way brand into the marketplace.
The Con-Way 60 truck will be campaigned by a first class racing organization and offer significant branding, customer entertainment and employee participation opportunities," said David S. McClimon, president of Con-Way.

The race team is owned by Jeff Wyler of the Cincinnati-based Jeff Wyler Automotive Family of Dealerships and competed in 15 Craftsman Truck Series events during the 2005 season. Three time series champion, Jack Sprague drives for Wyler. "We are extremely excited about our partnership with Con-Way," Jeff Wyler commented. "They have built a reputation in their industry for superior service and quality customer service that mirrors the Wyler organization's culture and formula for success. We couldn't be more pleased for the opportunity to work with them.

Crew Chief Tony Furr has put together a top flight team in a short period of time and together with Jack Sprague and Con- Way we will be a serious contender for the 2006 championship." Sprague, who made the switch from Chevrolet for the first time in his career to Toyota, dominated the fall 2005 Atlanta race leading 45 laps before a last turn accident spoiled the win. He went on to bring home the team's best finish at the season finale at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in the second place position -- providing the momentum they plan on carrying into the 2006 season. With a successful test this past weekend at the Daytona International Speedway behind them, the No. 60 Con-Way Toyota Tundra team is focused on the season opener February 17 at the Daytona Beach International Speedway.

"We have one expectation for 2006 and it is to win the championship for Con-Way, Wyler Racing and Toyota," said Sprague (http://www.jacksprague.com ). "The talent the Wyler's have put together with Crew Chief Tony Furr, Toyota's support and now with Con-Way aboard we have already taken our first step towards a championship year. This series has grown so much since its beginnings and it really speaks volumes for the sport of truck racing when an organization of Con-Way's caliber comes aboard. It should be an exciting year for all their employees and customers."

Sprague holds the most records in the history of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and is the only three-time series Champion -- 1997, 1999 and 2001. His records include winning the most poles, 28 total, the most top-five and top-10 finishes, most miles completed, miles led and most races finished on the lead lap and is second on the all-time win list with 25 trips to victory lane.

Con-Way Transportation Services, Inc. is a $2.6 billion transportation and services company that provides time-definite and day-definite freight delivery and logistics services for commercial and industrial businesses in the United States, Canada and Mexico. All Con-Way operating components are ISO certified for 9001 and 14001 and the less-than-truckload and expedite units are C- TPAT/PIP certified and FAST highway carriers. Con-Way is a subsidiary of San Mateo, California-based CNF Inc., a $4.0 billion freight transportation, logistics, supply chain management and trailer manufacturing company.

Further information about Con- Way and additional press releases are available via the Internet at ... http://www.con-way.com . For more information on Wyler Racing go to http://www.wylerracing.com .

SOURCE Con-Way Transportation Services, Inc. Joseph DeLuca of Con-Way Transportation Services, Inc., +1-734-769-0203, e-mail:deluca.joe@con-way.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- Best Buy announced today that it will sponsor the No. 66 Haas CNC Racing team in the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series with driver Jeff Green. "This is really good news for me and our team," said Green, the 2000 Busch Series champion. "Joining Best Buy Haas CNC Racing is a real thrill for me.

With Best Buy coming on board and our plans for a new race shop, I think we have a pretty bright future ahead of us." Green said joining this team allows him to work with crew chief Robert (Bootie) Barker, who he has long admired. "We have the makings of a very good team.

With Bootie as my crew chief, and a terrific crew and equipment to work with, I know I'm going to have a good year," said the Owensboro, Ken. native who, in addition to his 2000 Busch Series championship, owns 16 Busch Series victories and five top-5 finishes in Nextel Cup competition. "Haas CNC Racing is a top-notch organization and I think we will make some headlines in 2006." The Haas team has raced No.0 since 2003, and in 2006 the team's Chevrolet Monte Carlos will wear No. 66. This number was selected in recognition of the 40th anniversary of Best Buy, which opened its doors as Sound of Music in 1966 and is now North America's leading retailer of consumer electronics.

While Best Buy will serve as primary sponsor on the No. 66 for a minimum of 12 races, Mike Linton, chief marketing officer for Best Buy, anticipates the No. 66 will have full sponsorship throughout the 2006 season, with additional announcements coming soon. "Our entry into the world of NASCAR last year was a fun experience--energizing both Best Buy employees and customers," Linton said. "As we looked to expand our presence this year, it was an easy choice to continue with the Haas CNC team. Anyone can do a sponsorship but not everyone can create a partnership and have fun at the same time. We know it's going to be a great season and that Jeff is going to be a great driver for the team." The Best Buy sponsorship will be highlighted on the No. 66 car as well as on driver and crew uniforms, trailers and merchandising items. Additionally the Best Buy Fun Zone Technology vehicle, a mobile unit featuring interactive technology displays, will make appearances at select races. Best Buy stores in key locations also will host driver and car appearances throughout the season. The Haas CNC Racing team is owned by Gene Haas, who founded Haas Automation in 1983.

Based in Oxnard, California, Haas Automation is the largest machine tool manufacturer in the United States. Haas said the combination of a secure sponsorship combined with a championship-caliber driver and crew chief has created the most excitement at his 90-person race shop since it started in Nextel Cup racing in 2002. "There is a lot of excitement about this season--from Best Buy coming on as primary sponsor to Jeff Green taking over the car," said Haas. "We're looking forward to coming out of the gate strong at the Daytona 500 and being a contender for the championship." The race team is currently based in Harrisburg, NC, where it occupies a 40,000-square-foot building containing both the business offices and the garage where Haas cars are prepared for upcoming races. The team plans to break ground on a new state-of-the-art 140,000-square-foot shop on 23 acres at the Kannapolis, N.C., Gateway Business Park on Jan. 19.

About Best Buy Co., Inc. Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) is an innovative Fortune 100 growth company that continually strives to create superior customer experiences. Through more than 930 retail stores across the United States and in Canada, our employees connect customers with technology and entertainment products and services that make life easier and more fun. We sell consumer electronics, home-office products, entertainment software, appliances and related services. A Minneapolis-based company, our operations include: Best Buy (BestBuy.com and BestBuy.ca), Future Shop (FutureShop.ca), Geek Squad (GeekSquad.com and GeekSquad.ca) and Magnolia Audio Video (Magnoliaav.com). We support our communities through employee volunteerism and grants from The Best Buy Children's Foundation.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Bill Catania
(814) 461-9436
bcatania@bensur.com

Skinny Cow Milk to Sponsor Grand American Driver Matt Mullins in Grand Am Cup 200 at Daytona

DALLAS, TX (January 16, 2006) Grand American Series Cup driver Matt Mullins announced today that Skinny Cow Milk will sponsor his BMW entry in the Grand Am Cup opener at Daytona International Speedway, January 26th - 29th. Mullins will join well-known Automatic Racing for the Daytona event, who will supply him with the Skinny Cow Milk BMW M3.

The sponsorship is the first for Skinny Cow Fat-Free Milk, which is produced and marketed by Dean Foods, the largest distributor of milk in the nation. Skinny Cow, a Dreyer’s brand, is well known for producing a line-up of ice cream products, and boasts making a healthy life a happy one. “We understand the power of motorsports marketing, and look forward to delivering a marketing program with Matt through the Grand Am series that will add value to our retail customers” stated Tom Murrin, Vice President of Private Label sales for Dean Foods.

“Our entire race team is thrilled to have Skinny Cow Milk as our newest sponsor,” driver Matt Mullins said. “We all know that quality sponsors are the lifeblood of our sport and we have a great partner in Skinny Cow Milk. We’re looking forward to representing Skinny Cow Milk at Daytona, and look forward to competing on a regular basis in the Grand Am Cup series in 2006.”

Matt Mullins is a full time Driving Instructor at the BMW Performance Driving School in Spartanburg, SC. Additionally, Mullins has been a stunt driver in commercials and movies with the most recent being the Will Ferrell NASCAR feature with the working title “High, Wide, and Handsome” due for release in the summer. He also has a recurring professional driver role in a series of comparison videos for MINI.

Mullins began racing in 1990 and has experience in a wide range of cars. He started out in the Russell Formula Mazda series has performed in various NASCAR racing series, including the NASCAR Winston Late Model Series, the NASCAR Sportsman Superspeedway Series, the ARCA RE/MAX Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. In 2000, he ran a limited schedule with BAM Racing and Midgley Motorsports, and in 2002 he returned to national competition in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving a truck owned by Daytona 500 winner and Fox TV analyst Derrike Cope. In the Daytona opener Matt drove Dean Foods’ Folger’s Jakada truck,

Beginning on Thursday January 26th, both chocolate and regular Skinny Cow Milk will be available in the Grand Am Paddock Club, for the over 700 race team members, owners, and guests, to enjoy throughout the Daytona race weekend.

Skinny Cow is the milk and ice cream that makes your healthy life a whole lot happier with a rich and creamy taste that is unlike other low-fat brands. A full variety of flavors can be enjoyed in ice cream sandwiches, ice cream bars and sundaes. Skinny Cow offers no sugar added and carb-friendly versions of their products and can be found at stores nationwide.
Dean Foods is the largest processor and distributor of milk and other dairy products in the country and also one of the leading food and beverage companies in the US. Through their WhiteWave Foods division, they are also the nation's leading manufacturer of soymilk, organic milk and other organic foods. Dean operates more than 110 plants in the United States, Spain, Portugal and Great Britain, and employs more than 26,000 people.

###

For additional information contact:

Bill Catania
BENSUR :: Creative Marketing Group
(814) 461-9436
bcatania@bensur.com.

GLENDORA, Calif. -- SummitRacing Equipment, an industry leader in the distribution of performance automotive parts and equipment through catalogs and the Internet, signed a multi-year deal with NHRA to remain the primary sponsor for the NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, NHRA Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Gary Darcy, announced today.

The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals will be held May 4-7 at the Commerce, Ga.-based quarter-mile facility. The $1.8 million race, which will be televised by ESPN2, is the seventh of 23 events in the NHRA POWERade Series for 2006. "We're pleased that Summit Racing will continue their support of the NHRA POWERade Series as title sponsor of the Southern Nationals," Darcy said. "We're confident that this event sponsorship will greatly benefit Summit Racing's already dynamic partnership with NHRA."In addition to the Southern Nationals, Summit Racing is the primary sponsor for the first of the two POWERade Series events in Las Vegas, the NHRA Summitracing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, April 6-9, as well as the presenting sponsor for the Pontiac Performance NHRA Nationals held at National Trail Raceway near Columbus, Ohio, May 18-21.

Summit Racing Equipment also is the title sponsor of the NHRA's bracket racing series that supports grassroots racers across the country.Summit Racing Equipment also serves as title sponsor of three-time and defending POWERade Series Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson and third-year driver Jason Line, each of whom drives a Pontiac GTO.Anderson has won back-to-back races in Atlanta and his win there in 2005 propelled him to a three-race winning streak that served as the springboard for another championship season."We are excited to continue our participation in NHRA championship drag racing," said Jeff Winters, marketing team manager, Summit Racing Equipment. "As our past marketing initiatives have demonstrated, NHRA is the perfect place for our company to do business. We fully expect to leverage this continued partnership with NHRA and the Southern Nationals to strengthen our position in the motorsports marketplace, and with our newly constructed retail store and distribution center in McDonough, Georgia."Summit Racing Equipment, the industry's largest direct marketer of performance automotive and truck equipment, is based in Tallmadge, Ohio.It boasts a newly-constructed retail store and distribution center in McDonough, Ga. and it additionally has warehouses in Tallmadge and Sparks, Nev. and McDonough, Ga.Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 23 national events through its NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

The NHRA has 80,000 members and 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series, and NHRA Street Legal Program presented by AAA. NHRA also offers the NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.

SALEM, Ind. -- PitBoxes.com owner Ricky Sanders has announced that PitBoxes.com has agreed to continue its sponsorship of the CRA Super Series for the upcoming 2006 10th Anniversary race season. PitBoxes.com will award the 4th place finisher at every CRA Super Series event with a $100 Product Certificate. In addition, PitBoxes.com will award the 4th place finisher in 2006 CRA Super Series final points with a $400 Product Certificate. “I am very excited to continue to involve PitBoxes.com with the CRA Super Series in 2006,” remarked Sanders.

“The CRA Super Series provides PitBoxes.com with a venue to market our products to grass root racers involved with the series and at the tracks the series will compete at in 2006. I always enjoyed racing a late model, the CRA Super Series is involved in some great things with late models and we want to be there with them!”PitBoxes.com, based in Stockbridge, Georgia, specializes in producing both Standard and Custom Built Pit Boxes for all types of racing. PitBoxes.com has been building Pit Boxes for over ten years. PitBoxes.com has six Standard Boxes, but will custom build anything from a simple roll around cart to large toolboxes. PitBoxes.com has even built 10-foot long boxes and specialized boxes with computers and satellites.

More information on PitBoxes.com is available at www.PitBoxes.com, or call 888-274-8679.