NASCAR Fan to Win Chance to “Begin the Batman Begins 400 at MIS”

(May 13, 2005 - Richmond, VA) – Gotham City will meet the Motor City when the Batmobile takes to the track at Michigan International Speedway for the Batman Begins 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race on June 19. Warner Bros. Consumer Products, on behalf of DC Comics, and Michigan International Speedway (MIS) announced today that one lucky fan will win the chance of a lifetime to drop the green flag to start the race by entering the “Begin the Batman Begins 400 at MIS” promotion. The promotion will run from May 23-June 6. The “Begin the Batman Begins 400 at MIS,” a partnership between Warner Bros. Consumer Products, DC Comics, Michigan International Speedway (MIS), NASCAR.com, racingone.com, speedtv.com, and the group of Knight-Ridder Digital websites, will offer one person the incredible opportunity of dropping the green flag to start the race as the 43 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series cars rumble to the starting line. The announcement was made today at Richmond International Raceway by NASCAR star Mark Martin, who will pilot a "Batman Begins"-themed Ford in the Batman Begins 400, and MIS President Brett Shelton. The Batman Begins 400 marks the first time a major motion picture has served as the entitlement sponsor of a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event. "Batman Begins," the highly anticipated film from Warner Bros. Pictures, opens worldwide on June 15. The “Begin the Batman Begins 400 at MIS” program will offer one fan, chosen at random, the opportunity to not only wave the green flag to start the Batman Begins 400, but also receive a VIP racing experience at MIS. Fans can enter the program online at www.begintherace.com. “The entire Batman Begins 400 race weekend is going to be a very exciting event, and we are pleased to be able to give this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to start the race back to NASCAR fans with this promotion,” said Dan Romanelli, President, Warner Bros. Worldwide Consumer Products. “At Michigan International Speedway, we pride ourselves in providing a rewarding experience for all of our fans,” said Shelton. “The ‘Begin the Batman Begins 400 at MIS’ program takes it to another level, and we are happy to help provide this tremendous opportunity.” Race fans will have a front-row seat for a one-of-a-kind celebration of the film’s launch when the Batmobile from the film leads the pack of 43 race cars off of pit road to start the battle for the checkered flag. Besides the on-track action that fans will be able to enjoy during the weekend, the newly redesigned AAA Motorsports Fan Plaza behind the main grandstand at Michigan International Speedway, will incorporate the Batman Begins Fan Zone, which will feature the Batmobile from the film, Mark Martin’s "Batman Begins"-themed car, the Ricky Craven truck, and the fantasy and event cars that are part of the weekend’s Batman action. The Batman Begins Fan Zone will also include other activities and exclusive merchandise based on the film and the Batman Begins 400. Roush Racing legend Mark Martin will get a little extra Batman power to help him get to Victory Lane, as his Ford will feature a special "Batman Begins" paint scheme for the race. Martin’s fellow Roush Racing driver, Ricky Craven, will also be sporting a "Batman Begins" scheme during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event on June 18. # # #