Marlin scores another top-10 at Martinsville

Contact:  Nealie Hamilton, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, (704)
662-9642, nhamilton@ganassi.com <mailto:nhamilton@ganassi.com>

For Immediate Release

Marlin scores another top-10 at Martinsville 

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (April 13, 2003) --- Forget lucky number 7.  Sterling
Marlin is seeing "6's" these days.  In the past four races, Marlin has
scored three sixth place finishes.  

Marlin finished in sixth place in the Virginia 500 at Martinsville Speedway
and moved up four spots in NASCAR Championship points, putting him in 12th
position.  Marlin was the highest finishing Dodge of the race and leads
Dodge in the points standings.

The Coors Light Dodge started the race in 25th position and Marlin
consistently moved up through the field.  During the 500-lap race, Marlin
hit the top-20 on lap 84, the top-15 on lap 208, and the top-10 on lap 286.
The Coors Light Dodge led the field following a caution on lap 299, gaining
five championship bonus points in the process.

Marlin's Dodge did have a few problems during the race.  He was loose off
the corner at the beginning of the race, tight in the center of the corner a
little later, and he lost all grip late in the race.  But, the Coors Light
crew kept Marlin out front with quick pit stops and adjustments.  The Coors
Light pit crew did not lose any spots in the pits.  They kept Marlin in his
current position or better when he exited pit road.

"We were a little bit off," Marlin said after the race.  "It was typical
Martinsville. We were slipping and sliding a little bit. We were a little
loose at times, a little tight at times. I guess we had the best Dodge
today, so we'll just keep trying to get better. We had a few donuts on the
car today, but it was just typical Martinsville."

"That's what we needed, another top-10," crew chief Lee McCall said.  "This
was a good points day for us and the Coors Light crew did an excellent job
in the pits.  We seem to be back in a groove here and we're looking forward
to California."

Ganassi teammates and rookies Casey Mears and Jamie McMurray finished 36th
and 39th respectively.  Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet, won
the race; his first win of the season.  

The Coors Light team will enjoy their first off-weekend of the season this
week.  After resting up for a week, the team heads to California Speedway
for the Auto Club 500 that will be broadcast live on April 27 on FOX
television and MRN radio.

XXX



Nealie Hamilton
Media Relations
Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
office: (704) 662-9642 x1130
cell: (704) 500-6068
nhamilton@ganassi.com