Marathon Brand Marketing Announces NASCAR Racing Sponsorship

FINDLAY, Ohio, July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC's (soon to be known as Marathon Petroleum Company LLC (MPC)) marketing group has begun a multi-year partnership with Competitive Edge Motorsports (CEM) to race in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.

MPC is sponsoring the "Number 51" Chevrolet Monte Carlo, which displays a red, white and blue paint scheme promoting Marathon's "American Spirit" theme. CEM plans on running 12 races this year, which began with the Michigan International Speedway race in June. "This partnership with Marathon Brand as our primary sponsor will bring our race team to a new level. It is truly a great organization to work with," said CEM owner, Joe Auer.

"This is a great opportunity to enter NASCAR with a team like Competitive Edge Motorsports," said Mary Ellen Peters, MPC senior vice president, marketing. "Joe Auer and the CEM team are committed to excellence -- just like Marathon. With this combination of talent and strong work ethic, we're looking forward to some exciting racing!"

The car will be piloted by Stuart Kirby, a talented young driver from Bowling Green, Ky. Kirby has been acknowledged by sportscasters as one of the more up-and-coming drivers they have seen in years.

Based in Findlay, Ohio, MPC is the nation's fifth largest refiner with 948,000 barrels-per-day capacity in its seven-refinery system. MPC's retail marketing system comprises approximately 5,400 locations in 17 states; nearly 70 percent are Marathon brand locations. MPC serves the Midwest and Southeast as a petroleum products marketer with 85 light product and asphalt terminals and has access to about 8,400 miles of pipeline. MPC is a limited liability company owned 100 percent by Marathon Oil Corporation (effective June 30, 2005) .