Busch Grand National Series

Busch Renews Title Sponsorship of NASCAR Busch Series

Series Point Fund To Increase To $4.5 Million Over Five-Year Extension; Budweiser Maintains "Official Beer of NASCAR" Status, Renews Shootout Event

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (Nov. 16, 2002) - Anheuser-Busch announced today it has extended its sponsorship of the NASCAR Busch Series through the 2007 season.

Budweiser has retained the rights as the "Official Beer of NASCAR" and sponsor of the Bud Pole Award in all NASCAR divisions through 2007. Additionally, Budweiser has renewed the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, the annual non-points race at Daytona International Speedway held the week before the Daytona 500, for the next six years.

The Budweiser Shootout, traditionally held on a Sunday afternoon during Speedweeks, will now will be televised during prime time on Saturday night on FOX. The 25th anniversary of the event will be held Saturday, Feb. 8, 8 p.m.

"Anheuser-Busch is excited about our sponsorship renewal of NASCAR, and we look forward to continued success in the future," said Tony Ponturo, vice president of global media and sports marketing, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. "We market our brands through high-profile sponsorship opportunities to position ourselves as a leader in the industry, and our relationships in stock car racing, including Budweiser driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., are well received by our wholesalers and core adult consumers across the country."

The Anheuser-Busch portion of the NASCAR Busch Series annual point fund distribution, which was $2.5 million in 2002, will increase $400,000 per year over the length of the new contract, extending to $4.5 million at the end of the 2007 season.

"The popularity of NASCAR has grown tremendously over the past two decades thanks in large part to great corporate partners like Anheuser-Busch," NASCAR President Mike Helton. "We're proud to extend our relationship with the Budweiser and Busch brands well into the coming years."

"The NASCAR Busch Series has been a beneficial partnership for both NASCAR and the Busch beer brand," said Danny Scott, director, popular brands, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. "NASCAR has the ability to attract fans and viewers representing all demographics of adult consumers, and the high visibility of the series provides great value for the Busch brand."

Busch has been the title sponsor of the NASCAR Busch Series since the circuit's inception in 1982. The circuit featured 34 races at 27 tracks in 23 states in 2002. Busch and Budweiser are brewed by Anheuser-Busch, Inc., the world's largest brewer.