The King of NASCAR, Richard Petty, showcases a Hot Wheels Racing(r) Luxury Rides, a scaled version of his motor coach, kicking off the new product line that represents "home away from home" for NASCAR drivers. And, on specially marked packages, fans will have a chance to phone-in-to-win a trip to the 2003 Pepsi 400 to meet Richard Petty and 2002 NASCAR Rookie of the Year Ryan Newman.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- March 3, 2003 -- The flag is up for the 2003 NASCAR® season as the teams and drivers begin the grueling, yearlong trek from city to city. While the drivers pilot high-tech racing machines on the track, their rides on the road are motor coaches of pure luxury.

Vehicles in the Luxury Rides collection from Hot Wheels® Racing depict highly decorated motor coaches representing some of today's most well known NASCAR drivers. These motor coaches represent "home away from home" for the drivers, where they can relax at the track between qualifiers and races. Each of the vehicles is styled with its team's vibrant racing colors, numbers and logos, and comes with a collectible trading card featuring the driver posing inside his real-life motor coach, providing a rare glimpse inside life on the NASCAR circuit.

Beginning in March, Hot Wheels® fans will have the chance to win the ultimate NASCAR experience in a phone-in-to-win promotion. One lucky fan will win a trip for four to the 2003 Pepsi 400® in Daytona, July 4 weekend, where they'll have access to their own motor coach in the infield at Daytona International Speedway®, just like their driving heroes. In addition, the winner will meet Ryan Newman, 2002 NASCAR Rookie of the Year, and racing legend Richard Petty. The winner and friends also can enjoy a pre-race party in the Hot Wheels® Racing motor coach in the infield, and will receive tickets to the July 5 race.

The promotion begins March 1, 2003, and runs through May 17, 2003. Details are inside specially-marked packages of Hot Wheels® Racing Luxury Rides model cars available at participating retailers.

The Hot Wheels® Racing Luxury Rides, in stores now, include the following:

• Ryan Newman (ALLTEL)
• Richard Petty
• John Andretti (Cheerios)
• Johnny Benson (Valvoline)
• Jeff Burton (Citgo)
• Kurt Busch (Sharpie)
• Ricky Craven (Tide)
• Matt Kenseth (DEWALT)
• Mark Martin (Pfizer)
• Kyle Petty (Georgia-Pacific)
• Scott Riggs (Nesquik)
• Ricky Rudd (Ford Motorcraft)
• Mike Skinner (Kodak)

Hot Wheels Racing® will support the Luxury Rides with a touring, life-size motor coach of its own. The Hot Wheels® Racing motor coach will be open for visitors at five NASCAR races in February and March -- Daytona, Rockingham, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Darlington. Guests can tour the motor coach, view Hot Wheels® cars and memorabilia, and race their Hot Wheels® cars against other guests on a specially designed gravity track.

About the Hot Wheels® brand

Hot Wheels® cars revolutionized boys' toys in 1968 with an original line of super-fast, customized cars built for speed, power and performance, wrapped in attitude. Now, 35 years later, Hot Wheels® is a global lifestyle brand that represents the coolest cars imaginable in scales from miniature to full-size. In addition to leading the way with innovative vehicles, playsets and tracks, Hot Wheels® cars are also popular collectibles for adults. For the latest information on Hot Wheels® cars, cruise over to www.hotwheels.com.

Mattel, Inc. is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of family products. With headquarters in El Segundo, California, Mattel has offices and facilities in 36 countries and sells its products in more than 150 nations around the world. For more information on Mattel products, please log on to our Web site at www.mattel.com.

HOT WHEELS® and associated trademarks are owned by Mattel, Inc.