HONDA GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG ANNOUNCES 2008 TICKET LAUNCH, NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH PROGRESS ENERGY FLORIDA

       ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Dec. 5, 2007) - Officials with the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg announced today that tickets for the 2008 event will go on sale to the general public Friday, Dec. 7, at 10 a.m. (EST). The Honda Grand Prix also introduced Progress Energy Florida as a new associate sponsor of the event, which is slated to be run April 4-6, 2008, in downtown St. Petersburg.
       Beginning Dec. 7, all tickets will be available with prices starting at $25 for adults. All tickets purchased between Dec. 7 and Dec. 31 will include a free Saturday/Sunday pass to the IndyCar Series paddock, which carries a value of $55. All ticket prices remain unchanged from 2007 for the 2008 event for the second-consecutive year.
       The fourth-annual event will be contested again on a 1.8-mile temporary street circuit in downtown St. Petersburg.  In addition to the Honda Indy St. Pete IndyCar Series race on April 6, the event will also feature the second-annual Acura Sports Car Challenge American Le Mans Series race on Saturday, April 5, giving fans access to two world-class race events during the weekend.
       "We're very excited about the 2008 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and equally excited to announce a partnership with Progress Energy Florida," said Kevin Savoree, managing director of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. "We've worked very hard to make this an event that offers something for everyone and make this an event that the community can look forward to. Progress Energy Florida is a very community-minded partner and we're looking forward to doing great things with them in this effort.”
       Progress Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN) headquartered in St. Petersburg, provides electricity and related services to more than 1.7 million customers in Florida.
       "The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is quickly becoming a signature event for our city and region, and is one of the best venues on the Indy Car Series circuit," said Jeff Lyash, president and CEO of Progress Energy Florida. "As a St. Petersburg-based company, we are excited to be a part of this event that continues to grow every year and provides great exposure for our city and region."
       In addition to individual ticket sales, the Honda Grand Prix is offering a free IndyCar Series paddock pass to groups purchasing 10 or more 3-day reserved tickets.  Group purchases are only available through the HGPSP box office.  Corporate hospitality and sponsorship packages are also still available.
       Tickets can be purchased by calling the Honda Grand Prix box office at (727) 824-7223 (extension 225),  or by visiting the event's website at www.gpstpete.com or through Ticketmaster.
      
About Progress Energy Florida
       Progress Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN), provides electricity and related services to more than 1.7 million customers in Florida. The company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., and serves a territory encompassing more than 20,000 square miles including the cities of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as well as the Central Florida area surrounding Orlando. Progress Energy is the 2006 recipient of the Edison Electric Institute's Edison Award, the industry's highest honor, in recognition of its operational excellence. In 2005, the company also received the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Founder's Award for dedication, commitment and sustained improvement in customer service. For more information about Progress Energy, visit the company's Web site at www.progress-energy.com.

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Contact:
Al Larsen, (317) 872-2700 ext 239, alan.larsen@andrettigreenracing.com