DIRECTV To Bring Fans into "The Zone'' - NASCAR

SOURCE: DIRECTV, Inc., Thursday, February 15, 2007

Satellite Television Leader Also Announces Free Preview of Exclusive NASCAR HOTPASS only on DIRECTV Service During Daytona 500

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 15, 2007--DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite television service provider, is revolutionizing the NASCAR experience once again with the DIRECTV ZONE, a mobile luxury lounge located within the infield at select NASCAR events and featuring a variety of high-tech amenities, including full access to the exclusive new NASCAR Hot Pass only on DIRECTV. The Zone will debut at the Daytona 500 on February 18 at Daytona International Speedway, and appear at 17 races throughout the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season giving fans in attendance the opportunity to celebrate race day in style.

To kickoff the season, DIRECTV will also provide subscribers at home the chance to experience the new NASCAR HOTPASS service during the Daytona 500, free of charge, through a free preview it will offer during the race. The free preview will be available on channels 794-799.

"NASCAR and DIRECTV are a winning combination, and we're making an effort to pull out all of the stops in 2007 for the fans watching at home and those attending NASCAR events," said David Hill, president of DIRECTV Entertainment. "While the NASCAR HOTPASS service will redefine the NASCAR viewing experience, the DIRECTV ZONE will bring the race-day experience to another level as well."

The DIRECTV ZONE will feature viewing areas for fans to experience the NASCAR HOTPASS service in style, via five separate screens/channels (one for each of the five drivers). In addition, the DIRECTV ZONE will feature a roof-top lounge where fans will have the ultimate birds-eye view of the race on the track.

Every fan in attendance at these 17 select NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races will receive a lanyard card upon entry to the track equipped with a special bar code. Dedicated DIRECTV ZONE ambassadors will direct fans to visit one of six mobile pit boxes located around the track. Each pit box is equipped with four computer screens where fans can swipe their lanyard cards to find out if they've won an instant seat upgrade to the DIRECTV ZONE or other prizes. When a winning fan is identified, ambassadors will provide escorts via special DIRECTV ZONE golf carts for each winner. In addition, winning fans will have the chance to meet NASCAR personalities including long-time SpeedChannel broadcaster Larry McReynolds, as well as Crew Chief Club or DIRECTV race team members.

NASCAR HOTPASS only on DIRECTV features five dedicated driver channels offering multiple camera angles, real-time car telemetry, in car audio communication and a dedicated announcer team. The first five drivers to be featured on NASCAR HOTPASS in Daytona will be Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Dale Earnhardt Incorporated), Kevin Harvick (Richard Childress Racing), Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsports), Tony Stewart (Joe GibbsRacing) and Michael Waltrip (Waltrip-Jasper Racing). The new service, combined with race day telecasts and nascar.com coverage, will give fans the most comprehensive and powerful NASCAR experience possible. DIRECTV customers can now purchase the service at a full-season package price of $99 or on a pay-per-week basis for $29.99. More information is available on www.directv.com/hotpass.

DIRECTV is an official sponsor of NASCAR and an official sponsor of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and the # 07 car.