#40 TIMVOTE.COM CHEVROLET PROVIDES 8th DISTRICT WITH “COME FROM BEHIND” PERFORMANCE IN 12th PLACE FINISH

Mike Bliss propelled the #40 TimVote.com Chevrolet to a 12th place and lead-lap finish in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series TECH-NET Auto Service 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Scheduling concerns at the venue over making up for rain the night before, and performing in the center of NASCAR racing, added pressure that the Key Motorsports easily overcame.

Bliss approached qualifying with trepidation after a hard rain the night before washed the track clean of rubber. The cautious method ensured the #40 TimVote.com Chevrolet, which was locked into the field by virtue of owner’s points, would not risk the need for a backup car at the track in the home of racing. Key Motorsports driver Mike Bliss stands proudly in front of the Red, White and Blue #40 TimVote.com Chevrolet in preparation for in Memorial Day weekend ride supporting Tim D’Annunzio./KeyMotorsports PR

Much ado was made concerning two prior wins the Oregon native enjoyed at Charlotte Motor Speedway including last year’s running of this event, bringing a lot of broadcast attention to the Tim D’Annunzio’s efforts to reach Congress through his sponsorship of the #40 Chevrolet.

Starting 36th gave Mike Bliss a great view of two rapid-fire wrecks during the attempts to start the TECH-NET Auto Service 300 in the first ten laps. Through careful maneuvering the #40 TimVote.com Chevrolet appeared on the other side of both incidents without any damage. “The third time’s the charm,” held true as the Nationwide competitors achieved their first green run of over five laps following a restart with Curtis Key’s Nationwide car already up to 19th. The #40 TimVote.com Chevrolet of Key Motorsports accelerates out of turn 4 at Charlotte Motor Speedway./KeyMotorsports PR

Ten cars were retired from the course by the 36th circuit, and seven others had been lapped by the leader. The Key Motorsports Chevrolet consistently moved up among the front-runners, gaining positions throughout the intervals on the track. The possibility of rain weighed on the minds of many teams after the halfway point, but the adverse weather never delivered on the threat.

The past Camping World Truck Series champion easily avoided two more incidents, falling one lap down during the course of the day. This was resolved with what normally would have been 4 laps to go, as the #40 TimVote.com Chevrolet had moved into the “Free Pass” position and gained the lap back to become one of only 15 cars with a chance at winning the Queen City affair.

The Key Motorsports team’s patience was tested as another incident generated a “Green-White-Checkered” finish. The opportunity provided by the three extra laps along with some persistence provided a few more positions to allow the #40 program its second-best finish of 2010. Mike Bliss moves up two positions in driver’s points and Curtis Key vaults three places in the owner’s standings to rank both in 23rd respectively. The anatomy of a pit stop; The Key Motorsports pit crew services the #40 Timvote.com Chevrolet while crew chief Gary Showalter and other members direct the activity from atop the pit cart./KeyMotorsports PR

The NASCAR Nationwide Series splits its schedule from supporting the Cup Series next week, permitting Jeff Green to return as the #40 Key Motorsports Chevrolet’s driver for the Federated Auto Parts 300 on Saturday, June 5th. This will be the second Nashville Superspeedway event of the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule.

D’ANNUNZIO PARTNERS WITH #40 KEY MOTORSPORTS CHEVROLET FOR “RACE TO THE RUN-OFF”

Visitors flocking to the turnstiles at the track in the heart of racing will see Mike Bliss in the #40 TimVote.com Chevrolet turning laps around Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. Key Motorsports will place the incumbent NASCAR Nationwide Series race winner in the driver’s seat for the TECH-NET Auto Service 300 on Saturday May 29th. Aspiring Congressman Tim D’Annunzio places his website on the hood of Curtis Key’s Nationwide entry in preparation for the 8th District Republican run-off June 22nd. The #40 TimVote.com Chevrolet of Key Motorsports is emblazoned with red, white and blue for the Memorial Day weekend’s TECH-NET Auto Services 300./Key Motorsports PR

In seeking to “Win Back America” D’Annunzio has garnered the support of many in the racing community. The 8th district is where Charlotte Motor Speedway is located, as well as the magnet for the population of race shops known as “Race City” although they are sprawled along many cities through the rural hills and countryside. Former driver and team owner Lake Speed says of D’Annunzio “Like our nation's founders he's pledged his life, fortune and sacred honor restoring our nation to its principles.”

Key Motorsports team is working with D’Annunzio’s campaign to help get the word out concerning the U.S. Army Infantry veteran’s dream of “Returning to the Constitution — Restoring the American Dream.” Team owner Curtis Key, Sr strongly encourages all fans to peruse the TimVote.com website and decide for themselves, the very essence of voting and the political process, then vote for Tim D’Annunzio after seeing what he stands for. Driver Mike Bliss chats with Key Motorsports crew member while the #40 Chevrolet is in line on pit road./Key Motorsports PR

Bliss is the returning champion of last year’s Memorial Day weekend Nationwide event at this track. The driver’s successful history at the Queen City track reflects another win in the fall of 2004, 3 more Top-5 finishes including 2nd place after his most recent start last fall, with a Top-10 start and finish in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Key Motorsports has garnered one Top-10 finish at the track and seeks a return with similar success.

Quotes and Facts:

TEAM MEMBERS HAVE FAMILY SUPPORT — The extra weekend between the series most recent race and the Nationwide Charlotte appearance gave team members a much-needed break to spend time with their families. “Every one of our guys appreciates each moment they can spend at home with their loved ones,” crew chief Gary Showalter contributed.

NAMESAKE DRAWS ATTENTION – The then fan-favorite Curtis Turner initiated the construction of Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1959. It’s the only venue that claims, “all six of the track’s NASCAR-sanctioned events are run under the lights.” While Curtis Turner’s popularity faltered then returned, Curtis Key, Sr.’s popularity continues to blossom.

ON CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY - 
Race length: 200 Laps/300 Miles, Track layout: 1.5 Mile Superspeedway, Shape: Oval

NATIONWIDE WEEKEND SCHEDULE -
All times are EDT
Wednesday, 5:00 p.m. — Haulers Enter

Thursday, 2:00 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. —
Practice; 5:10 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. — Final Practice

Friday, no activity

Saturday, 9:35 a.m. — Qualifying; 2:30 p.m. — TECH-NET Auto Services 300

Concord, NC hosts the NASCAR Nationwide Series TECH-NET Auto Services 300 on Saturday, May 29th, 2010 with ABC pre-race coverage from Charlotte Motor Speedway beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern.

Defending winner Mike Bliss for this weekend’s TECH-NET Auto Services 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway contemplates setup changes being made to the #40 Chevrolet recently./Key Motorsports PR