BUSCH: SKI Motorsports announces 2005 drivers

Nextel Cup's Riggs, Two-Time Truck Champ Hornaday Named To Drive #30 Smith & Wesson Busch Chevrolet in '05

Daytona Beach, Fla. (Friday, Feb. 18, 2004) -- NASCAR Nextel Cup Series regular Scott Riggs and two-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday will share driving duties behind the wheel of the #30 Smith & Wesson Chevrolet to be campaigned by SKI Motorsports at eight NASCAR Busch Series events in 2005, it was announced today at Daytona International Speedway.

Riggs and Hornaday will wear the colors of Smith & Wesson (AMEX: SWB), the legendary 153-year old firearms manufacturer, at seven of the eight Busch events beginning with the March 12 Sam's Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

"We are extremely pleased to have Scott and Ron join the Smith & Wesson family and play such a vital role in launching our full-scale entry into the exciting world of NASCAR racing," said Tom Taylor, Vice President of Marketing for the Springfield, Mass.-based company. "They are true competitors on the racetrack, and away from the track they are active outdoorsmen, both traits that are in line with what the Smith & Wesson heritage is all about. Las Vegas can't come fast enough!"

The 34-year-old Riggs, regular driver of the #10 Valvoline Chevrolet in the Nextel Cup Series, gets the honor of debuting the red, white and blue Smith & Wesson racing machine in the Busch race at Las Vegas. He's also slated to handle the driving duties at Charlotte (May 28), Bristol (Aug. 26) and Texas (Nov. 5). Riggs drove full Busch series seasons in 2002 and 2003 before moving up to Nextel Cup fulltime in 2004. He finished in the top 10 in Busch points both seasons and scored four victories during that time.

Hornaday, 46, is a two-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion and has four Busch series wins to his credit. He joins the Smith & Wesson team for Busch races this season at Atlanta (March 19), California (Sept. 3) and Phoenix (Nov. 12).

"From dust to racing in only 16 weeks is always a challenge; however, with everyone working together, we are very happy with the 2005 Smith & Wesson program and feel confident going into Las Vegas," said Chris Lencheski, president of Charlotte- and Bethlehem, Pa.-based SKI Motorsports, who will name a driver for this summer's Busch race here at Daytona (July 1) at a later date.

"We'll work toward our goals one step at a time, which is the way to approach any new program in such a competitive arena," Lencheski added.

The #30 Smith & Wesson Chevrolet will feature several paint schemes during the course of its inaugural season. The red, white and blue design that will debut at Las Vegas will be complemented at later races by dramatic schemes representing tributes to America's public servants.

Smith & Wesson plans to aggressively support its NASCAR involvement by way of high-profile marketing programs featuring fan and customer promotions, as well as at-the-track activities including safety educational initiatives.

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