Sprint and Adam Petty Announce New Deal and Cup Plans

(November 11, 1999, Miami, Fla.) - The surf and sand of Miami's colorful South Beach served as a backdrop for Sprint to announce an expanded sponsorship agreement with Adam Petty, the first-ever fourth generation professional athlete. Adam's great grandfather Lee Petty won the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959. Grandfather Richard Petty and father, Kyle, assisted Adam in unveiling his car for the 2000 NASCAR season, a newly designed #45 Sprint Chevy outfitted in Sprint's trademark red and gray colors and recognizable diamond logo.

The new three-year sponsorship positions Sprint as the young Petty's primary sponsor. It also continues the company's existing associate sponsorships with the Winston Cup teams of Petty Enterprises and drivers Kyle Petty and John Andretti. Also during the announcement in Miami, Petty revealed his racing plans for next season, which include a full-time run in the Busch Series as well as a select run in the Winston Cup Series.

Sprint's decision to expand its sponsorship with the Pettys shows the company's increased commitment to America's fastest-growing and most brand-loyal sport. The newly announced deal also signifies an effort by Sprint to involve all of its business units and to utilize NASCAR's popularity as a platform to advance the Sprint brand and showcase the company's wide range of products and services.

Sprint's relationship with the Pettys began in 1996 when the company's Prepaid PhoneCard group served as an associate sponsor on Kyle Petty's Winston Cup car. In 1998 Sprint expanded its associate sponsorship to include the #43 car driven by John Andretti and owned by Richard Petty. "Our relationship with the Pettys has been outstanding - one in which we wanted to expand and continue for Sprint," said Brian Dunmore, Manager-Corporate Sponsorships for Sprint. "We look forward to expanding the marketing and promotional success achieved by our Prepaid PhoneCard group across all of Sprint's business units. "

Dunmore added, "Having a prominent presence in this growing sport is right on track with our business strategy, and our association with the Petty family gives us a direct link to customers and exciting opportunities to build our business and our brand."

Petty's first-scheduled jump to Winston Cup action is April 2nd at Texas Motor Speedway with the possibility of the young driver competing against his father, Kyle, for the first time. "Sprint has taken me from ASA to Busch and now we're going to Winston Cup," he said. "I'm excited about returning to the Busch Series with the team we have, and I can't wait to race against my dad for the first time in Winston Cup. That will be a very special day." Kyle Petty said, "We've had a great relationship. Sprint was an associate sponsor for a couple of seasons and in 1998 they began a relationship with Adam as his primary. Now they're on all of Petty Enterprises cars. It's a great sponsorship success story."

The next chapter of the story begins now for Kyle and his son as the duo face the possibility of racing against each other in the series. "Any father would be proud to have his son be successful at anything. It just so happens I get to experience that excitement first hand," said Kyle. "I look at it this way, I get to do something most fathers don't get a chance to, and that's help my son succeed on the job."

Adam's job continues after his debut at Texas Motor Speedway in April. The 19-year-old will attempt to qualify in May for the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, a race under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway in August, the fall race in Martinsville and at Homestead-Miami Speedway for a late-season November race.

"It's going to be difficult," Adam said. "I know from watching my dad and granddad that the Winston Cup Series is the toughest competition there is, but we're ready to take that next step."

Sprint is a global communications company at the forefront in integrating long distance, local and wireless communications services and one of the world's largest carriers of Internet traffic. Sprint built and operates the United States' first nationwide all-digital, fiber optic network and is a leader in advanced data communications services. Sprint has $17 billion in annual revenues and serves more than 20 million businesses and residential customers.