DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (October 17, 1999) - Officials for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing and Exide Corporation are proud to announce a major sponsorship program with the second tier of the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series (NWRS) as title sponsor of the ShorTrack Series by NASCAR. "We are thrilled to announce Exide's increased participation in the NWRS family of sponsors," stated Tom Deery, NASCAR Vice President for the Weekly Racing Series. "Exide Corporation has recognized the value of the NWRS and ShorTrack Series by NASCAR program. Exide will provide short track competitors across the nation with an opportunity that they have never had before, racing for regional and national recognition, as well as a substantial point fund with their support of the Exide ShorTrack Series." Exide will contribute $1,000 per NWRS track with $500 going to the Exide ShorTrack Series track champion, $250 for second, $150 for third and $100 for fourth. They will also contribute $2,500 to each regional champion in the Exide ShorTrack Series and $5,000 to the Exide ShorTrack Series national champion. Exide will continue to post $55,000 into the regional and national point fund for the NWRS. Exide Corporation will also present the Exide Battery SELECTion during the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Champion's party held at NASCAR Café on Thursday, November 4th. The regional champions in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series will have an opportunity to select a marked battery in the Exide SELECTion process and win a $5,000 bonus, in addition to the posted awards that they will receive at the banquet. The regional and national champion in the Exide ShorTrack Series will also participate in the Exide Battery SELECTion for a $1,000 bonus. Exide will participate in a 50-event sponsorship night program highlighting 50 NWRS events at a variety of facilities throughout the nation. In addition, this season's ShorTrack Series by NASCAR regional champions will receive $500 from Exide with the national champion receiving $5,000. "Exide has always known the value of being associated with all aspects of NASCAR," stated Gordon Lane, vice president marketing, Exide Corporation. "We have fully recognized the value and the power that the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series and Exide ShorTrack Series deliver. Each week thousands of competitors and fans travel to short tracks across the nation to take part in NASCAR's "Grass-Roots" level program and we are proud to become a major partner in that program."

Founded in 1888, Exide Corporation is the world's largest manufacturer of automotive batteries that are used in new automobile, automotive aftermarket, marine, industrial and commercial vehicle applications.

The NWRS is a nationwide network of nearly 100 short tracks, both dirt and asphalt. Each season, short track competitors have the opportunity for regional and national recognition, as well as nearly $1.5 million dollars in posted awards; the highest for any short track racing series. This season's awards will be presented at the season ending banquet at the Contemporary Resort, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Fla., on Friday, November 5.

Exide has increased their participation along with the following for the NWRS and Exide ShorTrack Series including, Anheuser-Busch, CV Products, Hoosier, NAPA Echlin, Hoosier Racing Tires, Edelbrock Holley Carburetors, 76, Champion Spark Plugs, Cintas Uniforms, Earl's Products, Featherlite Trailers, Gatorade, J.E. Pistons, Mechanix Wear, Moroso, Prestone Antifreeze, NAPA Filters, Raybestos Brakes, and STP to create the largest point fund in NWRS history.