Matco Tools, Don Schumacher Racing renew sponsorship

Matco Tools extends sponsorship with Don Schumacher Racing.

STOW, Ohio (Oct. 29, 2002) - Matco Tools announced a multi-year sponsorship  extension with Don Schumacher Racing's three-car operation which competes in the NHRA POWERADE Drag Racing Series.

The agreement calls for the continuation of a primary sponsorship on the Whit Bazemore-driven Matco Tools Funny Car and associate sponsorships on Scotty Cannon's Oakley Funny Car and Tony Schumacher's United States Army Top Fuel dragster.

"Don Schumacher Racing is a leader and innovator both on and off the track and we are delighted to continue our association," said Eric Mullenmeister, vice president of sales for Matco Tools. "Together we have built a special synergy that has produced high-profiled, championship caliber race teams which exemplifies the same quality image Matco Tools requires of its franchised distributors."

Matco Tools association with Don Schumacher Racing began in 2000 as an associate sponsor on the team's Top Fuel dragster. The following year, Matco Tools entered into a primary sponsorship on Bazemore's Funny Car and in 2002 became an associate sponsor on Cannon's Funny Car.

"Matco Tools has been an excellent, committed and supportive sponsor and we are proud and honored of having this special relationship," said Don Schumacher, the architect and owner of the three-car NHRA team. "It has truly been a partnership and we sincerely appreciate the ongoing support that Matco Tools provides to our race teams. We applaud the Matco Tools distributors for not only their involvement in hospitality programs but also for their loyal and passionate support. It is a continued goal at Don Schumacher Racing to deliver what Matco Tools and its franchised distributors deserve - winning teams with representation in the highest standard."

In addition to Don Schumacher Racing, Matco Tools NHRA team involvement includes the primary sponsor for Craig Treble's Pro Stock Bike and George Marnell's Pro Stock car. Matco Tools also is an associate sponsor for several NHRA pro teams -- a Top Fuel dragster driven by Darrell Russell, a Funny Car driven by Bruce Sarver and Pro Stock cars driven by Mark Pawuk, V. Gaines, Darrell Alderman and Gene Wilson.

The company is also a title-rights sponsor of an NHRA national event -- the Matco Tools SuperNationals, contested at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.

Matco Tools, with headquarters in Stow, Ohio, is a manufacturer and distributor of quality professional automotive equipment, tools and toolboxes. Matco Tools is a subsidiary of Danaher Corporation, a Fortune 500 company and key player in several industries, including tools, environmental and industrial process and control markets. Matco began operation in 1946. Since 1979, Matco Tools has sold products directly to professional mechanics, enthusiasts, and those who value quality tools through a network of independent franchised mobile distributors.

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