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Three Unilever Bestfoods Brands Ink Unique 'Hungry Drivers' 2004 NASCAR Busch Series Sponsorship Deal With Tommy Baldwin Racing. Ragu(R), Shedd's Spread Country Crock(R) and Hellmann's(R) Mayonnaise Sign On As Primary Sponsors Of a 2004 NASCAR Busch Series 12-Race Schedule HOMESTEAD, Fla., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Unilever Bestfoods and Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) announced today that they have signed a 12-race agreement that places up-and-coming drivers behind the wheel of the #6 Dodge car in the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series. The program starts with the Hershey's Kisses 300 at Daytona International Raceway on February 14, 2004 and concludes with the Aaron's 312 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on October 30, 2004. During the 2004 Busch Series racing season, four up-and-coming drivers will drive the #6 Dodge car, sponsored by Unilever Bestfoods brands Ragu(R) pasta sauce, Shedd's Country Crock(R) and Hellmann's(R) mayonnaise. Each driver will compete in three races; at the end of the season the driver who turns in the best performance will be in a prime position to secure a full Busch ride in 2005. "We're really excited about partnering with this winning team of well- known consumer brands, and uncovering the future superstars on the NASCAR racing circuit," Tommy Baldwin said. "This sponsorship gives TBR the resources required to field a competitive NASCAR Busch program, and maximizes Unilever Bestfoods' brand awareness among consumers, NASCAR fans and the national racing community." "Unilever Bestfoods' NASCAR Busch Series sponsorship program provides Ragu(R), Hellmann's(R) and Country Crock(R) an opportunity to drive our brands deeper into the NBS fan base through exciting new sampling and co-marketing programs," said Mike Polk, senior vice president marketing and COO, Unilever Bestfoods. "The NBS race broadcasts provide us with a marketing environment to increase brand awareness with racing fans nationwide. This is an exciting day for our employees, retail partners and consumers." NASCAR Busch Series (NBS) fan base is the second largest group of motorsports fans in the U.S. with network ratings (2.1/+5%) and cable ratings (1.6/+33%) showing positive increases with a total of 71 million viewers in 2002 compared to 46 million in 2000. All 34 NBS races this year will be broadcast live on Fox, NBC, FX and TNT. "The relationship with Tommy Baldwin Racing and the dynamic and unique 'hungry drivers' program gives our sales teams the ability to fully leverage incremental volume opportunities through NASCAR related retail programs," said Art Drogue, senior vice president of sales, Unilever Bestfoods. "We look forward to the 2004 racing season and to the success of the Tommy Baldwin racing team." About Unilever Best Foods: Unilever (NYSE:UNNYSE:UL) is one of the world's largest consumer products companies with annual sales of approximately $47 billion in 2002. It produces and markets a wide range of foods and home and personal care products. Unilever operates in 88 countries around the globe and employs approximately 258,000 people. In the United States, Unilever sales were approximately $11 billion in 2002. It employs approximately 15,000 people and has 59 offices and manufacturing sites in 21 states. Unilever Bestfoods manufactures and markets Lipton(R) teas, soups and side dishes; Wish-Bone(R) salad dressings and marinades; Lawry's(R) seasonings and specialty sauces; Shedd's Country Crock(R) and "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!"(R) spreads and sprays; Ragu(R) pasta and pizza sauces; Knorr(R) soups, sauces and bouillons; Hellmann's(R) and Best Foods(R) mayonnaise; Skippy(R) peanut butter; Bertolli(R) olive oil, premium pasta sauces and frozen dinners; Good Humor-Breyers(R) and Ben & Jerry's(R) Homemade, Inc. ice cream companies; and Slim-Fast(R) nutritional and health snack products. About Tommy Baldwin Racing: Tommy Baldwin Jr., a native of Bellport N.Y., is at the top of his game and continues to prove that he is one of the best Crew Chiefs in the Winston Cup ranks. Like so many NASCAR drivers and crew members, Baldwin's involvement in racing was inspired by his family. His father still competes in the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series where young Baldwin learned the ropes. At 33, he is one of the younger leaders in NASCAR, but carries out his duties as a veteran. His career as Crew Chief began in 1997 with veteran car owner Junie Donlavey. He joined Bill Davis Racing at the end of the 1998 season and stayed with the team until 2002. With Davis, he and Ward Burton clinched the illusive 2002 Daytona 500. He has spent the past season with Ultra Motorsports and driver Jimmy Spencer. Tommy's work ethic is no-nonsense and straight-forward. His goal is to win each weekend and he instills that in everyone around him. For more information, contact David Chapman at 919.557.7890 ext. 12, or by e-mail at DATASOURCE: Unilever Bestfoods CONTACT: David Chapman of 919 Marketing, +1-919-557-7890, ext. 12, or e-mail, , for Unilever Bestfoods

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