Sharpe Manufacturing Joins NASCAR Automotive Aftermarket Program

MINNEAPOLIS--Sept. 4, 2003--Graco Inc. announced today that the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and Sharpe Manufacturing, Santa Fe Springs, CA, have reached an agreement for Sharpe Manufacturing to join the NASCAR Automotive Aftermarket marketing program. The agreement names Sharpe Manufacturing the "Officially Licensed Infra-Red Paint Curing Equipment of NASCAR."

Sharpe supplies infrared paint curing systems, paint spray guns, air controls and related parts and accessories to the automotive refinish professional. Established in 1921, the Sharpe brand is well respected in the professional automotive refinishing industry. Sharpe sells its products through a distributor network of warehouse distributors, automotive refinish jobbers and Original Equipment Manufacturers.

"Sharpe and NASCAR are a natural fit and we're very excited," says John Mazzotta, General Manager of Sharpe Manufacturing. "Speed and performance are critical to the success of a NASCAR race team, just as it is for our customers. Combining Sharpe's Infratech infra-red curing equipment with the proper selection of Sharpe spray equipment and clean air products, the speed and quality of refinish work is dramatically improved."

The NASCAR Automotive Aftermarket program, developed in 1996, builds awareness for the sport by creating marketing alliances with leading manufacturers in the automotive industry. The Aftermarket group recently launched its newest marketing program called the NASCAR Performance Network. Located on NASCAR.com, consumers can utilize the NASCAR Performance Network to find automotive service and body shop repair facilities near their home who value an association with NASCAR and its loyal fan base.

NASCAR is one of America's most popular professional sports with more than 75 million fans and 17 of the top 20 most attended events in the U.S. last year. NASCAR sanctions 1,800 events at 120 tracks in 38 states across the country.

Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids in both industrial and commercial applications. It designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid materials. A recognized leader in its specialties, Minneapolis-based Graco serves customers around the world in the manufacturing, processing, construction and maintenance industries.