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NASCAR BGN: Brewco Motorsports Adds Third NASCAR Busch Series Team to Roster

16 December 1998

Kevin Lepage to Drive No. 99 Red Man Chevrolet

Central City, KY-- Brewco Motorsports Inc. announced today that it has expanded its operation to include a third NASCAR Busch Series team which will compete in 15 races in 1999 with NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Kevin Lepage.

Brewco Motorsports, through a joint venture with J&J Racing Inc., will field the No. 99 Chevrolet Monte Carlo with primary sponsorship from Red Man chewing tobacco, a product of Swedish Match North America Inc.

"We are honored to continue our association with Swedish Match North America and Red Man in 1999," said Clarence Brewer Jr., President Brewco Motorsports Inc. "Our relationship with the Red Man brand was forged in 1997 and continues to grow beyond our expectations.

"Kevin Lepage brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Brewco Motorsports," continued Brewer. "He is a hard-nosed, winning driver who never hesitates on his way to the front. We are proud to have him on our team."

The Red Man Racing team will not work from the Brewco Motorsports headquarters in Central City, Kentucky, but will be housed in the J&J Racing shop in Denver, North Carolina. J&J Racing, a long-time presence in the NASCAR Busch Series, will manage the competitive responsibilities of the team while Brewco Motorsports will oversee the business scope.

J&J Racing began competing in the NASCAR Busch Series in 1987. The team has enjoyed much success capturing the 1988 NASCAR Busch Series championship with Tommy Ellis, Rookie-of-the Year honors twice (1992- Ricky Craven and 1996- Glenn Allen Jr.) and scored eight wins.

"After 12 seasons competing full-time in the NASCAR Busch Series, I'm looking forward to a limited schedule," said Bill Papke, President J&J Racing Inc. "As a team owner, it has become increasingly more difficult to acquire funding to field a competitive full-time team. The opportunity to work with Brewco Motorsports, Red Man and Kevin Lepage has brought our operation renewed enthusiasm."

Lepage, driver of the Roush Racing No. 16 Primestar entry in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, has a winning track record in the NASCAR Busch Series. Since 1994, the Shelburne, Vermont native has made 124 starts and scored two wins, 12 top five and 32 top 10 finishes.

The 1998 season was Lepage's most outstanding to date. Driving the No. 40 Doug Taylor Motorsports entry in 24 events, he captured one win, six top five and 10 top 10 finishes.

"I'm very excited to continue my involvement in the NASCAR Busch Series," said Lepage. "J&J Racing and Brewco Motorsports are two well respected teams within the series and the potential for bringing the No. 99 Red Man Chevrolet to victory lane in 1999 is very real."

Red Man chewing tobacco made its first entry as a NASCAR sponsor in 1997, adorning the side of the No. 37 Brewco Motorsports entry in select races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. In 1998, it increased its involvement to a full-time Truck Series sponsor with Brewco Motorsports.

"We are very pleased with the results we have achieved due to our involvement in NASCAR Racing," said John Kenny, Director of Special Events Swedish Match North America. "With Kevin Lepage driving the Red Man Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch Series, we are confident our goals will continue to be met."

In addition to fielding the No. 99 Red Man Chevrolet Monte Carlo, the Central City, Kentucky based Brewco Motorsports team also fields the No. 37 Timber Wolf Chevrolet Monte Carlo and the No. 27 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the NASCAR Busch Series with drivers Kevin Grubb and Casey Atwood respectively.