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Mattel and Roush Racing Enter Long-Term Agreement
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 Continually striving to bring fans closer to NASCAR with innovative products and die-cast replicas of their favorite drivers' race cars, Mattel, Inc.'s Hot Wheels Racing brand today announced a long-term exclusive licensing agreement with Roush Racing to become their sole die-cast manufacturer of mass retail products.``Hot Wheels is dedicated long-term to the sport of NASCAR. And to be working with such a well-respected organization in the sport as Roush Racing, its fantastic drivers, teams and sponsors, is exciting. We look forward to having our partnership continue to flourish, as well as being able to offer fans a great product line with a wide selection of drivers to collect,'' said Matt Bousquette, President, Boy's Division at Mattel, Inc. Roush Racing's drivers -- Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth, Kevin Lapage and Kurt Busch -- are some of the top drivers in the sport, amassing 20 victories so far this season. They will continue to strengthen Hot Wheels Racing's elite portfolio of 25 NASCAR drivers currently under license, of whom 11 are under exclusive license. ``Roush Racing is thrilled to be working with Hot Wheels -- the premier vehicle brand that has inspired so many of us over the years,'' said Geoff Smith, President, Roush Racing. ``Each company brings to the table a dynamic roster of licenses, and specific strengths which will result in product and distribution that will be far superior to other die-cast products on the market today.'' In just three short years, the continued involvement of Hot Wheels in NASCAR, on and off the track, has significantly contributed to its success as the #1 manufacturer of large-scale die-cast NASCAR replicas at retail. Hot Wheels is the only die-cast manufacturer that is experiencing growth in the category, having captured an additional seven percent market share already this year, according to the most recent TRST report (June 2000). On the track last season, Roush Racing accounted for 64 percent of Ford Motor Company's NASCAR Winston Cup Series victories. Roush Racing also accounted for 47 percent of Ford Motor Company's NASCAR Winston Cup top-10 finishes; and 42 percent of Ford Motor Company's NASCAR Winston Cup top-5 finishes. Hot Wheels cars thundered into the toy world in 1968. More than 30 years later, Hot Wheels is a global brand and Mattel, Inc. is a leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of vehicles, playsets and tracks. In addition to leading the way with power, performance and attitude, Hot Wheels cars are also Cool Collectibles™ for adults. For the latest information on Hot Wheels, make a break on the information superhighway and cruise over to www.hotwheels.com. HOT WHEELS trademark owned by Mattel, Inc. NASCAR� is a registered trademark of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. [Posted 9/11/2000]
  
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