| HERSHEY, Pa., Feb 12, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Hershey is
driving its involvement in NASCAR to a new level in 2003. Hershey will enter the
2003 NASCAR Busch Series as the primary sponsor of the No. 21 PayDay Chevrolet
Monte Carlo and Kevin Harvick, the 2001 NASCAR Busch Series Champion. Harvick
will drive the No. 21 PayDay car in 15 of the 34 scheduled events, and current
Richard Childress Racing Busch Series driver Johnny Sauter will compete in the
remainder of the events.
In addition, Hershey Foods kicks off the start of the racing season as title
sponsor of the Koolerz 300 at the Daytona International Speedway on February 15.
The Koolerz 300 is expected to be the best-attended and highest- rated
television event on the NASCAR Busch Series schedule. "Koolerz is excited and
proud to have an association with the time-honored tradition of Daytona. We feel
it's a great opportunity to sponsor the hottest race on the Busch Series with
the coolest gum," said Bob Gavazzi, Marketing Manager, Koolerz brand.
Also in 2003, the Reese's brand is back on track in the Winston Cup Series.
Reese's is returning to the country's most popular motorsports series with the
sponsorship of Harvick, the GM Goodwrench team and Richard Childress Racing.
Reese's will enter into its first year as an associate sponsor of the No. 29 GM
Goodwrench Service Chevrolet, previously sponsored by the Hershey's brand.
Hershey Foods entered the world of auto racing ten years ago as a Reese's
associate sponsor of Roush Racing and Mark Martin, and has visited victory lane
seven times in the past decade.
Many of Hershey's consumers are NASCAR fans, making Hershey's participation in
the sport a natural fit.
Hershey Foods has developed web sites, which contain exclusive car and driver
information as well as exciting promotional details. The URL addresses are:
www.KoolerzRacing.com, www.PayDayRacing.com, www.ReesesRacing.com
About Hershey Foods
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(R)'S chocolate and HERSHEY(R)'S chocolate with almonds bars,
HERSHEY(R)'S KISSES(R) chocolates, REESE'S(R) peanut butter cups, JOLLY
RANCHER(R) and TWIZZLERS(R) candies, HERSHEY(R)'S cocoa, and HERSHEY(R)'S syrup.
The company also is a market leader in the gum and mint category with such
well-known brands as ICE BREAKERS(R), BREATH SAVERS(R), and BUBBLE YUM(R).
SOURCE Hershey Foods Corporation
CONTACT: Howard Williams of Keystone Marketing Co., +1-336-778-2308
ext. 239; or Sue Karli of Hershey Foods Corp., +1-717-534-7631
URL:
http://www.KoolerzRacing.com
http://www.PayDayRacing.com
http://www.ReesesRacing.com
http://www.hersheys.com
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