• eBay Auction Of Cowlishaw Smoke Show Firesuit, Stewart-Signed Gloves, TMS VIP Ticket Package Nets Nearly $15,000 For Food Bank

• Two-Time Series Champion Stewart Matches eBay Bid To Double Donation

FORT WORTH, Texas (December 20, 2007) – As a result of the holiday spirit of giving from Tim Cowlishaw, the ESPN “Around The Horn” regular, noted Dallas Morning News sports columnist and “NASCAR Now” analyst, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and Texas Motor Speedway, the North Texas Food Bank will be able to provide meals to enough less fortunate people that would fill “The Great American Speedway!” to capacity.
An eBay auction of special items initiated by Cowlishaw and the generosity of Stewart generated nearly $30,000 for the North Texas Food Bank, and that sum will translate into 150,000 meals to the less fortunate beginning with this holiday season. Cowlishaw auctioned off his personalized firesuit and Stewart-signed Oakley driving gloves from the Tony Stewart Smoke Show media fantasy camp held in October at Texas Motor Speedway, in addition to a special Samsung 500 VIP ticket package valued at $1,125 that was donated by Texas Motor Speedway.

The auction package was on eBay for seven days, beginning Dec. 12 with an opening bid of $350. The package attracted 56 bids over the week-long period and the auction concluded Wednesday with a winning bid of $14,988. Stewart, known for a big heart when it comes to charitable causes, said prior to the bidding process that he would match whatever the winning bid came in at, and his generosity pushed the donation for the North Texas Food Bank to $29,976.

“We are deeply grateful to Tim Cowlishaw and Tony Stewart for the $29,976, which will provide 150,000 meals for hungry North Texans,” North Texas Food Bank Chief Executive Officer Jan Pruitt said. “Not only did Tim leverage his ESPN ‘Around the Horn’ appearance, but Tony matched the winning eBay bid dollar for dollar. They understand that food is the necessary fuel which powers the human body to achieve great things, and that hunger has no place at the starting line of life.”

Added Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage: “This exemplifies the special and caring people we have in the motorsports community. Tim mentioned to us about what he planned to do and we – along with Tony – were more than willing to assist him however we could in his cause. It truly is incredible to realize what an impact that donation to the North Texas Food Bank will make to the less fortunate.”

Cowlishaw was stunned by the success of the auction and greatly appreciated everyone’s generosity for his special cause this holiday season.

“I just want to thank everyone who bid and participated in this. I never dreamed it would be this successful and raise this kind of money for the North Texas Food Bank,” Cowlishaw said. “I think it just shows what kinds of people are out there involved in NASCAR. I particularly want to thank Tony Stewart for matching the winning bid and Texas Motor Speedway for putting the tickets and passes into the auction that increased the interest. Thanks again to everyone, and I hope we all can continue to support local food banks and charities that assist those in need.”

For more information, contact the Texas Motor Speedway Media Relations

Department at (817) 215-8520 or pr@texasmotorspeedway.com