Kodak Returns As Primary Sponsor In NEXTEL Cup Series At Talladega

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 25, 2007) – For the first time in the NASCAR Cup Series, Kodak colors will adorn the hood of the No. 12 car as a primary sponsor, ending the company's 15-month hiatus from NASCAR's top series in that role. This is also the first year Kodak has been a sponsor on the 12 car.

Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 12 Kodak Dodge Charger, will make his 11th start at Talladega Superspeedway and his 197th in the Cup Series this weekend.

Of course, the main concern at Talladega is the same one that exists at every restrictor-plate track -- avoiding the “big one”.

“Like every race at the superspeedways, you have to stay out of trouble,” Newman said. “We’re taking the car that finished third at the Daytona 500 in 2006. We’ll be looking for some people to work with and hopefully, earn a good finish on Sunday without getting caught up in a wreck.”

Newman’s average start at Talladega is 10.8 and his finishing average is 20.9. He has led six races for a total of 25 laps and has completed 1,515 laps of a possible 1,888 for an 80.2 percent completion rate.

“Talladega is a fun track to race at and the race is exciting for everyone, especially the fans,” Newman continued. “One lap you could be fifth and the next lap you might be 25th. You never know what’s going to happen and the winner always seems to emerge at the very end, so it’s a lot of fun to watch.”

Crew chief Mike Nelson and the No. 12 Kodak Dodge team will take chassis PRS-056 as the primary car. The car's third-place finish in the 2006 Daytona 500 occurred after Newman started 18th. The back-up car will be PRS-099, which Newman drove in the 2007 Daytona 500. This car was also used last year at Talladega in May when Newman started 18th and finished 33rd.

The Aaron’s 499 will be broadcast live by FOX and MRN Radio beginning at 1:30 p.m. EDT.

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