Sterling Marlin NASCAR Update

STERLING MARLIN UPDATE

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (October 2, 2002) - Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
certified athletic trainer, Al Shuford M.Ed,A.T.,C.-L, explains Sterling
Marlin's health following racing accidents at Richmond International
Speedway on September 7 and Kansas Speedway on September 29.

"Following Sterling's accidents at Richmond and Kansas he participated in
the same evaluation procedure with Dr. Petty, neurosurgeon of the Carolina
Neurological and Spinal Injury Clinic, each time.  The non-displaced
fracture of the #2 cervical vertebra showed up in the evaluation procedure
following the Kansas accident.  The fracture did not show up following the
Richmond accident.

"Sterling is currently wearing an Aspen collar which keeps the cervical
vertebrae stable.  He is expected to wear it for a minimum of four weeks.
The fracture will heal naturally and Sterling is currently not scheduled to
undergo surgery.

"Following Sterling's accident at Richmond, I suggested to Sterling to try
the HANS device.  Prior to this he had only worn the Hutchens device.
Sterling was fitted for it and tested two days in Kentucky with it prior to
the Dover race.  We modified the seat at this time and he felt comfortable
with it going into the Dover event.  Sterling wore the HANS device for the
first time during the Dover race weekend.  The week following the Dover
race, Sterling said that his chest was sore.  He decided to go back to
wearing the Hutchens device during the Kansas weekend due to the fact that
the HANS device was uncomfortable because his chest was sore.  There is no
way to determine if either device would have prevented this injury."