Ore-Ida Teams with Hendrick Motorsports in Busch Series Sponsorship; B

Ore-Ida Teams with Hendrick Motorsports in Busch Series Sponsorship; Brian Vickers to Race Limited Schedule in Ore-Ida Chevrolet

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    Business Editors/Sports Editors
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    CONCORD, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 8, 2005--Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick today announced that 21-year-old Brian Vickers will return to the NASCAR Busch Series for four races in 2005 with support from primary sponsor Ore-Ida(R) and its Extra Crispy(TM) French-fry brand. As part of the agreement, Vickers will drive his four Busch Series races in Ore-Ida-wrapped No. 57 Chevrolets.
    "We're fortunate to have Ore-Ida's increased involvement at Hendrick Motorsports," said Hendrick. "The four Busch Series races this season will provide Brian with some valuable time on the race track that will translate into success during Sunday's races."
    In addition to its support of Vickers' Busch Series appearances, Ore-Ida(R) will become a major associate partner of the No. 25 NEXTEL Cup Series team with Vickers as driver.
    "We're excited about continuing our relationship with Hendrick Motorsports and teaming up with such a talented young driver as Brian Vickers," said Dave Singer, category development manager for Ore-Ida. "Our relationship with Hendrick has been a springboard for engaging NASCAR fans and our retail partners with our popular new Extra Crispy line of products."
    Vickers, the 2003 Busch Series champion is scheduled to make his first Busch Series start of 2005 at Lowe's Motor Speedway May 28, followed by events at Daytona International Speedway in July, Michigan International Speedway in August and the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November.
    "I'm looking forward to working with Ore-Ida this season and hopefully for many more to come," Vickers said. "They've put together a program that will allow us to generate some excitement and put us in a position to post a few wins this season."
    During his first full season in the Busch Series while driving for Hendrick Motorsports, Vickers posted three wins, one pole position, 13 top-fives and 21 top-10 finishes en route to capturing the 2003 circuit championship. At age 20, the Thomasville, N.C., native became the youngest Busch Series champion in any of NASCAR's top-three touring divisions.

    About Ore-Ida

    Ore-Ida is the most trusted and popular name in the frozen potato and onion business. As the nation's leading marketer of frozen potatoes, Ore-Ida produces a variety of products including Golden Fries(R), Golden Crinkles(R), Extra Crispy(R), Easy Fries(R), Zesties!(R), Crispers!(R), Steak Fries, Tater Tots(R), Hash Browns, Twice Baked, Mashed and Onion Rings.

    About Heinz

    H.J. Heinz Company is one of the world's leading processors and marketers of high-quality ketchup, condiments, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant foods through all retail and foodservice channels. A host of favorite brands, such as Heinz(R) Ketchup, Ore-Ida(R) French Fries, Boston Market(R) and Smart Ones(R) meals and Plasmon(R) baby food are the growth drivers in Heinz's two strategic global segments: Ketchup, Condiment and Sauces and Meals & Snacks. Heinz's 50 companies have number-one or number-two brands in 200 countries, showcased by the Heinz(R) brand, a global consumer icon with $2.5 billion in annual sales. Fourteen additional brands, each with more than $100 million in annual sales, generate a further $2.6 billion. Information on Heinz is available at www.heinz.com/news.

    About Hendrick Motorsports

    Hendrick Motorsports fields teams in two different NASCAR divisions with drivers Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Brian Vickers, Terry Labonte, Jimmie Johnson, Blake Feese and Boston Reid. The organization has won nine NASCAR championships in the last decade, including five at the NEXTEL Cup Series level.

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CONTACT: Hendrick Motorsports Chris Haid, 704-455-0654 chaid@hmsracing.com Please visit us online at http://media.teamhendrick.com User Name: hmsmedia Password: gohendrick or Heinz U.S. Consumer Products Robin Teets, 412-237-3562 robin.teets@us.hjheinz.com

KEYWORD: PENNSYLVANIA NORTH CAROLINA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD SPORTS FOODS/BEVERAGES RETAIL MARKETING AGREEMENTS PHOTO PHOTOWIRE SOURCE: H.J. Heinz Company PHOTO: 39113

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