Hendrick Motorsports Endorses Victor Reinz(R) Gaskets, Perfect Circle(R) Rings

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Hendrick Motorsports, which
fields some of the hottest teams in NASCAR racing today, has endorsed Dana
Corporation's Victor Reinz(R) gaskets and Perfect Circle(R) piston rings.
    Hendrick's cars and drivers -- Jeff Gordon (#24), Terry Labonte (#5), and
Ricky Craven (#50), plus Jack Sprague (#24) -- dominate NASCAR Winston Cup
stock car and Craftsman truck racing, and stand a good chance of racking up
yet another championship season.  One of the keys to their winning ways is
advanced, top quality piston rings and gaskets, according to Randy Dorton,
head of engine development for Hendrick.
    "Running full bore with 700+ horsepower at 9,000 rpm for 500 miles demands
gaskets and piston rings that perform flawlessly, and we have found Victor
Reinz gaskets and Perfect Circle rings really do the job for us," Dorton said.
    The Hendrick team's endorsement of the Dana products involves technical
cooperation between Hendrick engine developers and Perfect Circle and Victor
Reinz engineers, in addition to other considerations.  Hendrick drivers Jeff
Gordon and Terry Labonte have won the NASCAR Winston Cup championship for the
past three years in a row, driving Chevrolet Monte Carlos.  Jack Sprague is
the defending champion in NASCAR's Craftsman truck series.
    "These are fine products that never let us down and help us keep our team
highly competitive.  It is a pleasure to endorse Victor Reinz and Perfect
Circle gaskets and rings," Dorton said.
    Running 5.7-liter (358 cubic inch) engines at a 12:1 compression ratio,
Hendrick engine builders use Victor Reinz Solicor(R) head gaskets, intake
gaskets and exhaust gaskets, as well as Victor Reinz Performaseal(R) timing
cover, differential and water pump gaskets, and special, thermostat and valve
cover gaskets.  They use Perfect Circle ring packs with molybdenum-filled
nodular iron top rings, gray iron second rings, and three-piece oil rings with
chrome-plated rails.
    "Whether they are running full-throttle in a NASCAR stock car or in a
Dodge Viper at Le Mans, these Dana gaskets and piston rings are winners.  It
is a real honor to have a winning team such as Hendrick Motorsports endorse
our products," said Tom Dattilo, Dana's vice president for sealing products
and distribution.
    Perfect Circle and Victor Reinz are part of Dana Engine Components, one of
seven Dana global strategic business units.  Dana Engine Components provides
advanced, synergistic, total systems solutions to engine builders and fluid
systems parts design and sourcing, worldwide.  Dana Engine Components combines
the strength and capabilities of Victor Reinz(R) gaskets and sealing products,
Perfect Circle(R) power cylinder and heavy duty camshafts, Fluid Systems
products, and Plumley powertrain components.
    One of the world's largest independent suppliers to vehicular, off-
highway, and industrial manufacturers and their related aftermarkets, Dana
Corporation produces components used on more than 95 percent of the world's
650 million motor vehicles.  Founded in 1904 and based in Toledo, Ohio, the
company operates 270 major facilities in 33 countries and employs more than
79,000 people.  The company had pro forma sales of $11.9 billion in 1997.
Dana's Internet address is http://www.dana.com

SOURCE Dana Corporation

Web Site: http://www.dana.com