Roush announces new sponsors for Biffle and #16.

The US Army National Guard has announced it will be the primary advertiser on the Roush Racing #16 National Guard/Subway Ford Taurus Team and for rising star Greg Biffle in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, with Subway Restaurants as co-primary sponsor.

Travelodge hotels and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, both Cendant Corporation brands, will be associate sponsors.

"We're thrilled about the opportunity to be teaming up with the Army National Guard and its servicemen and women," said Jack Roush, car owner. "National security is of the utmost importance and our organisation is proud to be associated with the National Guard and we hope this sponsorship will not only increase the awareness of the Guard, but also assist with recruiting and retention efforts as well.

"We're also pleased to have Subway, Jackson Hewitt and Travelodge Hotels on board. Each of the organisations has marketing plans set for 2004 that will take Greg Biffle, Roush Racing and the National Guard to new heights and we're all excited about the prospect of that. I look forward to an exciting year and hope to build relationships that will experience a great deal of success for many years to come."

The coalition of sponsors will put forth a focused and ambitious marketing effort behind the sponsorship with local and nationwide advertising, promotions and merchandise programmes. The National Guard will advertise in the primary sponsorship position on the #16 Ford Taurus throughout the 2004 season, except during select races where Subway, Travelodge and Jackson Hewitt will be featured in the primary locations. In addition, the National Guard will also unveil two special paint schemes during the season.

The Army National Guard (ARNG), a component of The Army, will focus efforts to increase awareness of the Army National Guard and the recruitment of National Guard members. The National Guard will be featured in Subway, Jackson Hewitt and Travelodge Hotel advertising and promotions.

"The National Guard prides itself on its ability to team up with those that share our value set and are determined to be the best," said Lieutenant Colonel Michael Jones. "Roush Racing, Greg Biffle and NASCAR as individual elements and as a collective entity have demonstrated a level of teamwork, loyalty and power that reinforces the high standards that the National Guard upholds. The grassroots reach, the power under the hood and the level of commitment demonstrated by each, flows freely when speaking of NASCAR, Roush Racing or the National Guard. It is a perfect fit."

Subway Restaurants continues its support of NASCAR by its co-primary sponsorship of Greg Biffle and the #16 Roush Racing Ford Taurus. Subway local and nationwide marketing efforts and promotions will support the sponsorship with direct consumer programmes and television ads. The Subway chain will also hold primary sponsorship positioning on the car for select races during the 2004 season.

"Subway is proud to be a sponsor of Greg Biffle and the #16 team and we're excited to extend our relationship with NASCAR beyond the Subway 400 and Subway 500 events. At Subway, we believe in a balanced and healthy lifestyle and by working with these professional sports organisations, we hope we can continue to spread that message," said Chris Carroll, director of marketing for the Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust. "We're in great company with the other dedicated sponsors and we're looking forward to an amazing partnership."

Travelodge Hotels and Jackson Hewitt Tax Services will further support the sponsorship with customized marketing initiatives that will feature special promotions for the NASCAR fan. National programmes will be put in place and the NASCAR fan will be able to easily support the series by participating in promotions at each brand's locations.

"The Travelodge brand is very proud of its association with NASCAR and Greg Biffle," said Travelodge president Nancy Poor. "We look forward to introducing the great value our brand has to offer to NASCAR's wide audience of loyal fans."

"Jackson Hewitt is honoured to sponsor and promote Roush Racing," said Michael Lister, president and CEO, Jackson Hewitt, Inc. "We look forward to increasing awareness and patronage of NASCAR through planned events and functions to our loyal and growing base of customers, as well as providing tax-time savings and assistance to the nationwide National Guard audience."