What do Microsoft, Google, Coca-Cola, M&Ms, Sony, Harley-Davidson, Southwest Airlines and Speedway SuperAmerica have in common? They are the best brands in the nation in their respective categories according to the 2009 EquiTrend® Brand Study conducted by Harris Interactive®. This renowned annual online study measures the bonds that exist between consumers and brands.

"Speedway SuperAmerica is proud to be the gasoline brand that U.S. consumers equate with a consistent exceptional customer experience," remarked Tony Kenney, president of Speedway SuperAmerica LLC (SSA). "There are many highly respected brands within the gasoline industry and to be ranked as the very best in the place where it matters most - in the eyes of the customer - is truly a great honor."

This year, EquiTrend® measured 1,120 brands across 39 categories. Survey data is based upon such important brand tenets as Familiarity, Quality, Purchase Consideration, Brand Expectations, Distinctiveness and Trust. These measurements determine the brand's rank both among its competitors and in comparison to world-class brands across all categories. Harris Interactive® also added for 2009 another base measurement reflective of these economic times that measures the perceived value of a brand based upon the money a customer pays.

"Being the customers' first choice for value and convenience has been our vision at SSA for as long as I can remember," Kenney pointed out, adding, "Our employees, and in particular our store associates who are the face of SSA to almost 2.4 million customers a day, deserve the credit for building such strong connections and establishing such broad appeal and trust in the Speedway name. When we combine competitive pricing with exceptional customer service, plus the added value of our Speedy Rewards® program, we clearly are having a very positive impact on the motoring public."

For five consecutive quarters dating back to early 2008, SSA has been rated as the best convenience store chain in terms of overall customer satisfaction in a national consumer perception survey conducted by Corporate Research International® through their website realpeopleratings.com. Ever-increasing customer appeal has also been reflected in SSA's very own Speedy Rewards® customer survey data, with record ratings quarter over quarter in 2008 and 2009 for such key metrics as Overall Satisfaction, Friendliness, Speed of Service, and Inside and Outside Cleanliness. And, SSA continues to outpace the convenience store industry and, in particular the Midwest market, in fuel and merchandise sales.

SALT LAKE CITY (Feb. 24, 2009)—Speedway SuperAmerica LLC (SSA) presented a check for $3 million to the Children’s Miracle Network, an international non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children’s hospitals, as a result of their 2008 fundraising campaign.

SSA Vice President of Operations Dave Heppner and Vice President of Marketing Glenn Plumby presented the check to Children’s Miracle Network Chief Development Officer Brian Hazelgren at a ceremony held in Ohio at The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton. They also presented a check for more than $150,000 specifically to The Children’s Medical Center as a part of SSA’s overall fundraising total for 2008.

As Dave Heppner stated, “I’m proud to say that Speedway SuperAmerica is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of our customers and the communities in which we operate. We’ve adopted Children’s Miracle Network as our charitable focus because 100% of the funds are donated back to the Children’s Hospitals of the communities in which they were raised.” Glenn Plumby was quick to add, “This accomplishment is due to the energetic enthusiasm and creativity of our store personnel combined with the overwhelming generosity of our customers and vendor partners. Despite a challenging economic environment in 2008, they came through with a new record in giving!”

SSA raises funds for Children’s Miracle Network through a number of fundraisers, including the sale of Children's Miracle Network’s iconic “miracle balloon” to customers. SSA operates approximately 1,600 stores in nine states throughout the Midwest and is the largest contributor to Children’s Miracle Network in the convenience store industry.

About Children's Miracle Network
Children's Miracle Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children’s hospitals. Each year the 170 Children's Miracle Network hospitals provide the finest medical care, life-saving research and preventative education to help millions of kids overcome diseases and injuries of every kind. To learn more go to www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org

About Marathon Oil Corporation
Marathon is an integrated international energy company engaged in exploration and production; oil sands mining; integrated gas; and refining, marketing and transportation operations. Marathon, which is based in Houston, has principal operations in the United States, Angola, Canada, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Norway and the United Kingdom. Marathon is the fourth largest United States-based integrated oil company and the nation's fifth largest refiner.

About Speedway SuperAmerica
Speedway SuperAmerica LLC (SSA), headquartered in Enon, Ohio, is one of the nation’s largest company-owned and operated convenience store chains and the largest in the Midwest with approximately 1,600 stores located in nine states. Most of the stores are operated under the Speedway and SuperAmerica brand names. SSA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marathon Oil Corporation. For further information about SSA, visit the Company’s web site at www.speedway.com.