Chevrolet Hosts Exciting On- and Off-Track Activities to Celebrate Chevy Rock & Roll 400

Chevrolet Weekend Activities at Richmond International Raceway to Include a Pre-race Concert, Rock & Roll Paint Schemes and Fun Fan Activities

RICHMOND, Va. - This year’s Chevy Rock & Roll 400 will prove to be another exciting edition of the Rock and Roll-themed race with festivities that include a pre-race performance by Barenaked Ladies, Rock & Roll-themed paint schemes, Chevy driver appearances and other fun fan activities provided by Chevrolet.

The Chevy Rock & Roll 400, a unique collaboration between Chevrolet, Richmond International Raceway and NASCAR to unite pop and rock musicians with elite drivers in NASCAR, enters its fourth year and continues to provide a unique and exciting experience for race fans. Adding to the anticipation is the fact that the event is the final race to determine drivers eligible for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Chase for Championship.

“We brought the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 back again as it’s a great concept to help race fans celebrate Rock & Roll music and great Chevy cars and trucks,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “Music is a part of Chevrolet’s DNA with Chevy vehicles inspiring the lyrics in more than 200 songs and no other brand has so inspired pop culture. We are pleased to have one of America’s best-loved live acts help us kick off one of the most exciting race weekends of the year.”

Barenaked Ladies, who have been performing since 1988 and have sold 14 million records worldwide, will perform a pre-race concert for attending fans on the front-stretch of Richmond International Raceway. Their performance at the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 comes just prior to the group’s first original debut in three years - Barenaked Ladies Are Me - which will hit music stores on Sept. 12. The group will take the stage located at the start-finish line at 5:45 p.m. and perform a mix of new and classic songs. Tickets to view the concert from the front-stretch are available by participating in the Chevy Challenge at Chevy FanFest. Tickets are available while supplies last.

During the race Barenaked Ladies can also be seen taking laps around the ¾-mile track through a special musical paint scheme on Kevin Harvick’s No. 29 GM Goodwrench Monte Carlo SS. The Barenaked Ladies’ paint scheme is one of three special paint designs appearing on GM-sponsored race vehicles during the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 weekend. Clint Bowyer’s No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet will feature the Red Hot Chili Peppers during Friday’s Emerson Radio 250 Busch race while Brian Vickers’ No. 25 GMAC Chevy will highlight an O.A.R. paint scheme during Saturday’s Cup race.

The Chevy Rock & Roll 400 weekend also marks the culmination of the “Chevy SS Rocks” contest. The promotion was held to recognize Chevrolet’s SS ’Super Sport’ performance lineup including the Impala SS as well as the 205-horsepower Cobalt SS Supercharged and the 391-horsepower Trailblazer SS. Grand prize winner William Dent of Alabama will attend the weekend race festivities and meet the Barenaked Ladies and Harvick as part of the Chevy VIP backstage pass he won. Dent will also take home a replica racehood of Harvick’s No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet, complete with signatures from Harvick and the band members.

Chevrolet Impala SS Makes Chevy Rock & Roll 400 Pace Car Debut

Another specially designed Chevy to be featured at Richmond International Raceway is the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 pace vehicle - a 2007 Chevrolet Impala SS. The Impala SS pacing the field will also sport a Rock & Roll design complete with classic hot rod flames, continuing the theme of the three previous Chevy Rock & Roll 400 pace vehicles.

While the hot rod flames are the common thread with past Chevy Rock & Roll 400 pace cars, the colors used this year are significantly different from previous years. A light orange base and a bright red outline accentuating deep purple flames will illuminate the vehicle under the track lights while performing its pace duties.

“The classic flame design became popular in the 1950s with the evolution of the hot rod, just as the Rock & Roll era was beginning,” said Kip Wasenko, director of design for GM specialty vehicles.“ The Impala SS pace car paint scheme helps communicate the connection between Rock & Roll and powerful vehicles while carrying on the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 tradition of the iconic flame design.”

The Impala SS was selected to pace the field during the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 based on its performance attributes that come standard as part of the Chevy SS product lineup. The SS line was first introduced in 1961 on the Impala and continues to provide exceptional performance today, now as one of eight Chevrolet vehicles that carry the SS badge. Nearly identical to the Impala SS vehicles found in dealer showrooms, the pace vehicle is equipped with a 303-horsepower small block 5.3 liter V-8 engine. The Impala SS features GM’s Active Fuel Management technology for an estimated 28 MPG on the highway, performance-tuned suspension, 18-inch performance tires and a starting price of $28,465.

Chevy FanFest Rocks with Excitement All Weekend in Richmond

Throughout the weekend a variety of fun activities will be available to individuals that visit Chevy FanFest located in the sponsor display area outside the race track. Open on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Chevy FanFest will offer live musical entertainment and Chevy driver question and answer sessions hosted by former MTV host Riki Rachtman. The appearance lineup at Chevy FanFest will include:

Friday, Sept. 8

2:00 p.m. Joe Nemechek, Sterling Marlin
2:45 p.m. Jimmie Johnson
3:00 p.m. Denny Hamlin
3:15 p.m. Kyle Busch
3:30 p.m. Martin Truex Jr.

Saturday, Sept. 9

3:00 p.m. Barenaked Ladies
3:30 p.m. J.J. Yeley
3:45 p.m. Jeff Burton
4:00 p.m. Brian Vickers
4:15 p.m. Clint Bowyer
4:30 p.m. Kevin Harvick
5:00 p.m. Tony Stewart

Fans are encouraged to visit Chevy FanFest for other family-friendly activities, various contests and an up close look at the latest Chevy cars and trucks including the all-new 2007 Silverado.

The Chevy Rock & Roll 400 will be broadcast live on TNT with pre-race coverage beginning at 7 p.m. eastern time and drivers taking the green flag at 7:40 p.m. Saturday’s race at Richmond International Raceway will take place in front of 107,000 fans and will mark the 30th consecutive sell-out of a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series event at Richmond International Raceway.

About Chevrolet

Chevrolet is America’s No.1-selling automotive brand. In addition, Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $9,995 to $78,175. Chevy delivers expressive design, spirited performance and great value with standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 327,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2005, 9.17 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM operates one of the world’s leading finance companies, GMAC Financial Services, which offers automotive, residential and commercial financing and insurance. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

###

Note: Chevy Rock & Roll 400 images are available at http://media.gm.com/gmracing.

Contact Information

Jan Thomas

GM Motorsport Communications

General Motors Corp.

Contact via E-mail