RICKY RUDD 900th CAREER START CELEBRATION – Day 5
* Rudd Wins Brickyard 400 at Historic Indianapolis
* On Deck: Ricky Rudd 900th Career Start Celebration – Day 6

CHARLOTTE, NC (Aug. 29, 2007) – When you ask Ricky Rudd which one of his 23 career wins stands out in his mind as the one he’s most proud of, his answer is always the same; the 1997 Brickyard 400. Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the second-oldest automobile race track in the world and has been in existence since 1909. The speedway is nicknamed “The Brickyard” after the 3.2 million paving bricks that were used to create the track’s racing surface. Since then, the track surface has changed to asphalt and the only remaining section of bricks is a three-foot wide section at the start/finish line. NASCAR made its debut at Indianapolis in 1994 with the yearly race known as the Allstate 400 at The Brickyard.

As a child, Rudd grew up watching the Indianapolis 500 on television and recalls the fact that in his native state of Virginia, stock car racing was more popular than Indy car racing.

“I just remember watching a lot more of the Indy car series on tv when I was a kid,” recalled Rudd. “I think that even as a young child I had it in my mind even then just how important any race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was to a driver. Indy is such a historical facility and I think that’s why it carries so much glory when you have the chance to win there.”

Little did Rudd know that on August 3, 1997 his name would be etched into the hallowed record books at The Brickyard. Rudd and his #10 Tide Ford began the race from seventh place. A late-race gamble in pit strategy found Rudd staying out on the track while the other top cars in the field made one last splash-and-go pit stops taking on just enough fuel to get them to the end of the race. Rudd completed all 160 laps at the 2.5-mile paved track and led for a total of 15 laps. Rudd also held off Bobby Labonte for the win with a margin of victory over Labonte of .183 of a second, which at the time set a new Brickyard 400 record as the closest margin of victory at the track.

“I think what makes winning at the Brickyard such a unique experience is the fact that for many years they only had the one race with the Indianapolis 500 and there was just so much prestige in a victory there,” recalls Rudd of the history associated with the facility. “Indianapolis Motor Speedway is just such a historical place and I think that’s the main reason why it carries so much glory when you have the chance to win there. It was just an unbelievable win in my career and an incredible day that I’ll never forget.”

Memorable Moments:

• 500th Career Start:

* The Hooters 500 on November 13, 1994 at Atlanta Motor Speedway 
* Drove the #10 Tide Ford owned by Rudd Performance Motorsports 
* Rudd started the race from eighth and finished in 14th 
* Completed 324 of 328 laps * Won a total of $17,200

• 530th Career Start; Rudd earns win to continue streak of one win every season

* This win increases Rudd’s streak to 13 consecutive seasons where he has won at least one race a season ever since his first career win in 1983 at Riverside International Raceway 
* The Dura Lube 500 on October 29, 1995 at Phoenix International Raceway 
* Drove the #10 Tide Ford owned by Rudd Performance Motorsports 
* Began the race from 29th and went on to win 
* Completed all 312 laps and led for 63 laps 
* Won a total of $78,260 
* Listed as eighth in the NASCAR Cup Series driver point standings following the race

• 560th Career Start; Rudd adds another season to his win streak

* Rudd’s win makes this his 14th consecutive season where he posted at least one win a season 
* The AC Delco 400 on October 20, 1996 at North Carolina Motor Speedway 
* Drove the #10 Tide Ford owned by Rudd Performance Motorsports 
* Started the race from second and finished first 
* Battled future Robert Yates Racing teammate, Dale Jarrett for the win 
* Completed all 393 laps and led for a total of 81 
* Won a total of $90,025 
* Listed as sixth in the NASCAR Cup Series driver point standings following the race

• 587th Career Start; Rudd earns his 500th Consecutive NASCAR Cup Series Start

* The CMT 300 on September 14, 1997 at New Hampshire International Speedway 
* Drove the #10 Tide Ford owned by Rudd Performance Motorsports 
* Started the race from 37th, but finished 42nd after being caught up in a crash in Turn 1
* Completed 233 of 300 laps * Won a total of $37,400

Over the next five days, Mars US will help celebrate Rudd’s historical 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.