UPS Racing Scholarships Fuel Career Potential for Five New Recipients; Recent Graduate Gains Full-time Robert Yates Racing Employment

ATLANTA--March 9, 2004--UPS has presented another five UPS Racing Technical Edge Scholarships to minority students seeking careers in racing and automotive technology.

Now in its second year, the program provides scholarships to students attending the NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI) in suburban Charlotte, N.C., the country's first technical training school to combine an automotive technology program and a NASCAR-specific motorsports program. NTI is a branch of the Universal Technical Institute.

UPS to date has funded more than $150,000 in scholarships to develop future race shop minority personnel and crew throughout motorsports. The most recent scholarship winners range from a woman who grew up working on go-carts and tractors to a man who began rebuilding Mustangs at age 13. They include:

Misty Koloski, White River Junction, Vt.

Koloski became interested in automotive technology at an early age by working with her brother on a go-cart. Since then, she has fixed tractor engines on her family's dairy farm and manipulated crude metal with plasma cutters, torches and welders. The thrill of competition got her hooked on NASCAR and in five years she would like to become a crew member specializing in engine building or chassis fabrication.

Jonathan McCaulley, Sumter, S.C.

Having learned about NTI through his high school, McCaulley enjoys working on engine parts to better increase performance. He prefers using new technologies because it streamlines the diagnostic and repair process. Upon completion of his automotive coursework, McCaulley plans to learn more about electrical components through the Ford FACT program, a 12-week NTI elective.

Iran Rodriguez, Sanford, Fla.

Following high school graduation, Rodriguez began taking classes at the NTI in September and he already has achieved the second highest grade point average in his class. Cutting-edge automotive developments fascinate him and he enjoys learning how old-school techniques support field innovations. In the near future, Rodriguez anticipates applying his engine coursework to building and installing one in a project car.

Austin Russell, Junction City, Ohio

An avid NASCAR enthusiast, Russell attended a vocational high school where an instructor encouraged his love for automotive technology. With a passion for restoration, Russell owns a 1965 Mustang Coupe and a 1968 Mustang Fastback that he began rebuilding at the age of 13. Russell's long-term goals include owning a restoration shop and performing fabrication in the NASCAR circuit where strict guidelines will challenge him.

Chase Walker, Landis, N.C.

Walker prefers engine work because he enjoys using his hands to generate maximum horsepower by manipulating the moving parts. He favors taking cars apart as opposed to building them because it allows him to better understand the functionalities of each component. After graduation, Walker hopes to perform body or engine work for a high-end dealership as the shop foreman.

The new scholars are beginning their studies as the UPS program produced its first success story. While enrolled last year at NTI, Reginald "Bradley" Douthit had the opportunity to intern with Robert Yates Racing, the owner of the #88 UPS Ford Taurus driven by Dale Jarrett. Outstanding job performance led to a permanent position following his graduation in October 2003, and Douthit entered the 2004 NEXTEL Cup Series building engines.

"The NASCAR Technical Institute was a good experience for Bradley, one that did a great job of getting him acclimated to the NASCAR environment," said Doug Yates, head engine builder for RYR's Engine Department. "It was a great introduction and experience to prepare him for a job in a competitive shop. Bradley is detail-oriented, which is really desirable for engine work, and above all else is a hard worker."

UPS has been the official express delivery company of NASCAR since 2000 and is in its fourth year as primary sponsor of the #88 UPS Ford Taurus driven by Dale Jarrett for Robert Yates Racing. Building on the sport's growing popularity and fan loyalty, UPS has been recognized for a strong marketing platform that links its services to the speed, precision and reliability of NASCAR racing. UPS continues to build new business opportunities directly within the racing community, related automotive and supplier industries and with new revenues through licensed product merchandising.

Criteria for the Racing Technical Edge Scholarship include financial need, automotive work experience and automotive-related career goals. The program is administered by Scholarship America of St. Peter, Minn.