NASCAR “IRON MAN” RICKY RUDD TO CELEBRATE 900th CAREER START IN CALIFORNIA IN THE #88 SNICKERS® GENERATION MAX® FORD FUSION
Rudd Currently Holds Most Career Starts Record 
Behind NASCAR legend Richard Petty

BRISTOL, TN (August 24, 2007) --- From his start in go-karts at the age of nine to his current status as driver of the #88 SNICKERS Generation Max® Ford Fusion, NASCAR driver Ricky Rudd has a resume to rival many of stock car’s legendary figures. When the NEXTEL Cup Series returns to California Speedway on Labor Day weekend, Rudd will add another item to his lengthy list of accomplishments as he is scheduled to take the green flag for his 900th career NEXTEL Cup Series start.

“This is a record that just kind of sneaks up on you,” Rudd said regarding his milestone career start. “I started out as one of the youngest guys in this sport and now I’m one of the oldest guys out there still racing. It’s a real honor to be able to have this kind of longevity with a long and fruitful career. I’ve been so lucky to have remained healthy and competitive to have made it to 900 starts, come Labor Day weekend in my SNICKERS Generation Max Ford Fusion.”

“On behalf of Mars Snackfood US, we would like to congratulate Ricky on an outstanding career. Ricky provided veteran leadership for the SNICKERS Team and has been an excellent ambassador for our brands, allowing Mars US to reinforce our commitment to NASCAR and its fans,” said William Clements, vice president, sponsorships and sports marketing, Mars Snackfood US.

Rudd, a 31-year veteran of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, returned to full-time competition for the 2007 season as the driver of the #88 SNICKERS Ford Fusion for Robert Yates Racing. His successful stock car racing career began after the Virginia native took home “Rookie of the Year” honors following the 1977 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season. Rudd went on to win races in 16 consecutive seasons, which is a record he shares only with Rusty Wallace.

Perhaps Rudd is best known as NASCAR’s “Iron Man” as he currently holds the record for the most consecutive starts at 788. This accomplishment as well as others resulted in Rudd being chosen as one of NASCAR’s Top 50 Drivers of all-time. Rudd was also named the 2006 Virginian of the Year and in 2007 he was inducted into the Virginia Motorsports Hall of Fame.

“I have been lucky to have had wonderful sponsors, teams, and fans supporting me throughout these years,” Rudd continued. “I look back at my career and I still am amazed at the opportunities that I have been able to enjoy. My 900th career start is honestly a record that I hadn’t kept track of, but it is a great honor to solidify myself in the record books as the driver with the second-most all-time career starts.”

Over the next nine days, Mars US will help celebrate Rudd’s accomplishment by highlighting several of Rudd’s most memorable starts since his entrance into the NASCAR community in 1975. Media members can logon to www.NASCARMedia.com daily to receive stats, quotes and other information as the countdown begins to the historic September 2nd start.