The collaboration gives the top-selling Winner's Circle brand of die-cast, toys and collectibles exclusive, worldwide rights to Bass' artwork and designs for use in mass market vehicle products, as well as use of exclusive limited edition paintings and promotional opportunities with Bass.

"Sam is very well known and respected in the motorsports world for his distinctive artwork and compelling car designs," said Chris Connolly, Hasbro's vice president for vehicle toys. "His works capture the emotion, excitement and personality of NASCAR stars. We're certainly excited about working with Sam, and we're especially excited about what this exclusive partnership will bring to racing fans -- a whole new, incredibly unique way to take home their favorite driver."

"I am thrilled to be a part of the Hasbro Winner's Circle program. This is an incredible opportunity for me to share my illustrations and designs with Hasbro's NASCAR collectors," said Sam Bass. "This program will allow me to work even closer with the drivers and fans of this sport, which is a dream come true for me."

The first Winner's Circle product to be manufactured and marketed under the partnership is a special collection of die-cast items to debut in fall of 2000. Each Winner's Circle Sam Bass Collection will offer a Sam Bass mini art print and a corresponding 1:43-scale Winner's Circle die-cast vehicle. The prints in the assortment will include Bass' 2000 art and car designs, as well as special paint schemes and historic designs. Each car is mounted on a base featuring elements from Bass' official corporate logo. The first assortment of the series includes:

• 1:43-Scale Dale Earnhardt/no.3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Die-Cast with "The Magnificent Seven!" Art Print
• 1:43-Scale 2000 Jeff Gordon/no.24 DuPont Chevrolet Die-Cast with the Car Design Template
• 1:43 Scale Tony Stewart/no.20 Home Depot Pontiac Die-Cast with "1999 Rookie of the Year" Art Print
• 1:43-Scale Dale Jarrett/no.88 Ford Quality Care Service Ford Die-Cast with "American Dream!" Art Print

Sam Bass is considered by many to be the most accomplished artist and designer in motorsports. Through his unique paintings and car designs, such as Jeff Gordon's famous no.24 DuPont Chevrolet, Tony Stewart's no.20 Home Depot Pontiac and many of Dale Earnhardt's cars, he has helped convey the excitement of NASCAR racing to fans around the world. Bass' art is virtually everywhere NASCAR is -- including on the track, in the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies, in the homes of fans and in the private collections of NASCAR's biggest stars. The Sam Bass Gallery is open to the public five days a week and is located near Lowe's Motor Speedway in Harrisburg, NC. Many of Bass' original paintings are on display at the gallery, along with his personal collection of racing memorabilia.

Hasbro's Winner's Circle is the no.1 brand of NASCAR die-cast according to TRSTS toy industry sales data from the NPD Group. Through a licensing alliance with Action Performance Companies, Inc., Hasbro has agreements with some of NASCAR's top drivers such as 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Dale Jarrett, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, Bobby Labonte, Ken Schrader, Ricky Rudd, Mike Skinner and more. Hasbro's Winner's Circle also offers fans and kids die-cast replicas of up-and-coming drivers, including Casey Atwood, Steve Park and Tony Stewart, as well as Dale Earnhardt, Jr., the 1998 and 1999 NASCAR Busch Series Champion.

Hasbro is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, KENNER, TONKA, ODDZON, SUPER SOAKER, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, HASBRO INTERACTIVE, MICROPROSE, GALOOB and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world.

[Posted 5/08/2000]