NEW 2006 MATCO TOOLS IRON EAGLE DODGE FUNNY CAR DESIGN RELEASED

NEW 2006 MATCO TOOLS IRON EAGLE DODGE FUNNY CAR DESIGN RELEASED

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2006 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES


Matco Tools, in cooperation with Action Performance Companies, Inc., today released an all-new design for the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Funny Car, to be driven by Whit Bazemore in the 2006 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

The Matco Tools Iron Eagle design was first conceptualized in 2001, when Matco Tools joined Don Schumacher Racing, and has since evolved into a dynamic, bold, even sinister icon for Matco Tools, representing the strength of the company's products.

The 2006 design will carry over some of the purple color from 2005, and will incorporate electric shades of red and blue, as well as lightning bolts, giving the Iron Eagle a stronger, more dramatic image.

″This unique design reflects the new strength of the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge team,″ said John Torok, motorsports marketing manager for Matco Tools.

Added Don Schumacher: ″I am proud of the longtime relationship that Don Schumacher Racing continues to maintain with Matco Tools. This new Funny Car design clearly reflects the company's dynamic presence in the professional mechanics' tool industry and we at DSR look forward to a continuing strong relationship with Matco Tools as we work together towards a 2006 Funny Car championship.″

Torok also welcomed new crew chief Brian Corradi to the team. ″We're proud to have Brian Corradi on board as crew chief,″ he said. "Brian has a history with Matco Tools from his days at Skuza Motorsports and we're looking forward to working with him in our quest to win races and a championship.″

″For the past five years, since we've enjoyed major sponsorship from Matco Tools, we've been fortunate that the company has designed really good-looking race cars,″ said Bazemore, ″but, at the end of the day, what's important is how the car runs. For that reason I'm more excited about Brian Corradi coming on board to work with Todd Okuhara and to start our season off aggressively.″

Based in Stow, Ohio, and a division of Danaher Corporation, Matco Tools has been manufacturing and distributing professional mechanics' tools since 1979. Matco Tools is represented by more than 1500 franchised distributors across North America and Puerto Rico. Matco Tools franchised distributors enjoy the independence of owning their businesses and benefiting from an award-winning franchise system. For more information, go to www.matcotools.com.