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Sonic Automotive, Inc. Added to Russell 3000 Index

12 June 2000

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Added to Russell 3000 Index

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Sonic Automotive, Inc. announced today that it was added
to the Russell 3000 Index effective June 9, 2000.  The Russell 3000 Index 
measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total 
market capitalization.

    B. Scott Smith, President and Chief Operating Officer of Sonic Automotive,
Inc., was quoted as saying, "Sonic's addition to the Russell 3000 Index,
coupled with its recent addition to the 1999 Fortune 500, exemplifies the
Company's track record of continued growth."

    About Sonic Automotive, Inc.

    Sonic Automotive, Inc. is the second largest automotive retailer in the
United States.  Including pending acquisitions, the Company operates 169
franchises and 31 collision repair centers in Alabama, California, Florida,
Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.  Sonic had revenues of $3.4 billion in 1999, an
increase of 109% over 1998.  The revenue run rate is estimated at over
$6 billion for 2000.  The Company has also experienced ten consecutive
quarters of greater than 50% growth in earnings per share. 

    Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with
respect to anticipated revenue growth.  There are many factors which affect
management's views about future events and trends of the Company's business.
These factors involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results
or trends to differ materially from management's view, including without
limitation economic conditions, risks associated with acquisitions and the
risk factors set forth from time to time in the Company's recent filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.