Ford's major fall truck ad blitz includes the second-annual Ford Truck "Race to the Dream" NASCAR promotion.

• Ford F-Series marketing blitz leverages new NFL season, growing Toby Keith relationship and beginning of NASCAR's "Chase for the Nextel Cup" as 30th anniversary of truck leadership approaches.
• Ford launches second year of "Race to the Dream" Ford Truck promotion at www.racetothedream.com ; 60,000 fans entered last year's contest.
• Nine winners to face each other on track and in trucks for VIP trip to NASCAR's season finale - Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
• The "Fan Driving Champion's" VIP treatment will include meeting Nextel Cup drivers, waving the green flag at the Ford 300 Busch race and being interviewed on national TV.
• Ford's NASCAR investment pays off with large numbers of loyal truck customers.

DEARBORN, Mich, Sept. 14, 2006 - Ford's massive fall marketing blitz for the Ford F-Series truck line will include the "Race to the Dream" - a chance for nine NASCAR fans to compete on a track in race-prepped Ford trucks for a chance to win a VIP trip to the Ford Championship Weekend - the NASCAR season finale for the Craftsman Truck, Busch and Nextel Cup series, which kicks off Nov. 14 at Homestead Miami Speedway.

The "Race to the Dream" is a major component of Ford's comprehensive plan to reach truck customers through NFL football, racing and country music - the most popular truck customer activities when they're not working with their F-Series.

"Last year's ‘Race to the Dream' was a strong success so Ford Trucks is excited to bring back this unique opportunity for our truck consumers and race fans" says Todd Eckert, Ford Truck marketing manager. "Our buyers are passionate about trucks and NASCAR racing - the ‘Race to the Dream' competition brings both together to give fans a chance to prove who is Built Ford Tough.

"With F-Series being the best selling truck in America for 29 years running and Ford's position as the host to NASCAR's final week of competition in the 'Chase for the NEXTEL Cup', Ford Trucks is able to provide a true once-in-a-lifetime experience through the promotion."

Ford's major fall truck advertising campaign will be highly visible as these national entertainment powerhouses shift into high gear. This weekend in New Hampshire, the top 10 NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers begin the new "Chase for the Nextel Cup" 10-race playoff that will culminate at the Nov. 14-19 Ford Championship Weekend in Homestead.

Meanwhile, the new NFL football season kicks off its second weekend of action and Toby Keith begins a west-coast swing for his new "Hookin' Up and Hangin' Out" concert tour. Ford Truck also expands its relationship with Keith to his big-screen debut in Paramount Classic Films, Broken Bridges , co-starring Kelly Preston, Burt Reynolds and Willie Nelson.

Racing and Dreaming

Ford's long-time involvement in NASCAR continues to grow, including the launch of the second year of the Built Ford Tough "Race to the Dream Ultimate Fan Experience" promotion. The promotion breaks the typical luck-of-the-draw sweepstakes mold by challenging finalists to race each other against the clock at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Race fans can enter the contest at www.racetothedream .com and can earn additional entries by answering a variety of questions about Ford F-Series Trucks and Ford Racing. Nine lucky finalists will race each other in timed competitions in Ford Fusion NASCAR race cars on the track and Ford F-Series trucks in drag races and off-road challenges for the dream race-weekend grand prize at Ford Championship Weekend. The on-track racing will even include timed pit stops as part of the spirited competition.

The promotion's successful launch last year drew more than 60,000 race fans who signed up to play the weekly game and win the "Ultimate Fan Experience."

The Ford 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup finale likely will be the year's most important race again because the new "Chase" 10-race playoff format places more emphasis on the final races than ever. Ford is in the third year of a 10-year sponsorship of Homestead-Miami Speedway and all three season-ending NASCAR races.

"Ford is leveraging truck customers' passion for racing and NASCAR's new ‘Chase' playoffs that should once again determine the Nextel Cup champion at the Ford Championship Weekend Homestead finale," says Dan Davis, director, Ford Racing Technology. "The Daytona 500 is the biggest race but Homestead probably is now the most important."

Racing pays off for truck business

Ford's new ad strategy is aimed squarely at pickup truck customers' favorite pastimes - racing, country music and outdoors activities. In addition to placing F-Series advertising in heavy rotation during NFL football games and leveraging its Toby Keith relationship more than ever, Ford Trucks will be highly visible at NASCAR events and during racing television coverage.....

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