ChevronTexaco Teams Up with Racing Partners to Drive Autism Awareness

 - National Campaign Tied to #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge Racing Team's

Performance during the 2005 Season Will Benefit the Autism Society of
America -

 

SAN RAMON, Calif., February 25, 2005 -- ChevronTexaco Products Company
(CTPC), a division of Chevron USA Inc., announced today it has renewed
and broadened its commitment to raising public awareness and funding for
autism education and advocacy through its racing sponsorship program. In
cooperation with Jamie McMurray, driver of the #42 Texaco
Havoline/Dodge, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and associate
sponsor Home123, the company will continue to expand its national
campaign to benefit the Autism Society of America (ASA) from the
California Speedway in Fontana, Calif., on Friday morning.   

 

"With the continued success of Jamie McMurray behind the wheel of the
#42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge, the campaign's efforts will not only raise
money, but will also generate greater public awareness of autism," said
Craig Duncan, Vice President, ChevronTexaco Products Company, North
America. "We encourage participation by the #42 fans to purchase
'Driving Autism Awareness' merchandise, learn more about autism and
support so many people like Jamie and his family who are living with
autism." 

 

This year's campaign, "Driving Autism Awareness," will raise funds for
autism education and advocacy in part through matching donations of $42
from each of the four campaign partners for every lap that McMurray
leads during the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Later this week, during
a Fontana news conference, a new "Driving Autism Awareness" 2005 paint
scheme for McMurray's #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge Charger will be
unveiled. Collectible die-cast replicas of the newly-designed car are
now available for purchase on campaign partner Web sites, with a portion
of the proceeds from all online sales being donated to the Autism
Society of America. 

 

"ASA is thrilled that the four 'Driving Autism Awareness' campaign
partners will help shine the spotlight on autism, one of the most
misunderstood and complex developmental conditions that affects more
than 1.5 million American children and adults today," said Lee Grossman,
president and CEO of the Autism Society of America. "The growing
popularity of NASCAR makes it an ideal vehicle to help us spread our
message to a wider national audience."  

 

McMurray, the 2003 NASCAR Raybestos Rookie of the Year, will race the
full-size version of the #42 Texaco/Havoline "Driving Autism Awareness"
2005 Dodge Charger at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., on April
3, 2005. The new "Driving Autism Awareness" logo will be visible on the
C-post of the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge during every race this season.
Last season, McMurray, ChevronTexaco and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix
Sabates raised more than $28,000 to benefit the ASA during the 2004
"Drive for a Cure." 

 

"I'm personally very passionate about expanding the campaign partnership
this year with the Autism Society of America," McMurray said.
"ChevronTexaco created this program last year to support my interest in
autism. This charity hits very close to home for me because my niece is
autistic, and because I know so many other individuals and families who
are affected by it. The team and I are more motivated than ever this
racing season to lead as many laps as possible to contribute to this
worthy cause." 

 

Autism is a brain condition that affects a person's ability to
communicate, to reason, and to interact with others. An estimated 1 in
250 individuals are diagnosed with the condition daily-more than 1.5
million individuals are living with autism today.  Autism impacts
individuals differently to varying degrees of severity, is four times
more common in boys than girls and found equally in all walks of life
and populations around the world.  

 

"The Autism Society of America is so grateful to Jamie, ChevronTexaco,
Chip Ganassi Racing, Felix Sabates and Home123 for their thoughtful and
generous initiative," said Artie Kempner, ASA board member. "Efforts
like these help the ASA and its chapters to expand education programs
for the early diagnosis of autism, and to offer support to families
sharing their lives with autism." 

 

The 2005 season marks the 18th consecutive year that Texaco/Havoline has
supported a racing team in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Racing legends
like Don "the Snake" Prudhomme, Mario and Michael Andretti, Davey
Allison, Ernie Irvan, Dale Jarrett, Christian Fittipaldi, Kenny Irwin
and Ricky Rudd have driven race cars running with Havoline oil and
sponsorship. 

 

Thirty-two years ago, Texaco/Havoline broke into auto racing with its
sponsorship of two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi on the Formula
One circuit. Through its long-term sponsorship of motorsports,
Texaco/Havoline Racing tests its products in the most demanding of
laboratories -- high-speed automobiles performing on the race track. 

 

Founded in Beaumont, Texas, Texaco has been an iconic brand and local
success story in U.S. South and East since 1911, with its first service
station in Houston.

 

For more information, or to make a contribution for autism education and
advocacy, please visit the following "Driving Autism Awareness" campaign
partner Web sites: 

*	Autism Society of America: http://www.autism-society.org
<http://www.autism-society.org/> 

 

*	Jamie McMurray: www.jamiemcmurray.com
<http://www.jamiemcmurray.com/> 

 

*	Havoline/Racing: http://www.texacohavoline42.com/racing

 

 

About ChevronTexaco Products Company 
ChevronTexaco Products Company is a division of a wholly owned
subsidiary of the ChevronTexaco Corporation .   

 

A full line of lubrication and coolant products are marketed thorough
this organization under the Chevron, Texaco and Caltex brand names.
Select brands include Havoline(r), Delo(r), Ursa(r), Revtex(r) and
Texaco Xpress Lube(r).  ChevronTexaco Products Company owns patented
technology in advanced lubricants products and new generation base oil
technology, as well as coolants. In addition, ChevronTexaco Products
Company offers premium gasoline products and a superior retail
experience under two highly trusted brands, Chevron and Texaco.

 

Headquartered in San Ramon, CA, ChevronTexaco Products Company, together
with its ChevronTexaco affiliates worldwide, is ranked among the top
three global marketers of lubricants, and is active in more than 180
countries through 4,000 employees.

 

About ChevronTexaco Corporation

Currently celebrating its 125th anniversary, ChevronTexaco is one of the
world's leading energy companies. With more than 50,000 employees,
ChevronTexaco conducts business in approximately 180 countries around
the world, producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas, and
marketing and distributing fuels and other energy products.
ChevronTexaco is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information on
ChevronTexaco is available at www.chevrontexaco.com
<http://www.chevrontexaco.com/> .

 

About Autism Society of America

Since its inception in 1965, the Autism Society of America has served as
the leading source of information and referral on autism and addressed
the needs of the autism community across the lifespan. With more than
50,000 members and supporters and a network of over 200 chapters
nationwide, ASA's mission is to promote lifelong access and opportunity
for all individuals within the autism spectrum, and their families, to
be fully participating, included members of their community.  This
mission includes education, advocacy at state and federal levels, active
public awareness and the promotion of research.  And with efforts
through the national office, headquartered in Bethesda, MD, more funding
for autism research has been secured than by those at any other
organization.

 

For more information about autism or ASA, visit the ASA Web site,
www.autism-society.org <http://www.autism-society.org/> , or call
Toll-Free, 1.800.3AUTISM (1.800.328.8476).

 



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