At the same time, both organizations announced that Clint Bowyer, a native of Emporia, Kansas, will drive the No. 07 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet for the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series campaign.

Bowyer, currently second in the NASCAR Busch Series championship chase, will be accompanied by crew chief Gil Martin as the proven duo pursue the 2006 NEXTEL Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award. Bowyer will also race for the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series title returning to the seat of RCR’s No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet.

“RCR is very pleased to take our partnership with Jack Daniel’s to the next level,” commented Richard Childress, President and CEO of RCR. “Clint Bowyer has done an exceptional job driving the No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet in the Busch Series and has certainly proven himself worthy of this opportunity. I have no doubt he’s ready to take the next step and move to the NEXTEL Cup Series. Clint and Gil (Martin) have great chemistry and have demonstrated they are a winning combination. We have very high expectations for this program and are confident that both Clint and Gil will be excellent representatives for Jack Daniel’s both on and off the track.”

“I would also like to thank Dave Blaney for everything he’s done, not only for RCR but for all he’s done for Jack Daniel’s as well,” added Childress. “Dave is a first class driver and I’m proud to say he drove for RCR. We were lucky to have him and wish him nothing but the best.”

Bowyer, 26, made his NEXTEL Cup Series debut earlier this season at Phoenix International Raceway, posting a 22nd-place finish driving the No. 33 Sylvania Chevrolet. A veteran of 48 NASCAR Busch Series starts, Bowyer scored his first career Busch Series win earlier this season at Nashville Superspeedway. The Emporia, Kan., driver also owns 14 top-five and 25 top-10 finishes in a scorecard that reads like that of a NASCAR journeyman.

”It’s a dream come true for me,” explained Bowyer. “This is exactly what I’ve worked my whole life for – trying to get a shot. Fortunately, I’m getting a shot with one of the best car owners in the business and one of the newest and coolest sponsors in the series. I’m really excited to be a part of it. At the same time I’m excited about what Gil and I have built on the Busch side with the ACDelco team. Hopefully we can continue that success and take it to the next level in the NEXTEL Cup Series.”

“We can’t thank Richard Childress and his team enough for everything they’ve done to make our entry into NASCAR racing so special," said John Hayes, Vice President Americas Brand Director for Jack Daniel's. "We couldn't have chosen a better partner than RCR, and we are excited to extend this relationship and continue to build excitement around the Jack Daniel’s racing team, the 07 Chevy and our 'Pace Yourself. Drink Responsibly.' message.”

“Richard Childress is a winner. Clint Bowyer is a winner. And we’re confident it won’t be long until the Jack Daniel’s Chevy pulls into Victory Lane.”

Bowyer will make his debut in the No. 07 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet at the Daytona 500 Sunday, February 19, 2006 at Daytona International Speedway.

About the Jack Daniel Distillery… Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866, the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow, proprietor, is the oldest registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails.

About Richard Childress Racing … Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than 125 victories and nine NASCAR championships, including six in the NEXTEL Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. It was the first organization to win championships in the NEXTEL Cup Series, Busch Series and Truck Series. Its 2005 NEXTEL Cup Series lineup includes Dave Blaney (No. 07 Jack Daniel’s), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 GM Goodwrench), Jeff Burton (No. 31 Cingular Wireless) and Kerry Earnhardt (No. 33 Bass Pro Shops). Its Busch Series lineup includes Clint Bowyer (No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet) along with Harvick and Brandon Miller (No. 21 Reese’s Chevrolet).