Nextel Further Delivers on Promise to Enhance NASCAR Fan Experience With Wireless Applications That Leverage Powerful Wireless Technologies
RESTON, Va. (July 6, 2004) - Nextel Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: NXTL) announced today a new NASCAR content offering, PitCommand, a wireless Java® application that delivers real-time race data in an exciting, full-color, visual display. PitCommand is available as part of NASCAR.COM TO GO, which packages NASCAR.COM's exclusive content in an easy-to-use service available on Nextel phones. PitCommand creates a single view of all the critical race elements - including speed, RPM, throttle/brake indicators, lap counts and more - the same live information that crew chiefs receive at their command stations, or "war wagons," at the pits. Images of PitCommand are available at ftp.nextel.com/pub/nol/nascarcomtogo.PitCommand, available first from Nextel, provides fans with a unique look at their favorite drivers' position on the track, lap count and time behind the leader. To offer this application, Nextel has partnered with NASCAR.COM, the official site of NASCAR, Digital Orchid Inc., an innovator in the development, management and distribution of branded wireless applications, and Sportvision, a market leader in sports-media technology. PitCommand uses in-car telemetry data that is provided six times per second via Sportvision's proprietary Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to track the position of the entire field of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers in real-time as they compete during a race.
"Since before the season started, Nextel has been dedicated to delivering greater excitement and enjoyment to NASCAR fans by leveraging our wireless technology expertise to make fans part of the action," said Mark Schweitzer, senior vice president of marketing for Nextel. "PitCommand enhances the fan experience wherever they happen to be on race day - at the track, at home or on the go - from the convenience of their Nextel phone."PitCommand presents a graphical version of the track on the screen of the Nextel® phone, with icons representing each stockcar that are synchronized with their relative speed and position. Fans can customize their experience by selecting a virtual speedometer, odometer, gas and brake pedals for any car they choose, plus driver profiles and current standings. NASCAR.COM's PitCommand mobile application is immediately available for all upcoming NASCAR Nextel Cup Series races.
"Nextel is putting fans first by giving them access to NASCAR wherever they go," said Drew Reifenberger, executive vice president of Turner Sports Interactive Program Planning, Acquisitions and Interactive. "Their desire to help raise the bar for live racing coverage is a great fit for the immersive experience of our PitCommand product."NASCAR.COM TO GO with PitCommand is available for several color, Java-powered Nextel phones, including the recently-launched i830, which is the smallest walkie-talkie-enabled handset ever; the i730, a sleek feature-rich handset; and the i736 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and Driver Series handsets. The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Phone displays a checkered flag and an enlarged NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series logo. The ten NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Driver Phones each feature the number and unique design, colors and signature of a particular driver, including:
- No. 2 Rusty Wallace
- No. 6 Mark Martin
- No. 8 Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
- No. 15 Michael Waltrip
- No. 17 Matt Kenseth
- No. 20 Tony Stewart
- No. 24 Jeff Gordon
- No. 48 Jimmie Johnson
- No. 88 Dale Jarrett
- No. 97 Kurt Busch
NASCAR.COM TO GO with PitCommand is available to Nextel customers as part of a bundled data package for $15.99 per month, or for $9.99 per month when also subscribed to a Total Connect data plan and Nextel Online® Web service. Additionally, customers can enjoy a free one-month trial of NASCAR.COM TO GO if activated before September 30, 2004. NASCAR.COM TO GO with PitCommand can be previewed and purchased at www.nextel.com.
About NextelNextel Communications, a FORTUNE 200 company based in Reston, Va., is a leading provider of fully integrated wireless communications services and has built the largest guaranteed all-digital wireless network in the country covering thousands of communities across the United States. Today 95 percent of FORTUNE 500(R) companies are Nextel customers. Nextel and Nextel Partners, Inc. currently serve 296 of the top 300 U.S. markets where approximately 252 million people live or work.
About NASCAR.COM
NASCAR.COM is produced by Turner Sports Interactive. The company acquired all of NASCAR's interactive rights in October 2000 and became the exclusive producer of NASCAR.COM in January 2001. NASCAR.COM is one of the fastest growing sports sites on the Web, consistently ranking among the top three sport sites on the Internet. In 2003, NASCAR.COM was awarded an Emmy(R) by the National Television Academy for its TrackPass with PitCommand application.
San Diego-based Digital Orchid is in the business of building, managing and distributing unique branded wireless applications for the mobile industry. The company provides the leadership necessary to enable the wireless industry to successfully make the transition from offering traditional circuit switched voice services to advanced packet switched data services. The company's systems integration approach to the production and distribution of wireless online services eliminates the barriers that have limited the adoption of wireless applications in the past. Specifically, the company develops sophisticated suites of applications, leverages carrier relationships, integrates various technological components and uses the already established marketing channels of large brands to create a unique experience for the mobile user. In addition, the company enables new marketing and distribution opportunities for both the carriers and the brands, thereby increasing the number of subscribers who can access Digital Orchid solutions.
About Sportvision, Inc.
Sportvision, Inc. is the nation's premier innovator of sports and entertainment products for fans, media and marketers. A privately held corporation, Sportvision solutions have enhanced experiences for fans and marketing partners of the NFL, NBA, NASCAR, NHL, PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, Major League Baseball, NCAA football and basketball, WTA, Major League Soccer and other sporting events on-air and online. The company has captured five Emmy Awards for its products, three for their signature broadcast enhancements, the virtual yellow 1st and Ten™ line and K Zone, and two for its pioneering advanced media work with NASCAR. Sportvision can be found on the web at www.sportvision.com.
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