PennDOT Announces New NASCAR Plate; Popular Spectator Sport Gets Its Own License Plate, Benefits Charity

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 20, 2004 -- The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that the latest edition to its Specialty License Plate Program, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) plate, is now available to Pennsylvania registered vehicle owners.

"With NASCAR being a popular spectator sport in Pennsylvania, the NASCAR license plate gives Pennsylvania registered vehicle owners an opportunity to proudly display their favorite NASCAR driver and at the same time support a great cause," said State Transportation Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. "Each time a NASCAR plate is purchased, it helps to improve a child's quality of life."

A portion of the proceeds of each sold NASCAR license plate will go to Victory Junction Gang Camp, a non-profit organization aimed at enriching the lives of children who have a terminal or chronic illness. Victory Junction was founded by actor Paul Newman and NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, along with his wife Pattie in honor of their son, Adam, who died in 2000 while practicing for a race.

"Besides supporting a charity, the NASCAR plates are a colorful reflection of Pennsylvanians' love of NASCAR," said Biehler.

Each of the 33 NASCAR license plates represents a different NASCAR driver and displays a detailed graphic image of the driver's emblem or logo on the left side of the plate. The NASCAR plate is part of the Specialty Plate Program, which PennDOT recently introduced to enable qualified and interested organizations the opportunity to promote their cause through the sale of a uniquely designed license plate. A graphic image of a NASCAR license plate can be viewed at http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/.

NASCAR license plates, as with all plates in the Specialty Plate Program, are restricted to passenger vehicles, trucks and motor homes with a registered gross weight of not more than 9,000 lbs. The plates are not available for motorcycles and trailers.

To apply for a NASCAR license plate, customers will need to complete Form MV913 (Application for Victory Junction [NASCAR] Registration Plate), which can be downloaded at http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/. The cost of the license plate is $54. Two separate checks are needed along with a completed MV913: a check for $20 made payable to the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;" and a check for $34 made payable to Victory Junction Gang Camp. Checks and the completed MV913 should be mailed to: Pennsylvania Race Plate Applications, P.O. Box 366, Point Marion, PA, 15474.

Victory Junction will submit the applications to PennDOT for processing. Customers should allow a minimum of four to six weeks to receive their new license plate.

Customers will be able to apply for NASCAR plates for drivers of the 2004 season until the end of February 2005. At that time, a new MV913 will be issued reflecting the 2005 season.