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Dura-Lube to Sponsor Phoenix IRL Event

28 February 1998

PHOENIX, -- Dura-Lube, a breakthrough engine treatment first introduced in 1986, has expanded its high-profile involvement at Phoenix International Raceway, committing to the title sponsorship of the Pep Boys Indy Racing League (IRL) "Dura-Lube 200" March 20 - 22 on the world's fastest one-mile oval.

The sponsorship also marks an expansion of the Stamford, Conn.-based company's participation in motorsports on a national level and a return to the IRL where it presented the 1996 Dura-Lube 200 at Phoenix.

"We're delighted Dura-Lube will be with us in March," said track president Emmett "Buddy" Jobe. "Sonny Howard (Dura-Lube CEO) and his staff have played an important role in the success of this track and its events, and their continued support is important and appreciated."

In addition to its renewed role in the Phoenix Mile's IRL weekend, Dura-Lube has been the title sponsor of the track's annual NASCAR Winston Cup Series Dura-Lube 500 since 1995.

"Phoenix International Raceway is first-class," said Howard from Las Vegas, where his Dura-Lube and Dura-Shine cars will compete in the NASCAR Busch Series Sam's Town 300.

"Everything about the track and its events is professionally presented and we're proud to be a part of that.

"When you have a fantastic product line like the Dura-Lube line, your most difficult task is getting the message across to your customers," said Howard, who six years ago offered a $100,000 challenge if any product could equal Dura-Lube's performance attributes -- a challenge that today remains unanswered.

"The response we have received over the years through our association with the Winston Cup Series, the Busch Series, the Featherlite Modified Series and at individual tracks such as Phoenix International Raceway has been fantastic, and has shown us how eager motorsports fans are to support racing and the products and companies who are involved."

Through motorsports and a four-year involvement at Phoenix International Raceway, Dura-Lube has attracted many new customers to a long and impressive line of car-care products. Dura-Lube is not a motor oil or oil additive, but a metal conditioner featuring a precision blend of high-tech petroleum components that penetrates the surface of a vehicle's engine, providing a shield against damaging friction.

The full Dura-Lube product line includes Dura-Lube Advanced Engine Treatment, Dura-Lube Advanced Fuel System Treatment, Dura-Lube All Purpose Spray, Dura-Lube Transmission Treatment and Dura-Lube Cooling System Treatment.

The company's appearance items are Dura Shine Polish, Dura-Wash/Renewer and Glass Shield by Dura-Lube.

About the Dura-Lube 200: The Dura-Lube 200 marks the 54th running of the Indy-style cars at Phoenix International Raceway...Only the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (119) and the Milwaukee Mile (95) have hosted more of these races...The past 17 Indy-style races at Phoenix have produced 14 different winners, including last year's champion, Jim Guthrie... While Guthrie, Arie Luyendyk and Roberto Guerrero are the projected Dura-Lube 200 starters who have won Indy-style races at Phoenix International Raceway, other IRL hopefuls who have won trophies on the world's fastest one-mile oval are Billy Boat (USAC Midgets), Jimmy Kite (USAC Silver Crown), Davey Hamilton (super modifies), Sam Schmidt (Formula 2000), Mike Groff (Indy Lights, Super Vee), Robbie Groff (Indy Lights) and Tony Stewart...Stewart, in fact, won the USAC Midget and USAC Silver Crown races at the Feb. 1 Skoal Bandit Racing Copper World Classic...Look for a new track record for the new IRL cars (normally-aspirated engines since 1996, instead of the turbocharged powerplants of earlier years) during Oldsmobile Pole Day on Saturday, March 21--- during the "Test in the West" open testing earlier this week, seven drivers posted faster speeds than the current standard of 170.012 mph set last March by Tony Stewart...Fastest of the fast was Scott Sharp at 174.893 mph...Included on the three-day Dura-Lube 200 schedule of events are a March 21 race featuring the STAR Formula Mazda Series (25 laps/25 miles) and a March 22 race for the Formula 2000 Championship (50 laps/miles)...The F-2000 race precedes the Dura-Lube 200, which takes the green flag at 2 p.m....Also on the schedule is an autograph session with the IRL drivers on March 21, free to race-goers at the end of Saturday's schedule of activities.

Ticket Window: Tickets to the Dura-Lube 200 can be purchased at all Dillard's Box Office outlets (1-800-638-4253) or by calling the Phoenix International Raceway ticket office at (602) 252-227...Friday and Saturday general admission tickets are $10 and $20, respectively, with youths 12 and under admitted free...Sunday's reserved grandstand seating ranges from $110 (Victory Circle seating that includes a hospitality setting, continental breakfast, BBQ lunch and VIP parking) to $30, with a $5 youth ticket available in the Foyt and Petty Grandstands.