Champion Mortgage Signs with Michael Waltrip Racing to Sponsor McDowell’s No. 00 Toyota Camry

For Immediate Release

CORNELIUS, N.C. (June 2, 2008) – Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced today that Champion Mortgage will sponsor the No. 00 Toyota Camry and driver Michael McDowell for a minimum of 10 races beginning at Pocono Raceway this weekend.

“We are so fortunate to have such great sponsors at MWR like Microsoft, NAPA, Aaron’s and UPS and today we are proud to announce that we have added Champion Mortgage,” McDowell said. “Champion Mortgage offers competitive rates and quality mortgage products. We’re looking forward to developing a longstanding relationship with them starting this week at Pocono.”

Champion Mortgage, a leading mortgage lender, is a well known name in the Northeast and has been expanding its mortgage lending across the US since the Champion brand became a division of Nationstar Mortgage LLC in 2007. The company looks to continue their expansion into new markets by beginning a partnership with Michael Waltrip Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

“Champion Mortgage is excited about the opportunity to team up with Michael Waltrip Racing, a highly respected and well known NASCAR family, and become the primary sponsor of its No. 00 Michael McDowell car,” said Tony Barone, President and CEO of Nationstar Mortgage, owner of the Champion brand. “As a leading provider of mortgage loans across the country, we know what it’s like to be part of a winning team. Champion Mortgage continues to expand its brand beyond the Northeast where the Champion name has been known for more than 25 years and I believe this is a fantastic opportunity to develop and promote who we are. We look forward bringing our mortgage expertise, competitive products and our customer service to provide NASCAR fans the quality service they both expect and deserve.”

McDowell is set to showcase his No. 00 Champion Mortgage Toyota Camry for the first time at Pocono Raceway where he was victorious last year driving for Eddie Sharp Racing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series.

“It’s nice to be able to go to a track where I have won a race before because at least I know what to expect,” said McDowell, who finished second in the ARCA RE/MAX Series points standings last season with four victories. “I’m a rookie in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and I’m seeing most of these tracks for the first time. Since I have raced at Pocono a couple times and have a win there in ARCA, I feel really good about going there in the No. 00 Champion Mortgage Toyota Camry.”

The 23-year-old also tested at the 2.5-mile tri-oval last week during a two-day NASCAR Sprint Cup Series test. “The Pocono test went pretty well,” McDowell said. “As far as our three cars, we’re searching real hard right now to find a baseline that works well for us. Usually, when we go testing the three of us will go in very separate directions, and Michael’s (Waltrip) car was really good there. I think that we’re going to have a good starting line to come back next week with Michael’s package. I think he ended up in the top 10 in the speed charts. He was good all day long. I was able to drive his No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota car a little bit as well and it was pretty good.”

Live Coverage of the Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway on TNT will begin at 12:30 p.m. ET and 1:15 p.m. ET on MRN Radio.

Champion Overview:
With years of mortgage experience, Champion Mortgage® can help make the equity you've worked to build up in your home work for you. Our Loan Specialists will work with you one-on-one to customize a financing solution. Champion Mortgage can show you how refinancing could help you achieve your financial goals, lower your monthly bill payments, pay for college, make home improvements or meet any of life's other challenges. Visit www.Champion.com or call us at 1-800-CHAMPION to learn about how we can help you.

In as little as 10 minutes, you can call 1-800-CHAMPION for a free, no obligation consultation with one of our Loan Specialists.

Whether you’re an experienced mortgage customer or just starting out, Champion Mortgage can provide the tools and options you need to make your mortgage experience the best it can be.