---

ATLANTIC: Wells Withdraws His Swifts

25 April 1998

NAZARETH, PA. - Team owner Cal Wells III announced today Precision Preparation, Inc. (PPI) is withdrawing both the MCI-sponsored entry, driven by Anthony Lazzaro, and the Panasonic Duskin-sponsored entry, driven by Masaoki Nagashima, from this weekend's KOOL/Toyota Atlantic Championship race at Nazareth Speedway.

Yesterday Lazzaro, of Acworth, Ga., driving the number 25 MCI Atlantic entry, made contact with the wall in Turn Two of the one-mile oval. Lazzaro was transferred to Easton Hospital, where he was kept overnight for observation. He was examined by hospital doctors this morning and released with a clean bill of health.

"Based on our preliminary investigation of the accident yesterday of the number 25 MCI car, it is the team's decision to withdraw from competition at this weekend's Nazareth race," said Wells. "While it is a huge disappointment to our sponsors, our team and drivers, we do not feel a complete investigation of the component failure that put Anthony [Lazzaro] into the wall and in the hospital has been answered. Until it is, we have determined it is not safe to compete. It is unfortunate that the reaction time available will not allow us the necessary time to resolve not only the problem for our car but for all the Swifts."