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MIKE BLISS BRINGS WESTERMAN COMPANIES/KEY MOTORSPORTS TEAM 17th PLACE FINISH AT BRISTOL
Mooresville, NC (August 23. 2010) Continuing a streak of top-20 performances that began nearly two months ago, Mike Bliss maintained a consistent pace throughout the Food City 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race Friday night at the lightning fast Bristol Motor Speedway to bring the Westerman Companies/Key Motorsports
Chevrolet home in the top-20 for the eighth week in a row. With Westerman Starting 41st after experiencing a loose condition in a qualifying session that sent an unusually high number of cars to the garage for repairs, Bliss stood on the gas at the drop of the green, gaining 11 spots in the first 15 laps of the 250-lap contest. Comfortably holding position for the next 40 laps, veteran Bliss sized up the competition before implementing strategy that would take the Westerman Chevrolet as high as sixth in the running order at mid-point of the race. Relying on crew chief Gary Showalter and the Key Motorsports pit crew for service to the Westerman Companies No. 40, Bliss stayed in the hunt after each of his visits to the tight quarters of the Bristol pit area, keeping pace in the top-half of the field over the final 100 laps. The Westerman Companies/Key Motorsports team survived the destruction that was responsible for seven of the eight caution periods displayed during the night, improving twenty-four positions by race end to be credited with 17th in the final rundown. “We came to Bristol hoping for a better finish,” shared Bliss. “This Westerman Companies Chevrolet ran good tonight, we had a top-10 car but had to come in to repair the right front towards the end and that cost us a lot of track position. The guys on the crew did a good job for us, Gary works hard with them and it is showing every week. We’ll keep working at it and see what happens. I want to thank Curtis Key for providing a competitive car week in and week out and Westerman Companies, we appreciate everything they do. We wouldn’t be here without them.”
Checking up to avoid a lap 218 melee, the Westerman Companies Chevrolet received damage to the right front fender after being drop kicked from behind, forcing Bliss to the attention of Showalter and the crew for repairs. “We were on track for a top-10 until that unscheduled stop with about 30 to go.” offered Showalter. We gave up 10 spots to come in but needed to make sure we could finish the race, so what do you do. We held our own on pit stops, the crew did a good job. I am happy with their effort this week and was happy with the car. This is another example of our finish not reflecting how good the car was. We’ll try again next week.” Key Motorsports team owner Curtis Key says that while he is pleased to continue the recent string of consistency the team is enjoying, he feels Key Motorsports is ready to move forward. “The consistency we were looking for is coming together with eight top-20’s in the past eight weeks,” said Key. We will continue to work at moving our program forward and are confident we have the people and equipment to accomplish our goals I want to thank every member of our organization for their efforts, especially Westerman Companies for their support at Bristol.” Key Motorsports with driver Mike Bliss return to NASCAR Nationwide Series action Sunday, August 29 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada. WESTERMAN COMPANIES / KEY MOTORSPORTS AND DRIVER MIKE BLISS RETURN TO BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY SEEKING TO REPEAT TOP-10 PERFORMANCE
Key Motorsports with driver Mike Bliss return to Bristol Motor Speedway for Friday night’s Food City 250, the independent NASCAR Nationwide Series team prepared for the challenges of close competition on the ultra-fast short track that is known for high attrition rates, taking its toll on driver, crew and equipment.
Featuring the predominately green colors of sponsor Westerman Companies, an immaculate car No. 40 will have the attention of executives of the long time sponsor and their Bliss and the Key Motorsports team orchestrated their best showing of 2010 to date in the spring event at the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile,” starting 41st in the 43-car field with the veteran driver avoiding nine major accidents to cross the finish line 8th after 300 grueling laps. Key Motorsports Chevrolets have completed every Nationwide Series race the team has entered at Bristol, recording finishes of 22nd and 21st in 2009. Key Motorsports driver Mike Bliss is a veteran in NASCAR racing, Bliss has experience in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series as well as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series / Key Motosports PR Seeking to repeat a top-10 performance this weekend, Key Motorsports crew chief Gary Showalter feels the team has a capable car and driver that will deliver results. “We have a good car for Bristol,” said Showalter. “The guys in the shop have worked hard getting this car ready, they have really come together and put forth a serious effort for this race. Everyone on this team wants to do a good job for Westerman; they are a great partner and have been so supportive of our team. We are looking forward to going back to Bristol and having another top-10.”
With Bliss bringing the Westerman Companies/Key Motorsports Chevrolet home in the top-20 for the past seven consecutive weeks, a top-10 finish this weekend will work to build on the momentum established by the team this season. Currently riding 22nd in Nationwide owner points, a good finish at Bristol will also serve
to overcome the seven-point deficit needed to move into 21st in the standings, as the team eyes a top-20 by year-end. “I like running Bristol,” shared Bliss. “It’s a fast place and you have to stay on your toes. I have always enjoyed racing there and looking forward to going back this weekend and seeing everyone from Westerman and all the fans. We have had some of our best races with Westerman this year and really appreciate their support at Bristol.” The Key Motorsports No. 40 Chevrolet Impala is very thankful for the partnership with Westerman Companies / Key Motorports PR ON BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Race length: 250 laps/133.24 miles
NATIONWIDE SCHEDULE: ALL TIMES ARE ET The NASCAR Nationwide Series Food City 250 event from Bristol, TN will be shown on ESPN beginning at 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 20, 2010
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guests as the Key Motorsports team battles to extend the organizations collection of consistent finishes at one of the
toughest stops on the circuit.
