One Hot Ride

Jeff Gordon trades the familiar fire and flames for a Chip Foose special

FONTANA, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2006) – Initially unveiled last fall at the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in Las Vegas, the No. 24 DuPont Hot Hues Heat Waves and Flames Chevrolet is set to burn up the track here at California Speedway during the 500-mile NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race on Sunday, February 26. The car represents an unprecedented union of automotive star power and horsepower as award-winning car designer Chip Foose, four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, DuPont Automotive Finishes, Hendrick Motorsports and Motorsports Authentics Inc. came together to fire up this hot machine.

Foose, whose custom creations are made for private individuals, television, film and automobile manufacturers, had a distinct vision in mind when he set about creating the Heat Waves and Flames machine.

“I try to be original and innovative in all of my designs, and, with this race car, I wanted to create a truly unique representation of speed and power,” Foose said. “The heat waves and flames are reminiscent of the heat that radiates off of race motors and asphalt.”

While at the SEMA show, Foose explained how he used a combination of DuPont Hot Hues paints – primarily Blackened (Hot Hues No. 759196) and Starry Night (Hot Hues No. 754870) – to create the base striped color scheme that serves as the foundation of the Heat Waves and Flames design. The car also incorporates the following Hot Hues™ colors as accents: Snow Storm, Atomic Tangerine, Lemon Glow, Dragon Fire and Sassy Orchid.
 
For Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports, the Foose-designed car provides a unique showcase for DuPont, the No. 24 team’s longtime sponsor.

“Cars obviously play a big part in my life,” Gordon explained. “This project unites some of my favorite interests: custom cars, cool paint schemes and racing. I have been with DuPont for many years, and I’m glad they have responded to the custom paint industry needs with a dedicated brand of premium custom finishes.”

Motorsports Authentics (formerly Action Performance) was instrumental in generating the multi-brand merger of industry powerhouses and is producing die-cast replica versions of the elaborate No. 24 DuPont Hot Hues Heat Waves and Flames 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The collectibles, which will be available in a variety of collector scales, will feature the same DuPont Hot Hues paints and Heat Waves and Flames design seen on the full-size race car when it races this weekend. The Foose-designed DuPont Hot Hues Heat Waves and Flames Chevrolet is the first major special that the No. 24 team has exhibited in the 2006 race season.

About Foose Design:
Founded in 1998, Foose Design is an automotive and product development company directed by legendary designer and fabricator Chip Foose. Headquartered in Huntington Beach, Calif., the company specializes in illustration, graphics, ideation model making, surfacing and the complete construction of automobiles and automobile-related products, including its unique line of Foose Design wheels. Its products and creative services are available to private individuals, television and film companies and automotive manufacturers. Chip Foose and his Foose Design team can be seen on the popular new Discovery Channel series Overhaulin’ that airs weekly on TLC or visit the company Web site at www.foosedesign.com for more information.

About DuPont™ :
DuPont™ is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont™ puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Hot Hues™ custom finishing products help to transform vehicles into unique works of art. This finishing system includes special two- and three-stage basecoat colors, easy-to-use clearcoats that provide outstanding appearance, undercoats that make vehicle preparation easy and innovative special effect offerings including Hot Candy Color dye concentrates and other specialty products. For information about Hot Hues™ products or programs, visit www.hothues.dupont.com.

About Motorsports Authentics Inc.:
Motorsports Authentics Inc., formerly Action Performance Companies Inc., is the leader in the design, promotion, marketing and distribution of licensed motorsports merchandise. The company’s products include a broad range of motorsports-related die-cast replica collectibles, apparel, souvenirs and other sports-inspired memorabilia. Motorsports Authentics markets and distributes products through a variety of channels including the Action Racing Collectables Authorized Dealer network, the Racing Collectables Club of America, QVC, goracing.com, trackside at racing events, direct corporate promotions, mass retail and department stores, specialty dealers and select online retailers. For more information about Motorsports Authentics and its Action Performance subsidiary, please visit the Web site at www.action-performance.com.