Mar 18, 2009 10:00 ET

New “Mobil 1 The Grid” Television Series Takes Fans behind the Scenes of World’s Top Racing Circuits and Teams

New Motorsports Television Program to Premiere March 27 on SPEED

FAIRFAX, Va. --(Business Wire)-- Mar 18, 2009 Providing fans around the world with behind-the-scenes access to many of today’s popular, international professional racing circuits and successful race teams, ExxonMobil today announced the launch of a new, weekly 30-minute television series devoted to motorsports, “Mobil 1 The Grid.” The show will debut on SPEED at 1:00 a.m. ET on Friday, March 27.

Developed in partnership with Sunset & Vine, a leading global sports television distribution and production company, “Mobil 1 The Grid” will offer exclusive, in-depth features, personality profiles and the latest news from leading motorsports circuits around the globe, including American LeMans Series (ALMS), Mobil 1 Porsche SuperCup, Indy Racing League (IRL), NASCAR and Formula One (F1).

“As the world's leading synthetic motor oil, the Mobil 1 brand has long enjoyed a major presence in the world of motorsports and has been the lubricant of choice for many successful racing teams around the globe,” said Lawrence Kearns, Global Automotive Marketing Manager, ExxonMobil Lubricants & Petroleum Specialties Company.

"Now, through ‘Mobil 1 The Grid,’ racing fans in the US can get up-close, behind-the-scenes access to a wide range of motorsports circuits, seeing how drivers prepare for races, and how their engineering teams conduct extensive research to incorporate advanced automotive technologies that will maximize engine performance.

“We look forward to the launch of ‘Mobil 1 The Grid’ on March 27 on SPEED and are excited to help bring fans closer to the action by leveraging the Mobil 1 brand’s extensive involvement in the world of motorsports.”

Along with the Mobil 1 brand’s status as the “Official Motor Oil of NASCAR,” the brand has also had long-time associations with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes’ F1 team and Penske Racing’s IRL and NASCAR teams.

Last year, Mobil 1 motor oil helped Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, 23, become the youngest-ever F1 champion. Mobil 1 branded motor oils are the only lubricants used in the Mercedes-Benz engine of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-22, driven by Lewis Hamilton.

Future episodes of “Mobil 1 The Grid” will run on SPEED at these times: Saturday, March 28, 12:30 a.m.; Friday, April 3, 12:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.; Saturday, April 4, 1:00 a.m.; Friday, April 10, 4:00 a.m.; Sunday, April 12, 10:30 a.m.; and Friday, April 17, 1:00 a.m.

Chosen by more original equipment manufacturers than any other oil brand, Mobil 1 is the world’s leading synthetic motor oil. Additional information about Mobil 1’s and other ExxonMobil lubricants can be found at www.mobil1.com.

ExxonMobil, Mobil and Mobil 1 are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) or one of its subsidiaries.

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