Grand Prix named "Official Pace Car" for 2002

DETROIT, Mich. -- For the 31st time in the history of NASCAR, Pontiac has been named "Official Pace Car of NASCAR" and will once again assume its position at the head of the field.

The 2002 season, which Pontiac will use to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Grand Prix, will be the 14th year in which a Grand Prix GTP will serve as NASCAR's "Official Pace Car."

Pontiac Grand Prix's advantage, on the track and on the road, is that it is a great handling car. As the slogan goes - "Wider Is Better" - as proven by Pontiac's recent performance in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. During the past three seasons, Grand Prix drivers have scored 25 wins - the most wins ever by Pontiac in the modern era over a three-year span.

Pontiac Grand Prix brand manager Bob Kraut is looking forward to another outstanding year for his brand as it continues its affiliation with America's most popular series.

"The Pontiac Grand Prix has earned its reputation as one of the fastest and best handling mid-size cars on the market today," said Bob Kraut, "and our association with NASCAR has played an important role in raising that reputation to new heights. The Grand Prix's appeal and its range of excitement-inducing attributes are as wide as its stance."

The 2002 Grand Prix GTP pace car features a 3.8-liter 3800 Supercharged Series II fuel-injected V6 engine and a four-speed, electronically-controlled automatic transmission. The car is equipped with 18-inch aluminum wheels, Goodyear tires and features a dark cherry paint scheme to highlight Grand Prix's "ruby" anniversary year.

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