EA Signs Ryan Newman as Cover Athlete and Development Advisor for NASCAR SimRacing

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--Feb. 3, 2005--Electronic Arts announced today that the latest game from its NASCAR(R) videogame franchise from the EA SPORTS(TM) brand, NASCAR(R) SimRacing(TM), will feature NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series(TM) star Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 12 ALLTEL Dodge. In addition to being both cover athlete and spokesperson for the franchise, Newman also worked extensively with the game development team to produce the most realistic NASCAR PC simulation to date. The combination of Newman's engineering background, Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup(TM) participation, and strong gaming experience make him uniquely qualified to be part of the development team for the new PC title.

"It's pretty cool to be on the cover of NASCAR SimRacing, and to have contributed to its development," Newman said. "EA SPORTS is committed to making a hardcore simulation where gamers can experience what it is like to be behind the wheel of their favorite driver's car. They were serious about incorporating my input into the game and the result is a racing experience that is as close to the real thing as I've ever experienced in a PC game."

Newman has a bachelor's degree in Vehicle Structure Engineering from Purdue University where he received many academic honors, including National Honor Society membership. He kicked off his racing career in the '90s, when, following more than 100 feature wins, he was inducted into the Quarter Midget Hall of Fame. Newman later went on to successfully compete in the ARCA and NASCAR Busch Series before becoming a full-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver. The 2005 season will be his fourth full-season in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series competition. In 2004, Newman finished seventh in the inaugural Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, with two wins and a series-high nine pole positions. In 2003, Newman, who races for Penske Racing South, won a series-high eight races and 11 pole positions and was named SPEED Channel Driver of the Year. Newman won his first Cup series victory at New Hampshire in his rookie season in 2002 and captured a win at the Winston all star race. He was named the NASCAR Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year.

About NASCAR SimRacing:

EA SPORTS(TM) presents the new standard in NASCAR PC racing: NASCAR SimRacing. Created by NASCAR veteran game designers and tested by NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers like Ryan Newman, NASCAR SimRacing is the perfect combination of realism, true racing 'feel,' depth, and advanced EA SPORTS presentation. Thunder down the straightaway at Daytona International Speedway(R) alongside 42 other live drivers online as Voice Over IP talk mixes with the roar of V8 engines in surround sound. In the first ever NASCAR PC Career Mode, battle against 60 licensed NASCAR Drivers on 25 authentic tracks in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, Busch, and Craftsman Truck Series. Then watch full race replays and analyze in-depth telemetry data to improve your skills.

NASCAR SimRacing is being designed expressly for simulation fans by a dedicated PC development team at EA Tiburon. The game will be on store shelves February 15th and is rated "E" for (Everyone) by the ESRB.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, Calif., is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, EA posted revenues of $2.96 billion for fiscal 2004. The company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers and the Internet. In 2003, EA had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. Electronic Arts markets its products under three brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA GAMES(TM) and EA SPORTS BIG(TM). EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, NASCAR, is the sanctioning body for one of America's premier sports. NASCAR has 75 million fans spread throughout the U.S., ranks second among sports in television ratings, is among the leaders in professional sports in licensed product sales, and has more Fortune 500 company involvement than any other sport. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in Charlotte, New York and Los Angeles, NASCAR sanctions 1,800 races at 120 tracks in 38 states.

Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, EA GAMES, EA SPORTS BIG and SimRacing are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. NASCAR and Chase for the Cup are all trademarks of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. All other car, team, track names, trademarks, and other intellectual property are used under license and are the property of their respective owners.