Target and Activision Partner With Chip Ganassi Racing to Feature Guitar Hero: Aerosmith on No. 40 Dodge

June 18, 2008

Target and Activision Partner
With Chip Ganassi Racing to Feature Guitar Hero: Aerosmith on No. 40 Dodge

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix
Sabates announced today it has partnered with Activision and its long-time
sponsor Target to feature the latest version of the Guitar Hero series, Guitar
Hero: Aerosmith, on Dario Franchitti’s No. 40 Dodge in the NASCAR Sprint Cup
race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) on June 29.

Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, which will
be released June 29, is the latest installment from the Activision franchise
that was the top-selling video game in 2007. The game puts players in the shoes
of Joe Perry (guitar), Brad Whitford (guitar) and Tom Hamilton (bass), as they
rock out alongside frontman Steven Tyler and drummer Joey Kramer. Gamers will
experience Aerosmith’s GRAMMY winning career, from their first gig to becoming
rock royalty while jamming to the band’s top songs.

With the launch of Guitar Hero:
Aerosmith, Target stores will carry an exclusive bundle for Nintendo’s Wii that
includes the game, two wireless guitar controllers and a tour book. The ultimate
rock experience, whether cooperatively or head-to-head, can be had right out of
the box on June 29 for $149.99.

“The marriage of Nintendo Wii and
Guitar Hero makes a lot of sense for the Target guest,” said Steve Eastman, Vice
President, Target. “The music of Aerosmith bridges generations, just as the Wii
has done. Everyone in the family can share that experience with this bundle.”

Franchitti will be making his debut
in the Sprint Cup Series at New Hampshire in the fading yellow to red
Target/Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Dodge. The 2007 IndyCar champion has eight starts
this season in his rookie campaign in the Cup Series and currently sits 39th in
the 2008 point standings.

“We’re very excited to have Guitar
Hero bring together two great American traditions, rock ‘n’ roll Aerosmith
style, and NASCAR racing,” said Dusty Welch, head of publishing Activision/RedOctane.
“Fans at the event will get a double treat, watching their favorite drivers race
and competing for a chance to face off against one of them on Guitar Hero:
Aerosmith.”

The Guitar Hero consumer bus will be
parked in the display area behind the main grandstands at NHMS all weekend for
fans to take a sneak peak at the game and try their hands as a guitarist from
Aerosmith. Franchitti and Target driver Reed Sorenson will make an appearance at
the bus on Sunday to showcase their talents on the guitar before strapping into
their Dodges for the 301-lap race.

“I love video games and actually
have versions of Guitar Hero that I play on my bus and at home. To have Target,
Activision and Aerosmith on my car for the New Hampshire race is pretty cool.”
said Franchitti. “Who doesn’t love Aerosmith’s music; it’s perfect for getting
ready for the side-by-side, non-stop action of NASCAR racing.”