Vickers signs deal with Garnier Fructis

NEW YORK -- Garnier Fructis and Hendrick Motorsports today announced a multi-year agreement featuring Garnier Fructis as a major associate sponsor of the No. 25 Chevrolets driven by Brian Vickers in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. The deal marks the first foray into motorsports by Garnier Fructis, the wildly popular unisex haircare brand owned by L'Oreal USA.

Brian Vickers will run a Garnier Fructis paint scheme at Indianapolis and Texas.

In addition to the associate-sponsorship on the No. 25 GMAC / ditech.com Chevrolets in 2005, the union will be highlighted when Vickers and the No. 25 car don the trademark bright green Garnier Fructis color scheme in two races -- April 17 at Texas Motor Speedway and Aug. 7 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"NASCAR has enormous universal appeal," says Karen Fondu, president, Maybelline New York-Garnier. "NASCAR is more than a sport; it's a lifestyle. Like Garnier Fructis, NASCAR is dynamic, spirited and all about high performance."

"The energy and excitement of NASCAR connects Garnier Fructis to over 75 million fans, both men and women," says Cheryl Vitali, senior vice president, marketing, Maybelline New York-Garnier. "We couldn't be more thrilled about our partnership with Hendrick Motorsports and Brian Vickers, and hope to make many more NASCAR fans Garnier Fructis fans."

Under the associate sponsorship agreement, Brian Vickers will serve as a spokesperson for Garnier Fructis haircare and styling products. His likeness will be featured in print advertising, at point-of-purchase and in-store displays, and throughout public relations campaigns and Internet initiatives.

"Hendrick Motorsports is proud to be associated with the folks at Garnier as they embark upon their first season," said team owner Rick Hendrick. "Haircare products represent a new and unconventional sponsorship category for a NASCAR team, which is certainly a positive thing for everyone in our sport. We're happy to welcome Garnier to the family and look forward to many years of success."

"I'm excited to be working with Garnier Fructis," notes Vickers. "Since I began racing, I hoped the title of 'race car driver' was in my future. But haircare model? Now that's unexpected. It's great to represent such a cool, fun brand."

As the Nextel Cup Series' youngest competitor in 2004, Vickers, 21, earned two Bud Poles and four top-10 finishes during his rookie campaign. He also won the Busch Series championship in 2003.