Jasper #77 news release

(Courtesy PR Newswire -- 201-946-5462)

Jasper Engines/Federal-Mogul Profile: Morgan Shepherd ----------------------------------------------------- DETROIT, June 12/PRNewswire/ -- One of the most respected drivers in NASCAR has joined one of the most respected manufacturers of performance engine, fuel system and chassis components in pursuit of victory on the Winston Cup circuit, Morgan Shepherd, 21-year driving veteran, will drive the .77 Jasper/Federal-Mogul Motorsports Ford Thunderbird for the remainder of the 1997 Winston Cup season. Known as an extremely capable driver who gathers a lot of points in a season, Shepherd has finished in the top ten in the Winston Cup standings three times in the past six seasons. He has more than 445 Winston Cup starts, 4 wins, 7 poles, 63 top-five and 167 top-ten finishes and $7.5 million in winnings. Shepherd won the 1980 NASCAR National Sportsman (now Busch Grand National) series title. "Morgan had a very successful 1996, season finishing in the top ten four times and placing 19th in the overall standings at the end of the season," said Doug Bawel, owner of the Jasper Engines/Federal-Mogul race team. "He brings with him a wealth of racing experience. We're looking for great things from Morgan as we combine the horsepower of Jasper and the technical and product support of Federal-Mogul's engine and chassis parts." In 12 starts this season with Richard Jackson's Crusin' America Pontiac, Shepherd scored three top-10 finishes, including a third in the Primestar 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway and a ninth-place finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway's Coca-Cola 600. He finished on the lead lap in five out of his last 10 events and was 22nd in NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver points heading into the Miller 400 in Michigan. The 56-year-old Shepherd and his wife, Cindy, reside with their children in Conover, North Carolina.

CONTACT: Ann Skrycki-Mohler of Federal-Mogul Corporation, 810-354-9838, or Drew Shippy of The Urda Company, 330-666-3450, or e-mail, prdivision@urdacompany.com

Because e-mail can be altered electronically, the integrity of this communication cannot be guaranteed.