he NASCAR Barbie Doll Races on to Collectible Toy Scene

World's Most Popular Fashion Doll Champions America's Growing Love of Motor Sports

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--July 31, 1998--She's ice-skated like an Olympian and played tennis like a pro.

Now Barbie^® doll, the world's most popular fashion doll, is about to inspire girls and grown-ups alike as a race car driver decked out in her very own NASCAR-inspired driving uniform.

NASCAR^® Barbie^®, a collectible doll produced by California-based Mattel, Inc.(NYSE:MAT - news), is planned to zoom into toy stores nationwide in September 1998. The doll's release coincides with the 50th anniversary of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). Barbie will make her sneak-peek, track-side debut on July 31 prior to the NASCAR^® Brickyard 400 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 1, 1998.

"NASCAR^® Barbie provides a great way for all family members -- Dad, Mom and daughters alike -- to share in the excitement of NASCAR^® racing," said David Haddad, senior vice president, Barbie 4Collectibles, "and now NASCAR^® Barbie can help girls aspire to join the growing field of women in motorsports."

"We have really enjoyed working together with Mattel to bring NASCAR^® Barbie to our racing enthusiasts," said George Pyne, vice president of marketing for NASCAR^®. "NASCAR^® Barbie is also an ideal way to help reach our younger fans."

NASCAR^® Barbie is among the newest collector dolls. NASCAR^® Barbie, takes the young girls' playmate and adult enthusiasts' prize collectible to new heights, combining the enduring appeal of Barbie with the excitement of NASCAR^® racing -- America's number one spectator sport.

NASCAR^® Barbie comes dressed in her authentic driving uniform, cap and accessories, accurate down to her race sponsors and her helmet with working visor.

She's already a hit with some race car drivers, male and female.

"NASCAR has enabled me to fulfill a life-long dream to compete in racing," said NASCAR Busch Grand National driver Patty Moise. "I hope NASCAR Barbie will inspire more young women to go after their dreams."

NASCAR^® driver Kyle Petty, who races the famous No. 44 Hot Wheels Grand Prix, agreed. "Boys have always loved motorsports and have aspired to become race car drivers. Now, with NASCAR^® Barbie, hopefully we can get more girls interested in getting behind the wheel. As it stands, 38 percent of NASCAR^® fans are female."

Top Indy-car racer Lyn St. James said she too likes NASCAR^® Barbie. "Women are excelling in all kinds of sports as never before and Barbie doll's participation in motorsports is another example of how she really helps young girls aspire to be their best."

Since her creation in 1959 as a paper-doll-inspired playmate, the Barbie doll has become the world's most famous fashion doll, adapting her look, lifestyle and fashions to meet changing times. And, like sports-theme Barbie dolls of the past -- which ranged from aerobics instructor to bicyclist and Olympic ice skater, NASCAR^® Barbie represents the continuing effort by Mattel to support girls' aspirations as athletes.

"Barbie shows girls that they can be whatever they want to be," said Haddad. "Women like Patty and Lyn are making real headway in motorsports and we're proud to help girls fulfill that dream or any other dream they may have."

In 1997, the Barbie doll line sold posted sales of $1.9 billion; Barbie is sold in more than 150 countries around the world. More than one billion Barbie dolls (and family members) have been sold since 1959; placed head-to-toe, the dolls would circle the earth more than seven times.

In addition, interactive Barbie products -- ranging from CD-ROMS to software programs -- are more popular than ever, posting sales of $80 million in 1997.

Mattel, Inc. is the worldwide leader in design, manufacture and marketing of children's toys. With headquarters in El Segundo, Mattel has offices and facilities in 36 countries and markets its products in more than 150 nations throughout the world.

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) was founded in 1948 in Daytona Beach, Fla. by William H.G. France, a man with a dream to legitimize a sport that was, at the time, an unorganized hobby. Today, NASCAR, headed by Bill France, Jr., sanctions some 2,200 events at more than 140 race tracks in 39 states across America.