LADWIG HIGHLIGHTS RECORD-BREAKING WEEKEND IN SAINT LOUIS

MADISON, Ill. Aug. 24, 2004 - The track was fast, the weather was just perfect, and the time was right to see NHRA Sport Compact records fall on a regular and consistant basis last weekend at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ill. There was however, one specific performance that outshined all the others, shocking the masses in attendance, the sports media, NHRA executives, and fans alike.

Marty Ladwig, driver of the GM Racing Pontiac Sunfire, powered the first ever front-wheel-drive uni-body Hot Rod category race car into the seven-second range, blasting down the quarter-mile strip in 7.973-seconds at over 184 mph.

"It's awesome to accomplish a feat that most people in the industry thought was unattainable," Ladwig said. "The run was perfect. It was one of the smoothest passes we have ever made. The GM Racing engineers have worked extremely hard to overcome all the hurdles and get to the point where we are with the program."

In addition to the record pass, Ladwig also set both ends of the class national performance records and won his fifth race of the season and ninth of his career in NHRA. The San Antonio native is now a virtual lock to win the season championship for the second consecutive year. He is currently more then 200 points ahead of the next closest competitor (Gary Gardella) with only two races remaining in the 2004 campaign.

"The fact that we are doing so well this season and are about to win the championship is due to the awesome preparation of the car and the consistency provided by the team," Ladwig said. "We are really happy with the position that we are in. The plan from the beginning of the season was to run consistently and it's great to see the achievements come together."

This has been a highlight-filled season for the factory Pontiac racer, as he continues his domination of the Hot Rod field. Ladwig has had the low E.T. and speed at six of eight races this season, has been either winner or runner-up at seven of the eight, and has won the No. 1 qualifying award six
times.

"I think we can continue to make huge improvements in the front-wheel-drive drag race cars," he said. "As a team, we are constantly trying to go as fast as possible and will not allow the success of this season to stop us from pushing the limits of speed and technology."