New beginning for Texaco Havoline Racing.

Texaco Havoline Racing together with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced today that rookie sensation driver Jamie McMurray will pilot the #42 Havoline Dodge in the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series with veteran Donnie Wingo performing the crew chief duties.

While the initial announcement was made back in September, the new statement confirms car number and paint scheme design for the Havoline Dodge.

For Texaco Havoline Racing, the new car number signifies a 'new beginning' for the long-running NASCAR sponsor. as ChevronTexaco's vice-president North America Lubricants, Craig Duncan, said.

"We are very excited about our new partnership with Chip Ganassi Racing and Jamie McMurray. We see this as a remarkable opportunity to re-energise our Havoline brand, in driving it towards our goal of being the brand of choice among the motoring public in the USA."

Talking about Havoline's Global winning proposition, Craig Peterhansen, vice-president for ChevronTexaco Global Lubricants Solutions said, "Havoline racing is synonymous with different forms of the sport, worldwide. For us the racing tracks have become virtual laboratories all over the world and help us to provide superior performance and protection to our loyal customers day in and day out. We are very excited about Jamie and Chip and are certain that our winning tradition will continue for years to come."

"I feel honoured to be chosen as the driver of the Havoline Dodge," McMurray said. "When you look back on the list of drivers that have been behind the wheel of the Havoline car, it's very impressive. I look forward to being able to carry on the tradition."

McMurray, who will be competing for Raybestos Rookie of the Year honours during the 2003 Winston Cup season, enters the campaign already with a Winston Cup victory to his credit. McMurray won the UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway on 13 October - in only his second Winston Cup start. McMurray set a new NASCAR modern-era record by becoming the quickest driver to win a Winston Cup race.

McMurray, who filled in for the injured Sterling Marlin in the last six races during the 2002 Winston Cup season, scored one victory, one top-five, two top-10 and three top-15 finishes.

"Jamie brings a lot of energy and heart to our team," said car owner Chip Ganassi. "I think Jamie has already shown his ability to win races and run up front. We anticipate having a strong showing with Jamie in the Havoline Dodge during the 2003 season. We are also very excited to have Havoline join the Ganassi organisation. Our goal continues to be to add value to our sponsorships and we feel Jamie will help achieve that goal next season."

In addition, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced today that veteran crew chief Donnie Wingo has been hired to serve as McMurray's crew chief during the 2003 season. Wingo comes to Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates after a seven-year stint as crew chief with Hass Carter Motorsports.

"I am honoured to have the opportunity to join Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates," Wingo said. "This is a top-flight organisation and they have assembled the personnel to help guarantee a successful season next year. I'm also excited to have the opportunity to work with Jamie. He has a lot of talent and I look forward to seeing what we're able to accomplish next year."

Wingo, who is entering his 22nd season on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, has a total of four NASCAR Winston Cup Series victories as crew chief. The 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season marks Havoline's 16th consecutive year as a Winston Cup sponsor. In its 16 years of NASCAR Winston Cup racing, Havoline drivers have combined for 27 victories and compiled a storied history in NASCAR's elite division.