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Brickyard 400: Universal Studios Colors on Michael Waltrip's Car at Indy

31 July 1998

INDIANAPOLIS: Universal Studios Consumer Products Group and Wood Brothers Racing Team, along with driver Michael Waltrip, announce a special paint scheme, celebrating the return of Woody Woodpecker to TV.

The venture teams Universal with one of NASCAR's most popular drivers, Michael Waltrip and the famed Wood Brothers Racing Team. The Wood Brothers' lineup of drivers over the years reads like a Who's Who in NASCAR. Sixteen of "NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers" have piloted the Wood Brothers' cars over the past 48 years.

Michael Waltrip, the younger of the two Waltrip brothers, won the 1996 Winston Select all-star race. Waltrip ran five NASCAR Winston Cup Series races in 1985, then followed that up with a second-place finish in the Rookie of the Year race to Alan Kulwicki in 1986. He has a total of seven NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division victories and eleven NASCAR Busch Series Busch Poles.

Woody Woodpecker and Friends merchandise will be supported by the launch of the all-new animated television series, The Woody Woodpecker Show, scheduled to debut on the Fox Kids Network in November 1998. Woody Woodpecker will also be the ambassador for Universal Studios Escape, the exciting destination resort opening Summer 1999 in Orlando, Florida. Woody Woodpecker's KidsZone, a specially themed area will include Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster, a theme ride featuring design elements from Woody's cartoon universe. In addition to the television series and theme park attractions, Woody Woodpecker will be supported by all Universal Studios divisions, including licensing, promotions, home video and new media.

This agreement with Michael Waltrip and The Wood Brothers Racing Team marks Universal's fifth special paint scheme in the NASCAR Winsont Cup Series. Univeral has featured some of its feature films, theme part attraction and television properties including Jurassic Park: The Ride, featured on Jeff Gordon's Winston Cup car at The Winston in 1997.

Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is part of Universal Studios. Universal is a diversified entertainment company and a worldwide leader in motion pictures, television, music, home and location based entertainment. Universal is a unit of the Seagram Company, Ltd.