Grant America Program Racing

MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING ANNOUNCES GRANT AMERICA PROGRAM HAS JOINED THE SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM BETWEEN MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING’S SPRINT CUP #00 TEAM AND MICROSOFT

June 18, 2008 - Michael Waltrip Racing is pleased to announce that Grant America Program has become a sponsor of NASCAR Sprint Cup No. 00 Team, driven by Michael McDowell. Grant America Program joined as a sponsor under the Microsoft Small Business Sponsorship program that commenced on May 21, 2008.

“We’re ecstatic that Grant America Program is participating in this tremendous sponsorship program,” said Matt Wray, Director of Sales for Michael Waltrip Racing. Our race team believes in the power of small business, and owes sincere thanks to Grant America Program and Microsoft for joining forces in this historic sponsorship.”

According to Eric Ligman, Microsoft U.S. senior manager of small business community engagement, "This sponsorship, which showcases Microsoft Small Business as well as our Microsoft Small Business Specialist Partners, will not only raise more awareness of the professional solutions, services and assistance available to small businesses everywhere from Microsoft and its partners, but will provide an exciting opportunity for our Microsoft Small Business Specialist Partners to tap into a marketing venue not seen as financially viable before. This is a very exciting opportunity to work with all of our Microsoft Small Business Specialist Partners and Michael Waltrip Racing to really drive some awareness around the Microsoft Small Business Specialist Community and Microsoft small business solutions."

RainMakers International of Santa Monica, CA was instrumental in enabling this sponsorship opportunity come to fruition between Microsoft and Michael Waltrip Racing.

“We’re thrilled in helping Grant America Program achieve its race sponsorship goal in using the Microsoft Small Business Specialist Platform,” added Michael Malina, National Sales Director for RainMakers International. “We welcome Grant America Program to our sponsorship family.”

About Michael Waltrip Racing

Over a decade ago, Michael Waltrip established a modest family-owned NASCAR Nationwide Series team in Sherrills Ford, N.C., called Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR). In 2007 when TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) entered competition in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series, Waltrip established a strong partnership with Toyota to field three full-time Camrys at the pinnacle of the sport while maintaining the integrity of his championship caliber Nationwide team. In the midst of building three NASCAR Sprint Cup teams, Waltrip commenced the construction of a 140,000 sq. ft shop in which all four teams are housed today.