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Sprint Nextel Joins with NASSP and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series(TM) Drivers to Tell Virginia Teens: ''Focus on Driving''

RICHMOND, Va.--Oct. 1, 20057, 2005--Sprint Nextel :

-- Following Successful Orlando, Fla. Pilot, Focus on Driving Education Program Now Available to Virginia Teens

-- NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Drivers Star in Focus on Driving Public Service Announcements

Sprint Nextel , in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), today announced that Virginia high schools are among the first in the nation to participate in "Focus on Driving," a new drivers education program created by Sprint Nextel to educate teen drivers about the importance of attentive driving.

"When you are behind the wheel of a car, driving must be your top priority," said Brian McIntee, Sprint Nextel area vice president for Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. "We believe the best way to eliminate distracted driving from the roads and highways of our communities is to educate drivers to the importance of attentive driving. By targeting teen drivers, the Focus on Driving program seeks to stop bad driving habits with teens before they begin."

As part of today's announcement, Sprint Nextel unveiled a series of television public service announcements starring NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers Kyle Busch, Travis Kvapil and Kasey Kahne, which promote the Focus on Driving program and the importance of attentive driving. After showing a young driver distracted by a wireless phone, eating, writing, adjusting the radio and other activities, each spot closes with a different NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver making the following statement: 


    "Taking the wheel is a ton of responsibility, even for a
    professional like me. Whether I'm on the track or on the road, I 
    focus on driving. You should, too."

Focus on Driving, which was introduced in 2003 as a pilot program in the Orange County Public Schools in Orlando, Florida, is now available free of charge to driver education teachers and students in Virginia as well as Arizona, California, Florida and Washington state. The national expansion will continue on a state-by-state basis throughout the remainder of the 2005-2006 school year. Created by Sprint Nextel in consultation with the NASSP and Orange County Public Schools driver education teachers and high school students, Focus on Driving is designed to educate teenagers about the importance of attentive driving before they get behind the wheel for the first time. Student focus groups helped create a resource that speaks to teens in their own language, using real-world examples.

"As educators, we are always challenged to find new ways of engaging students regarding civic responsibility and leadership," said Gerald N. Tirozzi, Ph.D., executive director for NASSP. "Focus on Driving takes a unique approach to meeting that challenge by giving students the opportunity to learn from their peers, not just their teachers, and to take responsibility for practicing safe and attentive driving."

Along with NASSP, the program has also been endorsed by the state highway patrols in Florida and Washington state.

Participating schools receive free teacher and student guides, parent-student pledge cards, classroom posters and an instructional video. In addition, schools may request guest instructors from Sprint Nextel.

To learn more about the Focus on Driving program or to order the free program materials, visit www.sprint.com/focusondriving or email focusondriving@sprint.com.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business and government customers. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks offering industry leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and an award-winning and global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.

About NASSP

The National Association of Secondary School Principals--the preeminent organization and the national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals and aspiring school leaders--provides its members the professional resources to serve as visionary leaders. NASSP promotes the intellectual growth, academic achievement, character development, leadership development, and physical well-being of youth through its programs and student leadership services. NASSP sponsors the National Honor Society(TM), the National Junior Honor Society(TM), and the National Association of Student Councils(TM). For more information on NASSP or its student organizations, visit www.principals.org.