Busch Grand National Series

Hershey to Sponsor NASCAR's Premier Busch Series Event

Koolerz 300 at Daytona will kick off Busch Series schedule on Feb. 15

HERSHEY, Pa. (Sept. 29) - Four decades ago it was called the Permatex 300, and only the fans in attendance at Daytona International Speedway saw the race. Next year it will be called the Koolerz 300 and it will be the best-attended and highest-rated television event on the NASCAR Busch Series schedule.

Hershey has signed a multi-year agreement to be the title sponsor of the premier event of the Busch Series staged at Daytona International Speedway in February, said Wynn Willard, a senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Hershey Foods Corp. The 2003 Koolerz 300 will be contested at the "World Center of Racing" on Feb. 15.

"We've been given the opportunity to partner with the most exciting and intense NASCAR Busch Series event at the world's most famous superspeedways," Willard said. "A tremendous amount of interest and exposure is generated by Speedweeks in Daytona, and we wanted Hershey and Koolerz gum to be part of the spectacle with the coolest, longest lasting promotions during those two weeks in February and beyond."

"The Hershey name is synonymous with value and tradition and we're honored to be a partner with such a well-known American name and a quality product like Koolerz gum." "The Koolerz 300 will be one of the most exciting events of Speedweeks 2003 with Winston Cup favorites competing alongside some of NASCAR's future stars", said Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig.

Carefree Koolerz gum is a unique combination of cool refreshment and long-lasting flavor. Carefree Koolerz gum comes in five flavors including Citrus Splash, Berry Splash, and Mint Splash. Two new flavors of Lemonade and Watermelon will launch in December 2002. Carefree Koolerz is uniquely packaged in an individual 3.5-gram cube, sold in packages of 10.

Hershey Foods Corporation (NYSE:HSY) is the leading North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery and chocolate-related grocery products. Some of the company's most popular products include HERSHEY®'S chocolate and HERSHEY®'S chocolate with almonds bars, HERSHEY®'S KISSES® chocolates, REESE'S® peanut butter cups, JOLLY RANCHER® and TWIZZLERS® candies, HERSHEY®'S cocoa, and HERSHEY®'S syrup. The company also is a market leader in the gum and mint category with such well-known brands as ICE BREAKERS®, BREATH SAVERS®, and BUBBLE YUM®.