Crown Royal Presents the Russ Friedman 400

Crown Royal(R) Whisky Provides Purple Heart Recipient Stage to Honor Fellow
Soldiers

RICHMOND, Va., April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- This weekend Russ Friedman
will roll into Richmond International Raceway as an everyday race fan -- and
leave a hero. As the grand-prize winner of the Crown Royal "Your Name Here"
contest, Friedman was awarded naming rights to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
race on Saturday, May 2. The race is officially titled "Crown Royal Presents
The Russ Friedman 400." However, when he accepted the prize during an
elaborate ceremony earlier this year at Daytona International Speedway, the
former Marine made it clear it would only be right if his fellow soldiers went
along for the ride.

In response, the makers of Crown Royal Canadian Whisky, along with the Jamie
McMurray Foundation have been working to ensure Friedman's race honors all the
brave soldiers who serve our country. Throughout the last few weeks, The Crown
Royal Company and McMurray -- with Friedman's input -- have provided military
personnel around the country with tickets to races, selected soldiers to serve
as honorary pit crew members and made available giant "Thank you" cards for
fans to sign and show their support for members of the military. One hundred
NASCAR Day pins have been purchased for soldiers, the proceeds of which
benefit the NASCAR Foundation and its associated charities. In addition, The
Crown Royal Company and McMurray have created a replica racecar hood with the
official Crown Royal Presents The Russ Friedman 400 race logo for all the Cup
Series drivers to sign prior to the race this weekend. After the race in
Richmond, the cards, hood and pins will be sent to soldiers serving overseas
on behalf of a grateful NASCAR nation.

"When I found out in Daytona that I was the winner, I knew I wanted to use the
race to celebrate all those individuals who protect our country every day,"
said Friedman. "I appreciate how Crown Royal and Jamie (McMurray) have
supported my efforts to encourage troops. I just hope I can do my part to make
my fellow soldiers proud this weekend in Richmond."

Friedman, a Huntington Station, N.Y., native was selected from a pool of
nearly 5,000 entrants in the Crown Royal "Your Name Here" contest. His
winning entry referenced his experience in Iraq receiving two Purple Hearts.
Friedman enlisted in the Marines in 2001 and served two tours in Iraq, in 2003
and then again in 2004 when he was injured. In honor of Russ Friedman and in
celebration of the race in Richmond, Governor Timothy M. Kaine of Virginia has
issued a proclamation declaring the month of May 2009Crown Royal 400 Month,
urging all citizens to keep our soldiers in their prayers and thank them for
their service to our country.

"We are extremely proud to have a genuine hero in Russ Friedman to represent
the Crown Royal brand and the character and core values that we strive to
celebrate," said Rob Mason, senior brand manager, Crown Royal. "The
selflessness he displayed overseas, as well as during these last few months
paying tribute to his fellow soldiers is outstanding. This weekend, millions
of NASCAR fans and military personnel will have the chance to get to know the
true king we have grown to admire when they tune-in to and attend his race."

Friedman will receive the royal treatment throughout the weekend. His name
will be incorporated into the race broadcast and has been included on all the
race tickets and merchandise. Some of his duties include serving as Grand
Marshal, participating in pace-car laps, watching the race from the No. 26 pit
box and delivering the trophy - emblazoned with his name - to the race winner
in Victory Lane. Friedman will be joined by his fiancee April Willmott and
several other close friends and family members.

"Crown Royal's unique promotion has changed the face of professional sports by
allowing a fan to have his name on the event," said Doug Fritz, President of
Richmond International Raceway. "Richmond International Raceway is proud of
the efforts Crown Royal and Russ [Friedman] are making to honor our troops.
We appreciate everything our troops are doing for our Country and look forward
to dedicating this event to them and their families."

Prior to the race at Richmond International Raceway, America's Premier Short
Track, McMurray and Friedman will make a pit stop at McGuire Veterans Hospital
to meet soldiers and sign autographs. This is one of several visits with
military personnel McMurray has made leading up to the Crown Royal The Russ
Friedman 400 to show his support for soldiers and their families.

"It has been an honor to meet Russ and other military personnel at Walter Reed
Army Medical Center and the races on the road to Richmond," said McMurray.
"They all serve bravely, and I'm glad for the opportunity to give something
back to them. I hope to get the No. 26 car in Victory Lane this weekend and
have them celebrate with us in Richmond and around NASCAR nation."

The Crown Royal Company is also using its sponsorship of the Richmond Sprint
Cup Series race to remind adult consumers to "Be a Champion. Drink
Responsibly." This message encourages race fans and consumers across the
country to always make responsible decisions when drinking, such as assigning
a designated driver.

The Crown Royal Company is the primary sponsor of the No. 26 Roush Racing Ford
Fusion driven by Jamie McMurray, and in its fifth year of being a title
sponsor of Richmond International Raceway NASCAR Sprint Car race in May.

About Crown Royal Canadian Whisky
Crown Royal Canadian whisky is the number one selling Canadian whisky brand 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. For the fourth consecutive year, the Crown Royal
Company is the primary sponsor of the No. 26 Roush Fenway Ford Fusion driven
by Jamie McMurray. For more information visit www.crownroyal.com.

It's about quality, not quantity.

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.

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. For our global
resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best
practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere, responsibly.

About Richmond International Raceway:
Richmond International Raceway, known as America's Premier Short Track, offers
great night racing action and a commitment to the fan experience. One of the
most popular facilities among drivers and fans in all of motorsports, Richmond
International Raceway annually hosts all of its major events, two NASCAR
Doubleheader weekends featuring the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR
Nationwide Series and an open-wheel racing weekend featuring the IndyCar
Series, under the lights on a 3/4-mile D-Shaped oval. The unique layout
traditionally produces exciting side-by-side racing, yet drivers reach high
enough speeds for a superspeedway feel. Combined with first-class amenities
and a focus on the fans, guests at Richmond International Raceway can expect
to experience what "Racing Perfection" truly is. For tickets to events at
Richmond International Raceway, call 866-455-RACE or visit www.rir.com online.

About Roush Fenway Racing
Roush Fenway Racing operates 13 full-time motorsports teams, five in NASCAR
Sprint Cup 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; three in the Craftsman
Truck Series with Darnell, Braun, Kvapil, Bobby East and John Wes Townley; and
one in the ARCA RE/MAX Series with Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. For more information
on any of the Roush Fenway Racing teams, log onto www.RoushFenway.com. For
sponsorship inquiries, please contact Robin Johnson at 704.720.4645.

Contact: Erica J. Johnson Nicole Anastasi Aimee Turner
Diageo Taylor Richmond Int. Raceway
(917) 330-6740 (704) 796-9992 (804) 228-7645

SOURCE Diageo

Erica J. Johnson of Diageo, +1-917-330-6740; or Nicole Anastasi of Taylor,
+1-704-796-9992; or Aimee Turner of Richmond Int. Raceway, +1-804-228-7645