GMAC Racing Honored at Banquet

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Nov. 26, 2003) – The 2003 NASCAR Busch Series season has officially drawn to a close as the year-ending banquet was held on Friday at the Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Brian Vickers and GMAC Racing were honored for their efforts this season, which produced three wins, one pole position, 13 top-fives, 21 top-10 finishes and the first-ever Busch Series championship for Hendrick Motorsports. By capturing this year’s title, Hendrick Motorsports became just the third racing organization in NASCAR history to win a championship in each of NASCAR’s top-three divisions, which include the Winston Cup Series, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series. Since 1984, Hendrick Motorsports has captured five Winston Cup championships and three Craftsman Truck Series championships. With his 11th-place finish at the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Vickers, at age 20, became the youngest driver ever to win a championship in any of NASCAR’s three national racing series (Winston Cup, Busch and Trucks). “During the banquet last year, I was at home and unsure of what I would be doing in 2003,” Vickers said during his championship acceptance speech. “Then I got a call from Ricky (Hendrick) that changed my future. “Joining Hendrick Motorsports was most definitely one of the proudest moments of my life. And since then, my world has certainly changed -- all for the better.” Following the retirement of driver Ricky Hendrick in 2002, Vickers was chosen by Hendrick and named his successor in December 2002. Hendrick, 23, became the youngest car owner to win a championship in NASCAR history. Vickers will move into the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series in 2004 as driver of the No. 25 Chevrolet Monte Carlos with primary sponsorship from GMAC Financial Services.