The Latest News: This Page was Last Updated on 5/24/02 @ 10:06 AM EST
Looney Tunes Rematch cars rolled out (NASCAR.com)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR drivers and Looney Tunes characters invaded the downtown area on Thursday afternoon. With executives from NASCAR, Warner Bros., Action Performance Inc. and the mayor of Charlotte looking on, the unveiling of this year's paint schemes and pairings for the Monte Carlo 400 with Looney Tunes Rematch at Richmond International Raceway in September took place.
In addition to Bugs Bunny and the gang, Noel Blanc, the voice behind the characters, was also there.
As might have been expected, Blanc jumped from character to character during his remarks. During a live webcast interview on NASCAR.com, he stuttered through Porky Pig and salivated like Sylvester the Cat before talking about the promotion. Read More
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Chevrolet and Action Performance Announce
Monte Carlo 400 With The Looney Tunes - The Rematch!
At Richmond International Raceway
Partners Including America Online, NASCAR, NASCAR.com, TNT and Warner Bros. Online Get Set to Support Program
Charlotte, NC, May 23, 2002 - Ladies and Gentleman, start your engines! Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Chevrolet, Richmond International Raceway and Action Performance Companies, Inc. announced today that the legendary Looney Tunes characters will return to the world of NASCAR Winston Cup September 7th, 2002, when they re-unite in the fast lane with their Team Monte Carlo drivers for the ultimate racing showdown, the Monte Carlo 400 With The Looney Tunes - The Rematch! at Richmond International Raceway in Virginia.The announcement, which was made at a special event this afternoon in Charlotte, NC (the site of this weekend's NASCAR race), kicked off Food Lion Speed Street festivities and featured NASCAR drivers Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Green, Terry Labonte, Jimmie Johnson, Mike Skinner, Joe Nemechek and Bobby Hamilton, as well as Warner Bros.' beloved Looney Tunes characters.
Today's event unveiled five of the nine stunning Looney Tunes-branded Chevrolet Monte Carlos, in addition to the event pace car, which will be part of the Richmond race this September. Each car has a unique design capturing the spirit of each driver and their Looney Tunes character teammate in bold paint schemes.
Building on the success of last year's event, the program will expand in 2002 as nine Looney Tunes-themed Monte Carlos take to the track. Additionally, this year's program expands to include two Looney Tunes-themed cars going head-to-head in the NASCAR Busch Series race on Friday, September 6th.
The irreverent Looney Tunes characters first partnered with NASCAR at Richmond International Raceway in 2001, when seven NASCAR teams "swapped paint" and featured Looney Tunes graphics on their Chevrolet Monte Carlos. Super star drivers such as Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick thrilled fans on the track and off. Gordon took the pole position in the Bugs Bunny-emblazoned car and Harvick bumped and grinded his Taz-themed car into a second place finish.
Not taking a trip to the winner's circle during the 2001 race was tough for perennial winners Bugs Bunny and Jeff Gordon. This year, Bugs and the rest of his Looney Tunes pals are taking off the gloves, rolling up their sleeves, and tapping into their portfolio of ACME devices to take the ultimate prize. And this time, no more "mister nice guys." It's all or nothing in 2002 when each character returns to the track with their distinguished counterpart to claim their long-awaited victory in one of the most exciting promotional experiences in NASCAR history.
For this year's Winston Cup race, some of NASCAR's best drivers will once again team up with legendary Looney Tunes characters. The participating drivers and their respective Looney Tunes partners for the Monte Carlo 400 With The Looney Tunes - The Rematch! include:
Saturday, September 7, 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Race
#24-Jeff Gordon, Bugs Bunny
#29-Kevin Harvick, Tasmanian Devil
#30-Jeff Green, Daffy Duck
#55-Bobby Hamilton, Marvin The Martian and K9
#31-Robby Gordon, Pepe Le Pew
#4-Mike Skinner, Yosemite Sam
#5-Terry Labonte, Road Runner
#48-Jimmie Johnson, Tweety & Sylvester
#25-Joe Nemechek, Speedy Gonzales
What were the schemes last year [2001] at Richmond?
#1-Steve Park, Sylvester and Tweety
#5-Terry Labonte, Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner
#24-Jeff Gordon, Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd
#29-Kevin Harvick, Tasmanian Devil (Taz)
#30-Jeff Green, Daffy Duck
#31-Mike Skinner, Yosemite Sam
#55-Bobby Hamilton, Marvin the Martian and his space dog, K-9
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Looney Tunes Rematch Photos- CIA Photo Stock
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