GMAC, Hendrick Motorsports re-sign

DETROIT, Mich. -- GMAC, a longtime member of the Hendrick family of racing sponsors, announced today a comprehensive sponsorship agreement with Hendrick Motorsports for 2001 that includes involvement in NASCAR's Winston Cup, Busch Grand National and Craftsman Truck Series.

GMAC, which will expand its presence on Hendrick entries in NASCAR's three major touring series, will be the primary sponsor on the #17 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Ricky Hendrick in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as well as a major associate sponsor on the #24 Chevrolet of Jack Sprague. In 2001, netzero.com will assume primary sponsorship of the #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet truck now driven by Sprague.

Additionally, GMAC will also serve as the primary sponsor for Ricky Hendrick in a select number of NASCAR Busch Grand National and ARCA events during the 2001 season. Dennis Connor, the all-time winningest crew chief in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series history, will oversee the new GMAC racing operation, which will operate out of its own separate facility.

Since 1995, Connor has amassed 19 wins and two championships in NASCAR's competitive truck series. The 49-year-old veteran was also a key member of former HMS driver Tim Richmond's team when he won seven races and eight poles in 1986.

And as it has since 1993, GMAC will continue to be an associate sponsor on all three HMS Winston Cup cars: the #24 DuPont Chevrolet driven by three-time champion Jeff Gordon, #5 Chevrolet of two-time champion Terry Labonte and the #25 UAW-Delphi Chevrolet of up-and-coming talent Jerry Nadeau. Since the inception of its sponsorship in '93, GMAC has enjoyed an eye-popping 64 wins and 46 pole positions in NASCAR's most challenging series. GMAC has enjoyed unprecedented success as an associate sponsor through its alliance with Hendrick Motorsports. Gordon and Labonte established a NASCAR Winston Cup record by winning four consecutive series titles between 1995-1998. Sprague also helped GMAC to another NASCAR championship last year when he captured the 1999 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title.

Now, according to Hendrick Motorsports CEO and founder Rick Hendrick, the relationship between GMAC and HMS is getting even stronger.

"GMAC has been such a big part of the Hendrick Motorsports family over the years," Hendrick said. "We've enjoyed a tremendous amount of success together, but this new agreement means the best is yet to come. GMAC's played a pivotal part in helping us develop the winning tradition we have here at Hendrick Motorsports. And we're thrilled that our relationship with GMAC has continued to grow and get stronger throughout the years."