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HERZOG JACKSON MOTORSPORTS TO MISS CHICAGO

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (July 9, 2003) – Herzog Jackson Motorsports announced this morning that they will not be attending the Busch Series event this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway due to lack of sponsorship. The team, which has been plagued by sponsorship problems for most of the season, led the driver point standings for nine weeks. However, owner Randy Herzog has stated all along that without a viable sponsor for the rest of the season, the team would not continue racing.

"This is a first class organization and we had hoped to continue to compete for the championship, " stated Randy Herzog. "Unfortunately, as so many other teams are experiencing, the economy has not allowed us to close a sponsor that would take us through the 2003 season. We will continue to pursue several opportunities in the hope that we can return to competition soon."

Initially, Herzog Jackson Motorsports committed to compete in only the first five events of the season. However, when the No. 92 Chevrolet Monte Carlo stood first in the driver points standings after Bristol (the fifth event on the schedule), the owners decided to continue to race. Just when it looked as if the team were to suspend its racing season, the gpsstore.com and Garmin jumped on board for the Richmond event. From there, both ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve) and Monster split sponsorship of the team through last week's event at Daytona.

Team driver Todd Bodine expressed his disappointment as he was told of the owner's decision. "In all my years of racing I have never been with a team that has performed so well under such pressure and uncertainty. Randy and Stan [Herzog] have poured money into this team in hopes something would pan out. While I am devastated, I can understand their decision. My hope now is to find a way to race this weekend so I can keep up my driver points."

Looking for the silver lining in the decision, crew chief Tony "Rambo" Liberati reminded his team of the opportunities that lie ahead. "The professionalism and performance of this team has not gone unnoticed. I feel certain that because of our record the right company will come along to partner with us. In the meantime, we will keep building our Chevrolets, perfecting our pit stops and keeping our chins up. Racing is a volatile sport. I am just hoping we climb out of this situation quickly."

Herzog Jackson Motorsports, which is co-owned by Bill, Randy and Stanley Herzog and Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, is in its fourth full season of competition in the NASCAR Busch Series. Since 2000, the team has claimed one pole, three wins, 16 top-five finishes and 36 top-10 finishes in 121 starts. The team currently sits fourth in the driver point standings, 43 points out of first place.