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News > 'Mickey & Friends' revs engines at Daytona 500; Disney
to feature collectibles at 2005 NASCAR events
Disney News
Press Release
'Mickey & Friends' revs engines at Daytona 500; Disney to feature
collectibles at 2005 NASCAR events
Mickey and his friends will help NASCAR kick-off the Daytona 500 on
Sunday, February 20, 2005 at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida.
"Race Across America" is this year's theme, as Disney Consumer
Products -- for the second year in a row -- will create a comprehensive
racing-themed merchandising program to be showcased at several upcoming
NASCAR events.
Merchandise ranging from apparel to die-cast replica cars will feature
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Big Bad Wolf, and
the merchandise will be sold at special Disney-themed stores throughout
NASCAR events.
"After witnessing the frenzy over Disney merchandise at last year's
Daytona 500, we knew we wanted to share the Disney magic across multiple
NASCAR events this year," said Andy Mooney, chairman of Disney
Consumer Products Worldwide. "We developed merchandise that not
only showcased Disney's wonderful characters, but also truly connected
with racing fans."
Disney's presence will be felt throughout the Daytona 500, as six wrapped
Monte Carlo cars featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Daisy,
Goofy and Big Bad Wolf will be prominently featured throughout the speedway.
The Disney cars will also have the honor of performing a lap prior to
the National Anthem.
The Daytona International Speedway's 10,000 square-foot retail center
will feature a special Disney store, and a 50-foot Disney trailer will
be on site for fans to purchase merchandise. Mickey and his "racin'
roadie" friends will then hit the road along with the Disney trailer
to the California Speedway for Auto Club 500, and additional NASCAR
events across the country.
In honor of the Daytona 500, Wal-Mart stores in Florida will carry
the Disney racing merchandise, and QVC began selling Disney racing merchandise
in February. NASCAR's Superstore Website will feature the Disney merchandise
throughout the racing season at: http://store.nascar.com.
Additional NASCAR events featuring Disney merchandise include the Auto
Club 500 in Fontana, CA on February 27 and the Subway Fresh 500 in Phoenix,
AZ on April 23rd. For more information please visit: www.nascar.com.
"Of all the special event programs that International Speedway
Corporation has participated in, the Disney program has been the most
successful in terms of building awareness and product sales," said
Karen Mell director of brand management of ISC. "NASCAR and Disney
share such a strong emotional connection with their fans -- it is easy
to understand why this program is such a winner."
About Disney Consumer Products
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the business segment of The Walt
Disney Company (DIS) that extends the Disney brand to merchandise ranging
from apparel, toys, home decor and books to interactive games, food
and beverages, electronics and animation art.
This is accomplished through the work of DCP's various lines of business:
Disney Toys, Disney Softlines, Disney Hardlines, Disney Publishing,
Buena Vista Games and Baby Einstein. The Disney Store, which debuted
in 1987, also falls under DCP, through licensing agreements for the
stores in North America and Japan and wholly owned stores in Europe.
