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NASCAR WCUP: Kenny Wallace/Square D to Create Multi-Car Team with Andy Petree

5 September 1998

PALATINE, Ill., - Square D Company announced today that it will team with one of Andy Petree Racing's (APR) multi-car operations in 1999. Kenny Wallace, who has competed for three years in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series with support from Square D, will be the driver.

The three-year deal means that the maker of electrical distribution, control and automation products will continue its successful NASCAR sponsorship. The 95-year-old company will be the primary sponsor for Wallace's No. 55 Chevrolet Monte Carlos that he'll use to compete alongside the No. 33 Chevrolets of APR teammate Ken Schrader.

"Our four-year association in NASCAR as a team sponsor has provided great opportunities for us to build relationships with our customers and increase the awareness of Square D," said Ken Fairleigh, vice president of sales and marketing for Square D. "Our new relationship with Andy Petree Racing is an extension of our commitment to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and the benefits we enjoy through our sponsorship and hospitality programs."

"In the last three years of my Winston Cup career, the one constant has been my sponsor - Square D Company," said Wallace. "I can't say enough about them, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to represent them.

"I've been searching the Winston Cup garage for the right chemistry to take me to victory lane. This is an opportunity to join a proven team and work together with a family friend - Ken Schrader. I look forward to helping APR climb to another level of success."

Work is already in progress at Petree's Asheville, N.C., facility to ready a fleet of Square D Chevrolets for the 1999 season, where ironically, Square D has a large manufacturing plant.

"We're doing a lot of planning right now as we get ready to run a two-car team next year," said Petree, owner and crew chief for Schrader's No. 33 Chevrolets. "We'll still have a driver in the 55 car at Daytona in October, and we'll be building cars and buying the equipment needed to field two competitive teams when we unload at Daytona in February.

"Square D is going to be great to work with because they already have an excellent understanding of the sport. They realize the challenges of Winston Cup racing, and their support will be a great asset to this race team." Beginning in 1995 as an associate sponsor with FILMAR Racing in the NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division, Wallace won two races for Square D - the 1995 Hardee's 250 and the 1996 Autolite 250, both at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.

Square D and FILMAR Racing made the jump into the Winston Cup waters in 1996. During that inaugural year, Square D acted as a co-primary sponsor for FILMAR's fleet of Ford Thunderbirds, as T.I.C. Financial Systems adorned the No. 81's quarterpanels. Square D strengthened its motorsports involvement in 1997 by becoming the sole primary sponsor for Wallace and FILMAR Racing, a relationship that continues in 1998. Altogether, Square D and FILMAR Racing have garnered two Winston Cup poles, one Winston West Series pole and a total of nine top-10 finishes thus far.

Square D Company, based in Palatine, Ill., is an industry-leading manufacturer of electrical distribution, industrial control and automation products, systems and service.