Verizon Wireless Signs On as Official Wireless Provider of Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie

DALLAS, TX — Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless communications provider, today announced it has been named the "Official Wireless Provider" for Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie.

"We are thrilled to be working with Lone Star Park," said Cindy Patterson, regional president for Verizon Wireless in Central Texas. "We are looking forward to an active relationship. This agreement will help create additional brand awareness to a wide variety of audiences for both organizations."

Verizon Wireless will supply all wireless hardware and services for the park for the next three years. The agreement also provides Verizon Wireless with significant signage and the opportunity to develop local promotional programs with the park. For example, March 16-April 21, patrons can register at any of the 33 Verizon Wireless Communication Stores in North Texas to win a trip for two to the 127th Kentucky Derby courtesy of Lone Star Park. During that time, with any purchase and activation, customers will receive a free Lone Star Trackpack.

"As one of the premier tracks in the country, we are excited about our relationship with the premier provider of wireless service," said Chris Thomas manager of corporate partnerships for Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie. "We feel that our fan demographic is a perfect fit for branding Verizon Wireless and their products. We have worked to build a relationship that will not only increase brand awareness, but also energize demand for their product."

Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie is one of the most elegant racetracks in America and home of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) All-Star Jockey Championship. Located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the contemporary Texas track has quickly become a major league sports entertainment attraction in arguably one of the most competitive sports markets in the country.

More than 5.8 million fans have wagered $1 billion at the facility since horse racing began in April 1997. This year, Lone Star Park has attracted more than 1.3 million patrons - second only to The Ballpark in Arlington (Texas Rangers) in local major league sports attendance - who have wagered more than $240 million on-track.

Race meetings are conducted twice a year. Thoroughbreds are showcased during the 15-week, 74-day meeting from April 5-July 15, 2001. American Quarter Horses take center stage at the Fall Meeting of Champions, an 11-week, 33-day season from Sept. 20-Dec. 1, 2001.

Lone Star Park's world-class entertainment facility includes a seven-level, glass enclosed/climate-controlled Grandstand, sun-shaded Courtyard of Champions and state-of-the-art, Las Vegas-style Post Time Pavilion simulcast center. The track is located approximately 10 miles south of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and one-half mile north of I-30 off Belt Line Road in Grand Prairie at 1000 Lone Star Parkway.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with 27.5 million wireless voice and data customers. The new coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Bell Atlantic Corp. and GTE Corp -- now Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) -- and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). The new company includes the assets of Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular, GTE Wireless, PrimeCo Personal Communications and AirTouch Paging. The company has a footprint covering nearly 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 96 of the top 100 U.S. markets. Verizon Wireless, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 38,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

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