Team Monte Carlo Goes “Looney Tunes” At Richmond International Raceway

(September 6, 2001 – Burbank, CA) - Chevrolet, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Action Performance Companies, Inc., will treat race fans to an action-packed schedule of family-oriented activities at the upcoming NASCAR weekend at Richmond International Raceway. The schedule, commencing Thursday, September 6 and running through Saturday, September 8, 2001, will feature Looney Tunes costume character appearances, a concert by Atlantic recording artist Tracy Lawrence, AOL (America Online) interactive displays, product samplings, Chevrolet vehicle displays and much more. This latest association between Chevrolet and Warner Bros, announced earlier this summer, enables Team Monte Carlo to call on experienced team member the Tasmanian Devil and his Looney Tunes friends to help the seven Team Monte Carlo drivers find the attitude needed to win what is sure to be a wild race. Said Dan Romanelli, president of Warner Bros. Worldwide Consumer Products, “We’re confident that the Looney Tunes’ own brand of wacky ingenuity will lend a competitive edge to the Team Monte Carlo drivers.” The FanFest pavilion opens to the public on Thursday, September 6, when Looney Tunes costume characters will be on hand for photographs and to greet fans as they arrive at the track. Throughout the weekend, fans of all ages can expect Chevrolet production and showcar vehicle displays, video games and interactive displays from AOL, product samplings, as well as event-themed merchandise available for purchase from Action Performance -- all at the FanFest pavilion. “Without the fans, none of this would be possible,” said Don Parkinson, Monte Carlo Brand Manager. “This promotion and the events surrounding it show our appreciation for the fans’ unwavering support and enthusiasm for the sport. Our extended Chevrolet, Warner Bros. and Action Performance family offers the activities of this race weekend as A Tribute to the American Family.” “One thing always has been true about racing – it is a sport that families enjoy together,” added Fred Wagenhals, Action’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “There is no better way to showcase the family institution than bringing a true slice of Americana – the Looney Tunes – to the racetrack.” Friday begins with what is sure to become a classic: The Looney Tunes 400 - an all-out, 400-yard sprint to the finish line down the backstretch of the track - featuring the seven Team Monte Carlo NASCAR drivers and their Looney Tunes counterparts racing customized golf carts. This animated race is scheduled to take place from 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. and will be followed by a meet-and-greet session with the Looney Tunes characters at the Fan Fest Pavilion from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday features a variety of special activities, including: • A special live pre-race concert in the infield of RIR on Saturday evening by Atlantic recording artist Tracy Lawrence. One of the defining country music artists of the ‘90s , Tracy will not only perform a special pre-race concert, he also will sing the National Anthem live on TNT for the evening’s race. • The Motor Racing Outreach (MRO) Children’s Choir performing God Bless America during pre-race ceremonies. • Bill Lovejoy - General Motors Group Vice President, North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing - as the Grand Marshall of the Monte Carlo 400 with the Looney Tunes. • Nikki Cox star of Warner Bros.’ “Nikki” on The WB will get engines revving as the Honorary Starter for the Monte Carlo 400 with the Looney Tunes. • John Schneider, one of the stars of the highly anticipated Warner Bros. series “Smallville,” debuting on October 16 on The WB Network, will lead the field to the green flag as celebrity passenger in the Chevy Monte Carlo pace car. The highlight of this race weekend will surely come when the seven Team Monte Carlo drivers and their special Looney Tunes-themed cars take to the track – with a Chevrolet Monte Carlo pace car finished in a specially - formulated ChromaLusion paint by DuPont leading the pack to the green flag. While the Looney Tunes characters will leave the driving to the professionals, they’ll be cheering their alter egos to victory along with the 100,000+ fans in attendance at Richmond International Raceway. By the time the checkered flag falls on Saturday evening, the Looney Tunes gang hopes to be visiting Victory Circle with one of the drivers who are part of this extended racing family. As Dan Romanelli, president of Warner Bros. Worldwide Consumer Products states, “Warner Bros. has been entertaining families around the world for more than 75 years. We are thrilled and honored to continue the tradition during the Chevy Monte Carlo 400 with the Looney Tunes race weekend. We hope all the families and fans who come out to the race will cheer our teams to victory.” With Chevrolet’s tradition as the winningest brand in NASCAR Winston Cup history, anything is possible! Adds Parkinson, “The same reasons that make the Monte Carlo a winner on the track – aerodynamic styling, a powerful engine and responsive handling – makes it a winner in the eyes of consumers who are excited about owning a car that is ’classy with a wild streak.’” The Chevrolet Monte Carlo has the heart and soul of a champion, having won more races and more championships than any other car in the modern era of NASCAR. The Monte Carlo embodies the spirit of its NASCAR counterpart through its emphasis on a performance-oriented driving experience. Warner Bros. Consumer Products is a division of Warner Bros., an AOL Time Warner Company, and is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world. # # #