Dodge Seeks Candidates for Diversity Scholarship Program
NASCAR Winston Cup Series

Applications Now Available for One-Year, NASCAR-Approved Training

Auburn Hills, Mich. (Jan. 23, 2003) -- Minority candidates interested in pursuing technical careers in professional racing can now apply for scholarships sponsored by the Dodge Motorsports Diversity Scholarship Program. The program, in its third year of operation, aims to attract, recruit and train minorities for positions within the automotive and motorsports industry.

"The Dodge Motorsports Diversity Program represents a guided pathway by which talented technical students can find their way to success as team members in one of the most exciting careers around - NASCAR racing," said John Fernandez, Director - Dodge Motorsports Operations. "This program represents DaimlerChrysler's true commitment to providing opportunities for all Americans."

Following an extensive screening process, up to 10 qualified scholarship recipients will be selected to receive NASCAR-approved training at the Mooresville, N.C., campus of the NASCAR Technical Institute. Scholarships will cover costs associated with tuition, fees, required books, supplies and housing for the one-year automotive/NASCAR technology program.

Throughout the 19-phase, 57-week program, students will receive training in a broad range of technical disciplines including diagnostic analysis and mechanical and electrical systems. Upon successful completion of the training program, graduates may be invited to join Dodge racing teams as entry-level technicians.

"Dodge and DaimlerChrysler have been very proactive in ensuring that our workforce is diverse," said Bob Wildberger, Senior Manager - NASCAR Operations, Dodge Motorsports. "With the support that we're getting from our teams, we're able to see how effective a program like this can be in opening doors for aspiring motorsports employees."

In order to be considered for the scholarship, interested applicants must be age 27 or under and have completed at least high school. Applicants must belong to a recognized U.S. ethnic/racial minority group (i.e., American Indian, Alaskan Native, African American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Asian, Hispanic or Latino). All applications will be processed and evaluated by an independent agency.

Scholarship recipients will be required to take the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) examination. Once enrolled in the automotive technology-training program students must maintain an average 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA).

Program information, guidelines and applications may be downloaded from the Dodge website at www.dodge.com/motorsports . All application materials must be postmarked by March 1, 2003, in order to be processed.

In 2002, the Dodge Motorsports Diversity Scholarship program placed its first three graduates into full-time positions with three Dodge NASCAR race teams. Two graduates joined the No. 9 and No. 19 Dodge Dealers Intrepid race teams of Evernham Motorsports in the Winston Cup Series. A third graduate joined the No. 2 Team ASE/CARQUEST Dodge Ram Craftsman Truck Series team of Ultra Motorsports.