Don Prudhomme Racing and Okuma America Form Associate Sponsorship and Technology Partnership


CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - February 26, 2008 - Okuma America Corporation, a world leader in the development of machine tool technology and Computer Numeric Controls (CNC), has entered into a manufacturing and technology partnership agreement with Don Prudhomme "The Snake" Racing for their NHRA top fuel drag racing team. The two-year associate sponsorship deal through the 2009 season will give Okuma further exposure as the "Official Machine Tool Supplier" for Snake racing and provide Don Prudhomme Racing the CNC machine technology it needs to be even more competitive.

"Our success with Bill Miller Engineering, Don Schumacher Racing, Richard Childress Racing and Competition Cams have helped certainly helped us show Don Prudhomme that we are interested in helping the Snake Racing Team both on and off the track," said Okuma America Corporation President and COO, Larry Schwartz. "It's an opportunity to become an associate sponsor with another world-class organization and continue the momentum we have providing quality CNC machine tools to the high performance racing industry."

After realizing their first win in only the second race of the 2008 POWERade Drag Racing Series season, Okuma couldn't be more pleased with the partnership agreement. Larry Dixon drove The U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company/Okuma top fuel dragster to victory lane at the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals at the Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix on February 24, 2008, only one week after unveiling the new car and sponsorship in Pomona, California.

"We are very pleased to begin a new, successful relationship with everyone at Okuma," said Prudhomme. "Our team is always striving to find ways that we can improve our performance and Okuma is helping us realize that goal. We are excited about this new partnership and I look forward to Okuma playing a key role in our success for years to come."

In addition to Okuma machines being used in the Don Prudhomme Racing shop in Brownsburg, Ind., Okuma identification will appear on all Don Prudhomme Racing race vehicles, transporters and team shirts.

For more information on Okuma or Don Prudhomme Racing, please visit www.Okuma.com or www.snakeracing.com.

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