Trevor Bayne to Drive the No. 99 Diamond-Waltrip Racing Toyota in 2010

PHOENIX, Ariz. (November 14, 2009) – Diamond-Waltrip Racing (DWR) announced today that Trevor Bayne has signed a multi-year contract to drive the No. 99 Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series beginning in 2010. Additionally, MWR has signed a contract with Bayne to run a minimum of seven NASCAR Sprint Cup races in 2011 with an eye on full-time Sprint Cup competition by 2012.

Currently, Diamond-Waltrip Racing has limited sponsorship from Aaron’s for the 2010 season and is still searching for additional sponsor support for the remaining races.

“We are extremely excited to have Trevor behind the wheel of the No. 99 Toyota,” said Gary Bechtel, co-owner of DWR. “Even though the No. 99 team is not fully sponsored, we are committed to running Trevor in the entire season so he can compete for the championship. He has shown a lot of promise this season and we expect him to be one of the frontrunners next year.”

“From the first lap he took in our car this past summer, we knew Trevor was special,” remarked Michael Waltrip. “Thanks to Gary and Blake Bechtel, we now have the opportunity to show the rest of the world what we already know about Trevor – he is young, smart, talented and will be an impact player for MWR and Diamond-Waltrip Racing. Some sponsor is going to want to grow through the ranks with him and we’re ready to deliver a winner.”

The Knoxville, Tenn., native joins DWR with an impressive résumé that includes more than 20 championships in go karts, Allison Legacy Series and the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series.

Bayne’s on track success continued when Dale Earnhardt Inc. signed the youngster to its driver development program in 2008. That year he began competing in the NASCAR Camping World East where he grabbed his first series win at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway on July 21. He went on to earn six top-five and seven top-10 finishes and finished fourth in the NASCAR Camping World East point standings.

In 2009, the young phenom debuted in the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Bristol Motor Speedway in March where he finished 23^rd. Since jumping onto the Nationwide Series scene, Bayne has grabbed one pole (Indianapolis Raceway Park), two top-10 and six top-15 finishes.

“This is what I have worked my entire life for,” remarked Bayne. “I am excited to finally make it to this level of competition. I have been dreaming of this moment since I began racing go karts. I am very grateful to Gary and Blake Bechtel and the entire MWR organization for giving me this awesome opportunity. I can’t wait to get to Daytona next year to begin a race for the championship.”

Bayne and the new Diamond-Waltrip Racing team will begin their quest toward a NNS championship next year at Daytona International Speedway.

Gary and his Son Blake Bechtel Join Forces with MWR to Form Diamond-Waltrip Racing

PHOENIX, Ariz. (November 14, 2009) – The principals of Diamond Ridge Motorsports and Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced today the formation of Diamond-Waltrip Racing which will enter a full-time NASCAR Nationwide Series team starting in 2010 for driver Trevor Bayne.

Diamond-Waltrip Racing, co-owned by majority owners, Gary and Blake Bechtel and owners, Michael Waltrip and Rob Kauffman, has purchased the assets and associated car owner benefits of Michael Waltrip Racing’s No. 99 Toyota Camry team. Drivers Scott Speed, Michael Waltrip, David Reutimann, Patrick Carpentier and Bayne have shared the No. 99 Camry this year. The No. 99 team’s best year was 2007 when Reutimann finished second in the Nationwide Series Driver points standings.

Diamond-Waltrip Racing will field its team for Bayne out of Michael Waltrip Racing’s Cornelius, N.C., facility and will continue to be managed by MWR personnel. The team has secured limited sponsorship and is seeking additional race sponsors for 2010.

“I am really excited to get back on the team ownership side with MWR,” said Bechtel. “MWR seems to be one of the fastest growing and most successful teams right now in NASCAR. They have been able to prove their success on and off the race track and have excelled in sponsor relations.”

“The Nationwide team is very important to me because it started in my garage behind my house and it’s where I first developed my relationship with Aarons,” stated Waltrip. “Having someone as passionate about that team as me is why I’m honored to have Gary and Blake Bechtel as my partners. They are all in for this team’s success and have given us the opportunity to race Trevor Bayne full-time. This is just another way Michael Waltrip Racing is securing its future with great sponsors and partnerships.”

Bechtel jumped onto the NASCAR scene in 1990 when he formed Diamond Ridge Motorsports. Bobby Hamilton was slated as the first driver for Bechtel’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team. His first race was in the 1990 Coca-Cola 600.

Bechtel’s success on the race track didn’t come until he started his NASCAR Nationwide Series program in 1995. Steve Grissom was tabbed as Bechtel’s first Nationwide Series driver. In only 15 races, he notched two wins, four top-five and seven top-10 finishes.

The success continued over the next five years. All told, he earned 10 wins, 30 top-five and 54 top-10 finishes in 174 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts. At the end of the 1999, Bechtel sold his entire operation to Joe Gibbs and moved to California.

The new Diamond-Waltrip Racing team will make its debut next season during the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Bayne will be behind the wheel of the DWR No. 99 Toyota machine as he makes his bid for the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship.

MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH TOYOTA THROUGH END OF 2012

PHOENIX, Ariz. (November 14, 2009) – Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced today the extension of its partnership with Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The new agreement will keep the emerging organization with the manufacturer through the end of 2012.

MWR launched its full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams in 2007 during Toyota’s inaugural year in the premier series. With Toyota’s support, MWR has won three poles, the 50^th running of the Coca-Cola 600 and competed for a berth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship until the final regular-season event at Richmond International Raceway in September.

In 2010, MWR will field the No. 00 Aaron’s/Tums/Best Western Toyota Camry full-time with driver David Reutimann, the No. 55 Toyota Camry with Michael Waltrip on a limited basis and the No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry full-time with Martin Truex Jr. Additionally, MWR signed a two-year technical alliance extension with JTG-Daugherty Racing to field the No. 47 Toyota Camry with driver Marcos Ambrose.

MWR receives engines from Toyota Racing Development (TRD) out of Costa Mesa, California, along with Red Bull Racing. TRD’s Salisbury, N.C., facility supports MWR’s vehicle dynamics and development, aerodynamics, tire data analysis and race strategy programs.

“Simply put, MWR would not exist without Toyota,” said co-owner Michael Waltrip. “Toyota put us on the map in 2007 and that’s why I was so proud to deliver TRD’s engine facility its first NASCAR Sprint Cup win. For MWR to know it has Toyota’s support through the 2012 season is phenomenal and delivers our organization what every team in the garage desires – stability.

“Michael Waltrip Racing was a part of Toyota’s “Freshman Class” and they have shown tremendous progress, as well as dedication to Toyota’s goal of winning the Manufacturer’s Championship,” said Lee White, President of TRD. “Michael has always been a tremendous spokesperson for Toyota and continues to impress all of us with the moves he is making to elevate MWR to a championship caliber organization.”

This announcement comes on the heels of MWR announcing 100% renewal with its existing sponsors, a new relationship with TUMS as a primary and associate sponsor on the No. 00, a two-year extension with JTG-Daugherty Racing and a new partnership with its NASCAR Nationwide Series team with Gary and Blake Bechtel forming Diamond-Waltrip Racing to field Camrys for 18-year-old phenom Trevor Bayne.

“We have come a long way in a short period of time,” Waltrip added. “We have a lot more work ahead of us, but we are truly blessed that, in these times, we have so many positive announcements for our partners and employees.”

Trevor Bayne - Phoenix Preview

NOTES

· This week’s No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota at Phoenix International Raceway … Trevor Bayne will pilot Chassis No. 047 from the Michael Waltrip Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. Most recently, David Reutimann drove this race car to an eighth-place finish a few weeks ago. Additionally, Bayne grabbed his first NASAR Nationwide series pole and top-10 finish with this Chassis in July at O’Reilly Raceway Park.

· Final Start … This weekend’s race marks Bayne’s last NASCAR Nationwide Series start for the 2009 season. Scott Speed will navigate the No. 99 machine next weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

· Media Center … Bayne will be in the Phoenix International Raceway media center this Saturday at 9:30 a.m. to field questions from the media and to discuss 2010 plans.

· 15^th Nationwide Series Start … Bayne will make his 15^th-career NNS start this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. In 14 previous starts, he boasts two top-10 and six top-15 finishes, an 8.2 starting average coupled with an 18.3 finishing average. He has completed 95.4 percent (2,864 of 3,001) of the laps contested.

· After 32 … Over the season’s first 33 races, the No. 99 team has notched nine top-10 and 17 top-15 finishes. The MWR team sits 17^th in the owners’ point standings. They are 60 points behind the No. 11 entry in 16^th and only 89 points out of the top 15.

· Online with the Times … To keep up with the latest news and information about Bayne visit his official website at www.trevorbayne.com. For minute-to-minute info about Bayne and the rest of the MWR crew, check out www.twitter.com/aaronssports.

· Race Broadcast Information … The Able Body Labor 200 will be televised live on ESPN2 on Saturday, November 14 beginning at 4 p.m. EST. The race will also be broadcast on MRN and Sirius XM Satellite Radio. Qualifying for the 34rd event of the 2009 NNS season will air Saturday, November 14 beginning at 12:05 p.m. EST on SPEED. MRN and Sirius XM Satellite Radio will also broadcast live updates of time trials.

TREVOR BAYNE QUOTE:

This is your final start of the 2009 season. Do you think it was a success?

“Well considering I didn’t even have a ride at the beginning of the 2009 season, I would have to say yes. I really wish I could have grabbed a top five or even a win in my 14 starts but I think I learned a lot this season. I think the track time that I received this year will definitely translate into top five finishes next season.”

What is the biggest thing you have learned so far this season?

“I have learned that you have to have patience. During the Nationwide races you have plenty of time to adjust on your cars. You also have plenty of time to work past people so you don’t have to drive the wheels off the car from lap one. In this series you have to have a little patience and realize there is plenty of time to make your way to the front.”

The last time you drove Chassis No.047 you grabbed your first NASCAR Nationwide Series pole and top-10 finish. You think you can do it again at Phoenix?

“I am pretty comfortable on short tracks but I have been told that Phoenix doesn’t race like a short track. There is a lot of room to pass and find a groove that your car handles well on. However, I hope we have the same luck that we did at ORP. I hope I can end this season with a bang and carry the momentum into next season.”

Solid Effort Nets Trevor Bayne and Aaron’s Team Top-15 Finish in Texas

Ft. Worth, Texas (Nov. 9, 2009) – Trevor Bayne and the No. 99 Aaron’s Outdoor Toyota team rebounded from being put a lap down early in the O’Reilly Challenge to turn in a 13th-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday afternoon.

After posting the fourth-fastest time in Friday’s final practice session, Bayne and Co. qualified the No. 99 Aaron’s Outdoor Toyota 11th.

In front of an estimated crowd of 76,000 race fans, the 18-year-old driver tried his best to work his way through the field but a loose-handling race car hampered any forward progress. The rookie driver would fall all the way to 19th before green-flag pit stops began on lap 54.

Veteran Crew chief Jerry Baxter summoned his driver on to pit road two laps later for fuel, four fresh Goodyear tires with an air pressure adjustment and a major chassis adjustment. A solid green-flag pit stop by the over-the-wall crew allowed Bayne to remain 19th in the running order.

As the No. 99 Aaron’s Outdoor Toyota began to come to life, Bayne found himself back in the top 15th battling for the “Aaron’s Lucky Dog” award. On lap 153 a caution flew for a single-car incident and the Knoxville, Tenn., native found himself back on the lead lap with just under 50 laps remaining in the race.

The final caution flag flew on lap 178 with Bayne running in the 13th spot. With no fresh tires left in the pits, Baxter opted to stay out and gain some valuable track position. Unfortunately, a few of the leaders hit pit road and bolted on four fresh Goodyear’s and had the clear advantage on the lap 186 restart.

Bayne would fall back to 13th in the closing laps but was able to grab his sixth top-15 finish in only 14 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts.

Kyle Busch grabbed his eighth NASCAR Nationwide Series victory followed by Casey Mears, Jason Leffler, Matt Kenseth and Brad Keselowski.

Next weekend, NASCAR’s junior circuit heads out west to Phoenix International Raceway for the second and final time of the 2009 season.

Live coverage of the Able Body Labor 200 begins Saturday, November 14 at 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM Satellite Radio. Qualifying for the 35th event of the season will air live the same day at 12 Noon EST. MRN and Sirius XM Satellite Radio will also provide live updates of time trials.

TREVOR BAYNE QUOTE:
“We ended up pretty decent considering what was going on in the middle of the race. We fell back to 20th at one point. The Aaron’s Outdoor Toytoa just couldn’t get any rear grip all week. We fought it in practice, fought it in qualifying and then in the race. We made some big changes, so it’s something weird. It’s not a mechanical deal. We were running a new body style here. The numbers were really good on it but sometimes the wind tunnel is different than the race track, so we’re going to go back and figure out if it’s the body or what it was. We’ll get it figured out. It’s not a bad finish considering how we had to work all day to get to 13th.”

Event/Date: O’Reilly Challenge/Nov. 7, 2009
Venue: Texas Motor Speedway – Ft. Worth, Texas
Starting Position: 11th
Finishing Position: 13th

WITH ITS CAMO PAINT SCHEME AARON’S PROVES GOOD THINGS ALWAYS COME IN THREE’S

ATLANTA, GA (November 5, 2009) – For the third and final time in 2009, Aaron’s, Inc. of Atlanta, GA (NYSE: AAN), the Aaron’s Outdoors television program and Mossy Oak Brand Camouflage will bring a special camouflage paint scheme to the track. On Saturday Nov. 7, the No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine will be transformed into the Aaron’s Outdoors Mossy Oak Camry for the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) O'Reilly Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway.

NNS rookie sensation Trevor Bayne will pilot a Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota Camry sporting the Aaron’s Outdoors logo and Mossy Oak Brush pattern, following in the footsteps of David Reutimann and Ken Butler III who drove camo-colored Aaron’s Dream Machines earlier this season at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Lowe’s Motor Speedway, respectively.

As part of the promotion, Aaron’s has given away six of nine camouflage replica helmets bearing the signatures of Bayne, Reutimann and Butler. With the final running of the camo design, the final three helmets will be award to fans through a national register-to-win sweepstakes. Fans have the chance to be a part of this final drawing by visiting www.shopaarons.com/camocontest. Registration ends on Nov. 4. An independent judging organization will choose three lucky winners from the thousands of fans who have registered.

Aaron’s has had ownership in the Aaron’s Outdoor television program since 2007 and this campaign will promote the partnership of the Aaron’s Outdoors, Aaron’s motorsports teams and Mossy Oak Brand Camo. It is designed to appeal to avid and casual outdoorsmen and NASCAR fans.

The specialized racecars and helmet sweepstakes will be promoted through a combination of television, radio and print advertising along with a comprehensive Internet program all designed to drive fans to learn more about Aaron’s and Aaron’s Outdoors.

“The first two Aaron’s Outdoors Mossy Oak paint schemes have been very successful,” noted Aaron’s Chief Executive Officer, Robin Loudermilk. “NASCAR fans as well as fans of outdoors sports have really responded to the coming together of two of our biggest marketing platforms. We’re really excited to now bring this campaign from the Southeast into Texas.”

Trevor Bayne was also enthusiastic when discussing the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the camo Aaron’s Dream Machine. “To be a part of a program like this with Aaron’s, Mossy Oak and Aaron’s Outdoors is unbelievable,” Bayne said. “I can’t thank them enough for letting me help promote this great partnership. I look forward to bringing home an excellent finish in the Aaron’s Outdoors Mossy Oak Dream Machine on Saturday.”

“Seeing the Aaron’s Outdoors logo on the racecar with the Mossy Oak pattern is something I would never have dreamed of,” said Jarrod Brannen, host of Aaron’s Outdoors. “Aaron’s involvement has taken this show to a completely new level and it makes me proud to be associated with a corporation of this caliber.”

About Aaron’s, Inc.
Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), the nation’s leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of residential and office furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, has more than 1,615 Company-operated and franchised stores in 48 states and Canada. Founded in 1955 by entrepreneur R. Charles Loudermilk, Sr. and headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron’s has been publicly traded since 1982.

About Aaron’s Outdoors Television
Aaron’s Outdoors TV is featured on CSS and the Pursuit Channel with host, Jarrod Brannen. Jarrod, along with his wife and five children, bring viewers an up close and personal look to some of North America's best game and fishing opportunities. By visiting their website, www.aaronsoutdoorstv.com, you can learn more about the show and how the Brannen Family continues to make time for traditions.

About Mossy Oak Brand Camo
Mossy Oak/Haas Outdoors Inc., headquartered in West Point, Miss., was established in 1986 and is home of Mossy Oak (www.mossyoak.com). Mossy Oak specializes in developing and marketing modern camouflage designs for hunters and outdoorsmen. Mossy Oak patterns can be found on a multitude of products worldwide. Haas Outdoors Inc. is the outdoor industry leader in modern camouflage design, international licensing and marketing. Haas Outdoors Inc. markets its services and products under widely recognized brands including: Mossy Oak, BioLogic, Mossy Oak Productions, Mossy Oak Interactive, LLC, Nativ Nursery and Mossy Oak Properties.

Trevor Bayne Texas2 Preview

Event/Date: O’Reilly Challenge – Nov. 7, 2009

Venue: Texas Motor Speedway – Fort Worth, Texas

TREVOR BAYNE QUOTE:

You tested the new Nationwide car Monday at Talladega what were your thoughts?

“I thought the car drove pretty well. It was really stable in the draft and three cars good run pretty well together. I think the main problem is the visibility. It’s really hard to see past the car in front of you because the wing on the back. We tried to reduce the wing size a little but that made the handling of the car a little off. I think overall it was a pretty successful test.”

What are your thoughts about racing at Texas for the first time?

“I know that Texas Motor Speedway is a super fast race track. I have heard that it takes longer for the high groove to come in at Texas then it does at Charlotte. I plan to talk to a few people before I get to the race track so I can kind of get an idea of what to expect. Friday’s practice sessions are going to be super important for me. Hopefully, I will be able to bring home a solid top-10 finish.

NOTES

· This week’s No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota at Texas Motor Speedway … Trevor Bayne will pilot Chassis No. 052 from the Michael Waltrip Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Most recently, David Reutimann drove this race car to a 20^th-place finish at Lowe’s Motor Speedway a few weeks ago. Additionally, Bayne drove this Aaron’s Dream Machine to a 28^th-place finish in July at Nashville and to a 26^th-place finish in August at Iowa.

· Testing, Testing, Testing … Bayne along with seven other drivers tested the new NASCAR Nationwide car at Talladega Superspeedway on Monday, Nov. 2. The group started the day with single-car runs and later moved into drafting. Following its debut next summer at Daytona, the Nationwide Series new car also will compete in points races at Michigan in August, at Richmond in September and at Charlotte in October. Full integration for the new car into the series is targeted for 2011.

· Texas Debut … Bayne will make his first start at TMS Saturday afternoon. This will only be his sixth start on a track 1.5-miles or bigger.

· 14^th Nationwide Series Start … Bayne will make his 14^th-career NNS start this weekend at TMS. In 13 previous starts, he boasts two top-10 and five top-15 finishes, an eighth-place starting coupled with an 18.7 finishing average. He has completed 95.1 percent (2,664 of 2,801) of the laps contested.

· After 32 … Over the season’s first 32 races, the No. 99 team has notched nine top-10 and 16 top-15 finishes. The MWR team sits 17^th in the owners’ point standings. They are 50 points behind the No. 1 entry in 16^th and only 98 points out of the top 15.

· In-Race Reporter … This weekend Bayne will be ESPN’s in-race reporter for the O’Reilly Challenge. Bayne will give his strategies, insight and goals for the race while he navigates the No. 99 machine around Texas Motor Speedway.

· Online with the Times … To keep up with the latest news and information about Bayne visit his official website at www.trevorbayne.com. For minute-to-minute info about Bayne and the rest of the MWR crew, check out www.twitter.com/aaronssports.

· Race Broadcast Information … The O’Reilly Challenge will be televised live on ESPN2 on Saturday, November 7 beginning at 12 noon EST. The race will also be broadcast on PRN and Sirius XM Satellite Radio. Qualifying for the 33rd event of the 2009 NNS season will air Friday, November 6 beginning at 6:30 p.m. EST on ESPN2. PRN and Sirius XM Satellite Radio will also broadcast live updates of time trials.