Sweepstakes empowers fans to decide who races

Five ways to vote and win $50,000 plus an ultimate fan experience

RESTON, Va. -- Nextel Communications Inc. on Wednesday today announced the Nextel All-Star Challenge Sweepstakes, the first of three national sweepstakes to be offered by Nextel during the 2005 racing season.

Fans can choose one driver among the top 50 in points standings to compete in the Nextel All-Star Challenge on May 21 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Fans participating in the Nextel All-Star Challenge Sweepstakes automatically will be entered for a chance to win a $50,000 cash prize and an ultimate fan experience VIP package, valued at $20,000, compliments of Nextel.

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The ultimate fan experience VIP prize package includes four tickets to the Nextel All-Star Challenge, accommodations, a ride in the official pace car, helicopter transport to the race and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to wave the green flag as the honorary starter of the 2005 Nextel All-Star Challenge.

The sweepstakes winner will be chosen at random after voting closes May 7. Thousands of contest participants will also win prizes upon completion of their ballot. Prizes include Motorola handsets built for Nextel, tickets to the 2005 Nextel All-Star Challenge and Nextel Cup Series prize packs.

"We had a successful campaign in 2004 with more than 200,000 people submitting votes," said Mark Schweitzer, senior vice president of marketing for Nextel. "With more ways to cast ballots this year we hope to exceed that number and bring more fans closer to the sport they love."

The Nextel All-Star Challenge field consists of drivers who have won a points race in 2004 or 2005, and active Nextel All-Star Challenge champions. Fans will have five ways to vote for one driver. Voting locations include:

• Trackside at The Nextel Experience
• Nextel retail locations
• Nextel Racing Experience events
• Online at www.Nextel.com/allstar
• Through their Nextel phones by texting "STAR" to 7827

The Nextel All-Star Challenge Sweepstakes is the first of three Nextel national fan promotions in 2005. Other sweepstakes to be announced later this year include the Race to the Chase for the Nextel Cup Sweepstakes, in which fans pick the driver they think will win the Nextel Cup, and a third promotion which will be associated with the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

For more information regarding the sweepstakes, please see the Nextel All-Star Challenge Official Rules located at www.Nextel.com/allstar. Fans also are encouraged to visit www.nascar.com for Nextel All-Star Challenge event updates, news and access to the Nextel fan voting page.