Petty No. 43 now with new colors

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - (June 26, 2000) - A new era in NASCAR sponsorship will begin the weekend of the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway as Cheerios and Betty Crocker become the first new primary sponsors of the famed Petty Enterprises No. 43 Pontiac in 29 years. Driver John Andretti will take to the track for the first time on June 29 in the new No. 43 under the watchful eye of legendary car owner Richard Petty, who exercised his creative talents to help design the No. 43 Cheerios / Betty Crocker machine, which still maintains the 'Petty Blue' paint scheme. The No. 43 Cheerios / Betty Crocker Pontiac will race for the first time in the Pepsi 400 July 2.

"This is an exciting time for all of us at Petty Enterprises and General Mills," said Petty, who drove the No. 43 to 200 wins during his career. "In securing a new primary sponsor for the No. 43 car, it was important to work with a company that shared the same family and business ideals as Petty Enterprises and I am looking forward to working with Cheerios, Betty Crocker and General Mills for a long time to come.

General Mills, now in its third year as a primary sponsor in NASCAR Winston Cup, is replacing STP, which had a very successful 29-year relationship with Richard Petty and Petty Enterprises. The multi-year sponsorship agreement was announced at a press conference last fall in Darlington, South Carolina. Through the agreement, General Mills' Cheerios, Hamburger Helper and Pop Secret brands were associate sponsors on the STP car for the first half of the 2000 Winston Cup season.

"General Mills understands the rich history behind the Petty Enterprises No. 43 and we are truly honored to be taking on the role of primary sponsor of this legendary car," said Laurie Greeno, Vice President of Motorsports at General Mills. "The two organizations are a terrific match and we are looking forward to a long and rewarding partnership."

John Andretti, who claimed his first NASCAR Winston Cup victory at the 1997 Pepsi 400, feels that General Mills is a nice fit with Petty Enterprises. "I am really excited to have the opportunity to drive the new No. 43 Cheerios / Betty Crocker car," Andretti said. "Richard made the No. 43 STP car legendary and I would like to do the same for the No. 43 Cheerios / Betty Crocker car. It will be great to work with a company who shares so many of the same values that we strive to achieve at Petty Enterprises."