ChevronTexaco Teams Up with Racing Partners to Drive Autism Awareness

ChevronTexaco Teams Up with Racing Partners to Drive Autism Awareness

    Racing Writers/News Editors

    SAN RAMON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 2005--

National Campaign Tied to #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge Racing Team's Performance during the 2005 Season Will Benefit the Autism Society of America
    ChevronTexaco Products Company (CTPC), a division of Chevron USA Inc., announced today it has renewed and broadened its commitment to raising public awareness and funding for autism education and advocacy through its racing sponsorship program. In cooperation with Jamie McMurray, driver of the #42 Texaco Havoline/Dodge, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and associate sponsor Home123, the company will continue to expand its national campaign to benefit the Autism Society of America (ASA) from the California Speedway in Fontana, Calif., on Friday morning.
    "With the continued success of Jamie McMurray behind the wheel of the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge, the campaign's efforts will not only raise money, but will also generate greater public awareness of autism," said Craig Duncan, Vice President, ChevronTexaco Products Company, North America. "We encourage participation by the #42 fans to purchase 'Driving Autism Awareness' merchandise, learn more about autism and support so many people like Jamie and his family who are living with autism."
    This year's campaign, "Driving Autism Awareness," will raise funds for autism education and advocacy in part through matching donations of $42 from each of the four campaign partners for every lap that McMurray leads during the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Later this week, during a Fontana news conference, a new "Driving Autism Awareness" 2005 paint scheme for McMurray's #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge Charger will be unveiled. Collectible die-cast replicas of the newly-designed car are now available for purchase on campaign partner Web sites, with a portion of the proceeds from all online sales being donated to the Autism Society of America.
    "ASA is thrilled that the four 'Driving Autism Awareness' campaign partners will help shine the spotlight on autism, one of the most misunderstood and complex developmental conditions that affects more than 1.5 million American children and adults today," said Lee Grossman, president and CEO of the Autism Society of America. "The growing popularity of NASCAR makes it an ideal vehicle to help us spread our message to a wider national audience."
    McMurray, the 2003 NASCAR Raybestos Rookie of the Year, will race the full-size version of the #42 Texaco/Havoline "Driving Autism Awareness" 2005 Dodge Charger at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., on April 3, 2005. The new "Driving Autism Awareness" logo will be visible on the C-post of the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge during every race this season. Last season, McMurray, ChevronTexaco and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates raised more than $28,000 to benefit the ASA during the 2004 "Drive for a Cure."
    "I'm personally very passionate about expanding the campaign partnership this year with the Autism Society of America," McMurray said. "ChevronTexaco created this program last year to support my interest in autism. This charity hits very close to home for me because my niece is autistic, and because I know so many other individuals and families who are affected by it. The team and I are more motivated than ever this racing season to lead as many laps as possible to contribute to this worthy cause."
    Autism is a brain condition that affects a person's ability to communicate, to reason, and to interact with others. An estimated 1 in 250 individuals are diagnosed with the condition daily -- more than 1.5 million individuals are living with autism today. Autism impacts individuals differently to varying degrees of severity, is four times more common in boys than girls and found equally in all walks of life and populations around the world.
    "The Autism Society of America is so grateful to Jamie, ChevronTexaco, Chip Ganassi Racing, Felix Sabates and Home123 for their thoughtful and generous initiative," said Artie Kempner, ASA board member. "Efforts like these help the ASA and its chapters to expand education programs for the early diagnosis of autism, and to offer support to families sharing their lives with autism."
    The 2005 season marks the 18th consecutive year that Texaco/Havoline has supported a racing team in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Racing legends like Don "the Snake" Prudhomme, Mario and Michael Andretti, Davey Allison, Ernie Irvan, Dale Jarrett, Christian Fittipaldi, Kenny Irwin and Ricky Rudd have driven race cars running with Havoline oil and sponsorship.
    Thirty-two years ago, Texaco/Havoline broke into auto racing with its sponsorship of two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi on the Formula One circuit. Through its long-term sponsorship of motorsports, Texaco/Havoline Racing tests its products in the most demanding of laboratories -- high-speed automobiles performing on the race track.
    Founded in Beaumont, Texas, Texaco has been an iconic brand and local success story in U.S. South and East since 1911, with its first service station in Houston.
    For more information, or to make a contribution for autism education and advocacy, please visit the following "Driving Autism Awareness" campaign partner Web sites:

--	Autism Society of America: http://www.autism-society.org
--	Jamie McMurray: www.jamiemcmurray.com
--	Havoline/Racing: http://www.texacohavoline42.com/racing

    About ChevronTexaco Products Company

    ChevronTexaco Products Company is a division of a wholly owned subsidiary of the ChevronTexaco Corporation (NYSE:CVX).
    A full line of lubrication and coolant products are marketed thorough this organization under the Chevron, Texaco and Caltex brand names. Select brands include Havoline(R), Delo(R), Ursa(R), Revtex(R) and Texaco Xpress Lube(R). ChevronTexaco Products Company owns patented technology in advanced lubricants products and new generation base oil technology, as well as coolants. In addition, ChevronTexaco Products Company offers premium gasoline products and a superior retail experience under two highly trusted brands, Chevron and Texaco.
    Headquartered in San Ramon, CA, ChevronTexaco Products Company, together with its ChevronTexaco affiliates worldwide, is ranked among the top three global marketers of lubricants, and is active in more than 180 countries through 4,000 employees.

    About ChevronTexaco Corporation

    ChevronTexaco Corporation is one of the world's leading energy companies. With more than 47,000 employees, ChevronTexaco conducts business in approximately 180 countries around the world, producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas, and marketing and distributing fuels and other energy products. ChevronTexaco is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information on ChevronTexaco is available at www.chevrontexaco.com.

    About Autism Society of America

    Since its inception in 1965, the Autism Society of America has served as the leading source of information and referral on autism and addressed the needs of the autism community across the lifespan. With more than 50,000 members and supporters and a network of over 200 chapters nationwide, ASA's mission is to promote lifelong access and opportunity for all individuals within the autism spectrum, and their families, to be fully participating, included members of their community. This mission includes education, advocacy at state and federal levels, active public awareness and the promotion of research. And with efforts through the national office, headquartered in Bethesda, MD, more funding for autism research has been secured than by those at any other organization.
    For more information about autism or ASA, visit the ASA Web site, www.autism-society.org, or call Toll-Free, 1.800.3AUTISM (1.800.328.8476).

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CONTACT: ChevronTexaco Products Company Greer McVay, 925-790-6908 GCMcVay@chevrontexaco.com or Cohn & Wolfe for ChevronTexaco Chris Knight, 415-365-8524 christopher_knight@cohnwolfe.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OIL/GAS ENERGY EDUCATION AUTOMOTIVE SPORTS SOURCE: ChevronTexaco

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