Allstate Announces Sponsorship Deal with NASCAR Drive For Diversity Driver Jesus Hernandez

NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Allstate, the official insurance sponsor of NASCAR®, announced that it will sponsor Drive For Diversity driver Jesus Hernandez for the 2007 season. Hernandez will compete in a total of seven NASCAR Grand National Division (NGND) events in an Allstate branded car.

“Jesus has shown a great deal of promise in his career and he is poised for future success. We’re excited to help provide the resources for his continued development.”

The sponsorship will help further Allstate’s efforts to promote diversity within NASCAR while providing valuable resources for Hernandez to compete at the highest level on the NGND series. In addition to primary placement on the No. 4 Ginn Racing Chevrolet, Allstate gains the rights to use Hernandez’s name and likeness for promotional purposes, and for Hernandez to make appearances at Allstate events.

“Allstate is committed to promoting the sport of NASCAR to all audiences and making opportunities for participation available to everyone,” said Pam Hollander, Allstate director for integrated marketing communications. “Jesus has shown a great deal of promise in his career and he is poised for future success. We’re excited to help provide the resources for his continued development.”

Hernandez, 26, from Fresno, Calif., is in his third year in NASCAR’s Drive For Diversity program, which seeks to develop minority and female drivers and crew members. Hernandez showed promise last season with two victories at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway on the Whelen All-American Series. He is off to a fast start this season, claiming a fifth-place finish at the NGND West Series race at Phoenix International Raceway in April and a third-place finish at the NGND East-West Inter-league race at Iowa Speedway in May. Hernandez’s first event with the Allstate sponsorship occurred June 8 during the NGND East Series at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Conn.

“I’m honored that Allstate is sponsoring me and the No. 4 Ginn Racing Chevrolet,” said Hernandez. “We’re off to a great start in 2007 and I look forward to an exciting season. Allstate has shown great commitment to promoting diversity in motorsports and this sponsorship will help boost the appeal of the sport.”

As the official auto, home and life insurance and retirement products sponsor of NASCAR, Allstate continues its successful sponsorship of Evernham Motorsports, now in its third year. In 2007, Allstate will continue to promote its entitlement of the Allstate® 400 at the Brickyard® and its commitment to NASCAR fans through a variety of integrated marketing programs, promotions and national print, television and radio advertising.

About Allstate

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,800 exclusive agencies and financial professionals in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. Encompass® and Deerbrook® Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers.