Jamie McMurray Moonlights as Cab Driver to Give Indianapolis Race Fans Rides Home

Jamie McMurray Moonlights as Cab Driver to Give Indianapolis Race Fans Rides
Home
The Makers of Crown Royal Canadian whisky and NASCAR Driver Hit the Streets
with 'Safe Rides Home' program to Stress the Importance of Responsible
Drinking

INDIANAPOLIS, July 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Before Jamie McMurray hits
the backstretch at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he will grab the wheel of a
taxi for the makers of Crown Royal Canadian whisky to ensure adults have a
safe ride home from Indianapolis-area hot spots on Thursday, July 24.
The Crown Royal "Safe Rides Home" designated-driver program provides adult
consumers free, safe rides home via a fleet of eight replica purple and gold
No. 26 Ford Fusion cars. McMurray will kickoff the program from the corner of
Jackson Place and South Meridian on Thursday, July 24, with safe rides home
made available from 6 - 11 p.m. Rides also will be offered on Friday, July 25
at the corner of Broad Ripple Avenue and Guilford Street from 10 p.m. - 1 a.m.
"I really enjoy being a part of the 'Safe Rides Home' program each year.
When passengers open the taxi door and see me behind the wheel they usually
look very surprised," said McMurray. "Some think I'll speed off down the
street, but once they arrive home safely they always thank Crown Royal for the
entire experience."
This marks the fourth year the fleet will take to the streets of
Indianapolis prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend. During that
span, the "Safe Rides Home" program has provided residents with hundreds of
free rides totaling more than approximately 4,500 miles and $10,000 in taxi
fees. Throughout the years, Indianapolis residents and bar owners have
commended Crown Royal for offering this service.
"With its legendary motor sports history, Indianapolis provides the
perfect backdrop for the Crown Royal team to showcase its commitment to the
sport and its fans," said David Tapscott, brand director, Crown Royal. "This
program also is a great way for us to remind adult consumers that when they
enjoy our products they should do so responsibly and always arrange for a safe
ride home."
The makers of Crown Royal Canadian whisky, a subsidiary of Diageo plc
(NYSE: DEO) continue to use this program as a platform to advance its "Be a
Champion. Drink Responsibly." message and initiatives, which are designed to
reinforce the importance of responsible drinking and assigning a designated
driver.
Consumers can sign up to receive a free safe ride home at special Crown
Royal No. 26 taxi stands. Eligible residents must be 21 or over and live
within a 20-mile radius of the signup location. There is a four-passenger
limit per car.
The makers of Crown Royal Canadian whisky are the primary sponsors of the
No. 26 Roush Racing Ford Fusion driven by Jamie McMurray. This includes
sponsoring the primary paint scheme of the No. 26 car at 27 races during the
2008 season, including this weekend's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.
About Crown Royal Canadian Whisky
Crown Royal Canadian whisky is the number one selling Canadian Whisky in
the US by value and has a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste.
Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI
and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal Canadian whisky's
smooth, elegant style reflects its aristocratic origins and is considered the
epitome of Canadian whisky. In addition to its motorsports sponsorships, the
brand also sponsors the Crown Royal American Turf stakes race at Churchill
Downs and a number of other major regional and national events. For more
information on the Crown Royal brand, visit www.crownroyal.com.
About Diageo
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with
an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and
beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B,
Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and
Sterling Vineyards wines.
Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the
world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the
London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people,
brands and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere, responsibly.
About Roush Fenway Racing
Roush Fenway Racing is NASCAR's largest team operating 13 motorsports
teams. Five in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with drivers Matt Kenseth, Jamie
McMurray, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards and David Ragan; four in the Nationwide
Series with Kenseth, Biffle, Edwards, McMurray, Ragan, Erik Darnell and Colin
Braun; and three in the Craftsman Truck Series with Darnell, Braun and Joey
Clanton; and one in the ARCA RE/MAX Series with Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
Contacts: Erica J. Johnson Nicole Anastasi
Diageo Taylor PR
917.330.6740 704.796.9992
Erica.johnson@diageo.com nanastasi@taylorpr.com

SOURCE Diageo

Erica J. Johnson, Diageo, +1-917-330-6740, Erica.johnson@diageo.com; Nicole
Anastasi, Taylor PR, +1-704-796-9992, nanastasi@taylorpr.com, for Diageo