TEAM MOPAR DRIVERS GEAR UP FOR DOUBLE DUTY IN MOPAR SPRINT & MIDGET CLASSIC EVENT

Wise, the 2006 USAC National Sprint Car Series champion, will pilot the No. 20 Tony Stewart Racing Enterprises entries in the midget and sprint car portions. Wise won the midget portion of the 2005 Mopar Sprint & Midget Classic, but he was unable to capitalize on the bonus, finishing 17th in the sprint car feature.

Jones, the 2006 USAC National Sprint Car Series runner-up, and the No. 21 Tony Stewart Racing Enterprises team will also be looking to earn both feature events wins and the bonus after competing in only the sprint car portion in 2005.

Hines will drive the No. 11 entry for Wilke-PAK Motorsports in the midget event and pilot the No. 69 machine for Hoffman Auto Racing in the sprint division. Hines will be tough in both divisions, as his pavement racing experience places him at the top of the list for the victories and bonus award.

Coons Jr., to Also Compete

Team Mopar’s Jerry Coons Jr., will also compete in the Mopar Sprint & Midget Classic, driving the No. 11w for Wilke-PAK Motorsports in the midget division. Coons Jr., the 2006 USAC National Midget Car Series champion, will look to cap off his racing season by earning his 13th victory of the year.

Event Information

The second annual Mopar Sprint & Midget Classic takes place at the Orlando Speedworld Raceway on December 14-15, in conjunction with the 19th Annual Performance Racing Industry Trade Show (PRI). The event will feature the stars of the sprint and midget car series, legends cars and a return of the popular drifting exhibition.

Practice for all racing divisions is scheduled to begin on Thursday, December 14, at 1 p.m. EST. Qualifications will take place at 5:15 p.m. EST on Thursday, with heat races for the midgets and legends cars beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Gates will open to the public on Friday, December 15, at 1 p.m. EST. Practice for all divisions is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. EST. The drifting exhibition is slated to begin at 7:15 p.m. Opening ceremonies for the second annual Mopar Sprint & Midget Classic are scheduled for 7:40 p.m. EST. The event will be televised on ESPN2 at a later date.

A free shuttle service for all PRI Trade Show attendees and exhibitors will be available to and from the race event beginning at 5:30 p.m. EST on December 15. Shuttles will return to all PRI Trade Show hotels immediately following the conclusion of the Mopar Sprint & Midget Classic.

Tickets for the Mopar Sprint & Midget Classic are available for purchase to PRI Trade Show attendees and exhibitors in the front lobby area of the show. Tickets can also be purchased at the Orlando Speedworld Raceway ticket office by calling 407-568-1367.

For more information regarding the Mopar Sprint & Midget Classic and a complete schedule of events, log on to www.sprintandmidgetclassic.com.

About DaimlerChrysler’s Mopar Brand

When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts supplier led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Division. In 1937, Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was created for the business of distributing parts through a depot system and car divisional wholesalers.

Mopar made its mark in the 1960s—the muscle car era. Beginning in 1962, Mopar carried a line of “Special Parts” for super stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use.

Today, the Chrysler Group’s Global Service & Parts division is responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of nearly 250,000 authentic Mopar replacement parts, components and accessories for Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge vehicles sold around the world. To assure quality, reliability and durability, all Mopar parts and accessories are designed in strict adherence to DaimlerChrysler engineering standards.

For additional information about Mopar, log on to www.mopar.com or www.moparspeed.com.