Bill Lester to Drive into NASCAR(R) History in Hometown Atlanta

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series(TM) driver Bill Lester will makehistory this weekend, piloting the No. 23 Waste Management NASCAR(R)entry for Bill Davis Racing in the Golden Corral 500 at the AtlantaMotor Speedway (Fox, 1:30 p.m.). Lester, fulfilling a lifelong dream,will be the first black driver to attempt to qualify for a NASCARNEXTEL Cup Series(TM) race in 20 years.

Lester's racing career is marked by a series of firsts. He was thefirst African-American to compete in a NASCAR Busch Series(TM) eventin 1999, the first to win a pole for a modern-era NASCAR(R) race atLowe's Motor Speedway in 2003, and the first to lead a top divisionNASCAR(R) race in two decades. Today, Houston-based Waste Management,sponsor of Lester's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team since 2004,announced that it will step up its commitment to Lester and supporthis historic run in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series in 2006.

"What Bill Lester has accomplished on and off the track makes usvery proud to have him as an ambassador for our company," said DavidSteiner, Waste Management Chief Executive Officer. "Waste Managementis committed to the encouragement of personal achievement as well asto diversity in the workplace, and our support of Lester - as well asthe other drivers on our racing team - is a big part of that. Webelieve in Lester and see an amazing opportunity for him to makemotorsports history."

Driving the No. 22 Waste Management Toyota Tundra in the NASCARCraftsman Truck Series for Bill Davis Racing, Lester capturedback-to-back poles at Kansas Speedway and Kentucky Speedway in 2005and was one of the top all-around qualifiers for the entire season.His on-track success, determination and competitiveness throughout2005 inspired Waste Management to starting thinking in terms of Cupcontention.

The newest Nextel Cup team will have their chance this weekend,when Lester races in both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck and NASCAR NEXTELCup races under the Waste Management banner at Atlanta Motor Speedway.Lester's inaugural NASCAR NEXTEL Cup qualifying run will take place at7:10 p.m. on March 17 at the AMS, just after his Craftsman TruckSeries qualifier at 5:10 p.m. and before the Craftsman Truck SeriesRace at 9:10 p.m. Both events will be broadcast on the SPEED Channel.

"To say I am proud and honored to have this company behind me isan understatement," said Lester. "Their commitment to diversity,alone, is laudable, but the fact that they really believe in me andsupport me so thoroughly is really meaningful. Getting to know theiremployees and values has made me feel like a part of their family, andI couldn't think of a better partner to join me in this momentousopportunity. To have Waste Management on both my Toyota Tundra truckand Nextel Cup Dodge is terrific, and I will definitely be 'thinkinggreen' this weekend."

ABOUT THE TEAM:

Waste Management, Inc. is its industry's leading provider ofcomprehensive waste management and environmental services. Based inHouston, the Company serves municipal, commercial, industrial, andresidential customers throughout North America. WMI extends itsdiversity initiative through Team Waste Management, the company's ownracing team, comprised of Sterling Marlin, Bill Lester, JesusHernandez and Allison Duncan. For more information, visitwww.wm.com.

Bill Davis Racing is owned by Bill and Gail Davis and has beenracing in NASCAR(R) since 1988. The team is the Winner of the 2002Daytona 500, and is one of few elite teams to win races in all threemajor NASCAR(R) divisions - Craftsman Truck Series; Busch GrandNational Series; and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Seewww.BillDavisRacing.com

Bill Lester information is also available at www.BillLester.comand at www.BillLesterInfo.com