[press release]

WASHINGTON - In a first for the U.S. Postal Service, a professional stock car will help promote a new fundraising stamp while sporting the organization's logo and colors as driver Jamie McMurray and the Brewco Motorsports team take to the track July 5 in Daytona, Fla.

Sponsored by Williams TravelCenters, McMurray and the No. 27 car are competing in the Stacker 2/GNC Live Well 250 NASCAR Busch Series race at Daytona International Speedway. The race will be broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET on FX.

"The Postal Service is pleased that Brewco Motorsports and Williams TravelCenters chose the Heroes of 2001 stamp to symbolize the patriotic spirit Americans share during this important holiday week," said Azeezaly S. Jaffer, vice president, Public Affairs and Communications for the Postal Service.

"With this new fundraising stamp, we are honoring heroes and helping survivors. And through this promotion, we hope to spread awareness of the stamp to race fans and television viewers from coast to coast," said Jaffer.

"Everybody wants to do what they can to help those who have been personally affected by the tragic events of Sept. 11," said McMurray. "With this being the inaugural Busch Series race under the lights at Daytona, this is a great opportunity to create exposure for this new stamp that provides funds to those individuals who risked their lives for others.

"Seeing this stamp on the hood of the car really takes you back to that day and all the emotions that everyone went through," added McMurray. "I am truly honored to be given this opportunity to be the 'torch-bearer' for such a great cause."

In addition to the one-time running of the special paint scheme at Daytona, Williams TravelCenters will have a simulator/show car replica of the No. 27 Postal Service machine stopping by post offices in the Daytona area during race week.

Sales of the Heroes of 2001 stamp generate funds to provide assistance to families of emergency relief personnel killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty in connection with the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Postmaster General John E. Potter, along with members of Congress and other special guests, dedicated the stamp June 7 in New York City. He said the stamp is a tangible way for all Americans to become involved.

"We ask every American to use the Heroes of 2001 stamp on every letter and package they send. Because by doing this, we are also sending a message to our friends and a stark reminder to our enemies: We are Americans. We do not shirk our duty. We do not flee from danger. And we do not forget our heroes," said Potter.

The Heroes of 2001 stamp is now available at all post offices. The price of the self-adhesive, non-denominated stamp is 45 cents. As a semipostal, it is valid for postage at the First-Class first-ounce letter rate in effect at the time of purchase, with the difference between the sales price of the stamp and the underlying postage consisting of a tax-deductible contribution.

Funds raised in connection with sales of the stamp, net of the Postal Service's reasonable costs, are transferred to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Over the next several months, FEMA will develop a program designed to meet the intention of Congress to assist the families of the emergency relief workers killed or permanently disabled as a result of the Sept. 11 attacks. FEMA will announce the details of the program later this summer.

Designed by Derry Noyes of Washington, D.C., the stamp features a detail of the famous photograph taken by Thomas E. Franklin of three firefighters as they raised the U.S. flag at "Ground Zero." Franklin is a staff photographer at The Record newspaper in Bergen County, N.J.

This stamp and all current stamps and other philatelic products, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available by calling toll free 1 800 STAMP-24. In addition, a selection of current stamps and gift items are available online at the Postal Store at www.usps.com.

Now in its 21st season, the NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division, is the nation's second-richest and most popular stock car racing series, exceeded only by the NASCAR Winston Cup Series.

Brewco Motorsports driver McMurray has raced for 14 years and is competing in his second year of Busch Series racing. Winner of the World Go-kart Championship in 1991, he started driving NASCAR Late Models in 1992.

In 16 races so far in the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series, McMurray has finished in the top five once and in the top ten five times. In 2001, he competed in all 33 events, posting three top-ten finishes.

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