For Immediate Release Thursday, May 18, 2006

Meineke Car Care Bowl Reaches
Extension with Big East Conference
New Contract Gives Bowl the #3 Big East Selection

Charlotte, N.C. – The Meineke Car Care Bowl has reached a contract extension with the Big East Conference, locking in the Big East through the 2009 season, it was announced today by Raycom Sports, owner and operator of the game. The new agreement secures the #3 selection from the Big East for the Meineke Car Care Bowl. In its first four years, the bowl has had the #4 selection.

The 2006 Meineke Car Care Bowl will take place on Saturday, December 30, 2006, at 1:00 p.m., at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. and is televised nationally on ESPN.

“The Big East has been a great partner to the Meineke Car Care Bowl,” said Bowl Executive Director Will Webb. “They have been a part of this game from the beginning, and we are excited to see that continue. The Big East footprint covers many important markets for Meineke Car Care Centers, so this agreement not only benefits the bowl game, but the title sponsor as well.”

The Meineke Car Care Bowl has averaged almost 64,000 fans each year and has sold out two of its four years. It has reached over 6.5 million television households. In 2003, it was named one of the five-best start-ups in sports over the past five years by the Sports Business Journal, behind only the NFL Houston Texans and ESPN the Magazine.

The inaugural game, played on December 28, 2002 before a sold-out stadium, saw Virginia defeat West Virginia, 48-22. On December 27, 2003, Virginia once again claimed victory, this time over Pittsburgh, 23-16. The third year again produced a sellout, as Boston College defeated North Carolina, 37-24, on December 30, 2004. And last year, NC State defeated South Florida, 14-0, on December 31, 2005.

Public tickets will go on sale August 1st, 2006. Upper Level Seats are priced at $30 and Lower Level Seats are $55. Individual tickets will be available only through TicketMaster. To purchase individual tickets, please visit any TicketMaster outlet in the southeast or online at www.ticketmaster.com. To order from TicketMaster by phone in Charlotte, call . Tickets are also available at the Carolina Panthers Box Office, located at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

Club Level seats are only available through ticket and sponsorship packages. To purchase ticket and sponsorship packages, please call the Meineke Car Care Bowl office toll free at or online at meinekecarcarebowl.com.

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