'Batman', 'Herbie' latest movies to hit die-cast

NASCAR'S continuing relationship with the entertainment industry is running wide open this year.

Just this past weekend, for the first time in history, a motion picture served as the title sponsor for a NASCAR Nextel Cup race in the Batman Begins 400 at Michigan Speedway.

As part of the special promotion, the No. 6 Roush Racing Ford piloted by the legendary Mark Martin carried a special Batman Begins paint job in the 200-lap event. Martin finished third behind teammate Greg Biffle.

	SUPERSTORE •   New/special paint schemes!

Coincidently, a previous Batman movie, Batman Forever, was the first motion picture ever promoted via a special NASCAR paint scheme. Former series champion Bill Elliott raced the much-heralded Thunderbat at Charlotte in 1995.

Martin's fellow Roush Racing driver, Ricky Craven, drove a Batman Begins scheme during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event on June 18.

"It's an honor to be participating in the Batman Begins program this season, especially at Michigan, which I consider our home track," said team owner Jack Roush. "We had a great time with Greg's victory here last year with The Flash paint scheme on his car.

To commemorate the promotion, both Team Caliber and Mattel's Hot Wheels Brand will replicate Martin's Batman Begins car in die-cast. Team Caliber is also offering a broad selection of apparel and other program-related merchandise.

The world's most famous Volkswagen Beetle tackles the world of big league stock car racing in the just-released Disney flick, Herbie: Fully Loaded.

Several scenes for the movie-which stars Lindsay Lohan and Matt Dillon-were filmed at last September's Nextel Cup race at California Speedway.

NASCAR drivers Dale Jarrett and Scott Riggs are part of an initiative designed to draw attention to the film through a pair of special "Herbie No. 53" paint schemes-both inspired by the look of the car that has graced the big screen in four other film productions.

Jarrett's No. 88 UPS Ford Taurus carried the colors of the Love Bug at Richmond in May and again at Sonoma.

"This is a great story and something that the entire family can enjoy," Jarrett said. "I had the opportunity to do a small part in the film and had a great time with the crew and cast members that were in the scene. This is a tremendous opportunity for a lot of drivers, teams and sponsors that are involved but it's an even greater opportunity for NASCAR because it puts our sport center stage on the big screen."

Riggs, a sophomore in NASCAR's top touring series, will introduce Herbie to the most famous superspeedway in NASCAR - Daytona International Speedway - at the Pepsi 400 on July 2. Riggs' No. 10 Valvoline/Herbie: Fully Loaded Chevrolet also will appear this fall during the 500-mile NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway on Nov. 13.

Action Performance Companies is producing die-cast replica versions of both the No. 88 and No. 10 Herbie: Fully Loaded themed race cars.

"This summer, Herbie will be out to prove that a free-wheeling 'Love Bug' can make it in NASCAR," said Fred Wagenhals, Action Performance's chairman, president and CEO. "For most NASCAR fans, the idea that they can get behind the wheel and race along side their heroes is fuel for the imagination and part of the sport's appeal. Herbie: Fully Loaded will show all the comedy and adventure that comes when one person - and one unique Volkswagen bug -- steers toward a NASCAR dream. This program should be great fun for race fans and NASCAR die-cast collectors."

This has been a banner year for movie-themed race cars in NASCAR. Kasey Kahne carried a graphics package advertising the recent re-make of "The Longest Yard" on his No. 9 Dodge at Talladega in April.

"I thought 'The Longest Yard' was pretty funny," Kahne said after a private screening for him and his Evernham Motorsports teammates. "Adam Sandler was good and very funny. It was a good football movie. I really liked it. I liked the whole thing. I didn't see the original movie, so this is all new to me. I thought it was great. The way the made the movie was pretty cool. They had a lot of different actors, like Chris Rock and Burt Reynolds, singers like Nelly and a lot more."

Of course, Joe Gibbs Racing's Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte promoted the movie "Madagascar" during May race weeks at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Gordon has had the best performance of any movie-themed effort this year, piloting the Star Wars/Pepsi car to victory at Talladega. Both Jarrett and Robert Yates Racing teammate Elliott Sadler ran Star Wars graphics at Phoenix.

All are available as die-cast replicas from Action.