Nextel extends fan voting for All-Star Challenge

An overwhelming response from NASCAR fans has prompted Nextel Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXTL) to extend fan voting for the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge. Fans can continue to cast votes and put an eligible driver into the event until Thursday, May 19.

"The number of fans voting to put a driver into the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge has been tremendous," said Michael Robichaud, senior director of sports and entertainment marketing for Nextel. "We want to keep that momentum rolling and allow all fans that would like their say in the outcome to have a chance to vote."

Nextel's fan-voting program put veteran driver Ken Schrader into the all-star field in 2004, when more than 200,000 fans participated. Race fans have surpassed that number of votes in just three weeks, and to date, more than 265,000 fans have already made a driver selection.

"I hope all NASCAR fans will take advantage of the opportunity and vote, even if your favorite driver is already qualified," said Kasey Kahne, driver of the No. 9 Dodge Dealers Charger and is hoping to be voted into the race. "The NEXTEL All-Star Challenge has produced some exciting finishes over the years. It'll be no different this year. That's the way it is under the lights at Lowe's Motor Speedway with a million dollars up for grabs...strange things happen."

The NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge field consists of drivers who have won a points race in 2004 or 2005, the driver who wins the NEXTEL Open, former NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge champions and Series champions who remain active. Additionally, Nextel is allowing fans to vote in one driver among the top 50 in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver points standings who is not already in the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge and who finishes on the lead lap of the NEXTEL Open. Voting locations include:

"All-star events are for the fans," Kahne said. "It is important that fans be involved and that's certainly the case with the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge as fans have the opportunity to select a driver to be added to the field."