KEY MOTORSPORTS SUFFERS ENGINE FAILURE AT NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY; 
FINISHES 34th IN NEW ENGLAND 200

Key Motorsports team members unloaded the No. 40 Chevrolet at New Hampshire Motor Speedway focused on a positive result in Saturday's New England 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series event. Their tireless effort coupled with the abilities of veteran driver Mike Bliss placed the unsponsored machine 13th in the 43-car running order with 53 laps remaining when misfortune struck in the form of a cracked piston, relegating the No. 40 Key Motorsports Chevrolet to a 34th-place finish.

Key Motorsports Driver Mike Bliss talks race strategy with Key Motorsports Crew Chief Gary Showalter Saturday at New Hampshire / Key Motorsports PR

The diligence of Bliss and the Key Motorsports crew bore fruit off the trailer with the team 11th on the speed chart in Happy Hour, after completing a combined 43 laps of practice during both Friday sessions.

Bliss had a great start to the New England 200, taking the green flag from the 21st starting spot and moving into the top-20 within the initial 10 laps of the 200-lap contest. The Oregon native carefully engineered his moves through the field to occupy the 15th position at the half-way point, continuing forward to 13th when the engine let go on lap 147, bringing out caution number three of the day.

Key Motorsports crew members are servicing the No. 40 Chevrolet in the early stages of the race / Key Motorsports PR

"We had a good car today, just working our way through there when the motor broke. It's disappointing," said Bliss. "We've had some real good runs going in the 40 car this year, our results haven't reflected the performance this team is capable of. Hopefully we are past our bad luck and look forward to next week at Daytona."

Key Motorsports crew chief Gary Showalter complimented Bliss and the Key Motorsports team on their efforts at New Hampshire.

"Mike and the guys were on their game at New Hampshire," said Showalter. "The crew prepared a good car and Mike was real patient in the race. We were working on a top-10 finish and weren't expecting any motor problems. It's hard to swallow when you have good cars."

Mike Bliss piloting the No. 40 Key Motorsports Chevrolet from the 21st starting position up to the 13th position prior to suffering engine failure / Key Motorsports PR

Key Motorsports is currently 25th in NASCAR Nationwide Series owner points going to Daytona. Mike Bliss will be behind the wheel of the Westerman Companies/Key Motorsports Chevrolet No. 40 in the Subway Jalepeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, July 2, 2010.

KEY MOTORSPORTS/MIKE BLISS NATIONWIDE SERIES ADVANCE NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Mike Bliss will pilot an unsponsored No. 40 Key Motorsports Chevrolet in the New England 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Saturday June 26,2009, race number 16 on the 2010 schedule. Bliss is familiar with the 1.058 mile flat track located in the Granite State, having finished fourth in the Nationwide event held there last June.

Key Motorsports personnel have worked feverishly over the past few days to provide Bliss with the best car possible, loading the No. 40 into the teams 18-wheel transporter with the goal their tireless efforts will pay off with a top 15 finish in Saturday's 175-lap battle of man and machine. "The car should be good in New Hampshire, Mike knows how to get around there and knows what he wants in the car," shared Crew Chief Gary Showalter.

QUOTES AND FACTS

SPONSORLESS - The Key Motorsports Chevrolet will appear sponsorless at New Hampshire this weekend, as team owner Curtis Key continues a search for brand building partnerships to enhance both campaigns. A consistent weekly effort with a guaranteed starting position combines for a successful outing to those who are entertaining employees and clients in New Hampshire as well as other stops on the 35-race tour. "We have a viable program with many opportunities available for a number of situations," offers Key.

FAMILIAR SCENERY - Key Motorsports history at New Hampshire Motor Speedway goes back to 2006, when the organization began competing in NASCAR Truck Series events at the picturesque facility constructed by the Bahre family. Fielding entries for Ryan Moore, Chad Chaffin and Paul Poulter in Truck Series competition at Loudon, Key Motorsports made it's Nationwide Series Debut at NHIS in 2009 with Scott Wimmer in the seat.

LONG DRIVE - The Key Motorsports Team transporter, equipped with everything needed for a weekend at the track, traveled 16 hours from the shop in Mooresville, North Carolina to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire, arriving on the grounds Wednesday, June 23. Heading back to Mooresville at the conclusion of the New England 200 on Saturday, June 26, the Key Motorsports 18-wheel rig is scheduled to be reloaded and parked at the Daytona International Speedway Tuesday morning, June 29, 2010.

ON NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY -

Race length: 175 laps/ 185.15 miles, Track layout: 1.058- mile speedway, Shape: Oval.

NATIONWIDE WEEKEND SCHEDULE - All times are ET

Thursday, June 24 - 11:30 am - Haulers Enter

Friday, June 25 - 10:30 am - 11:20 am Practice 1:40 pm - 3:00 pm Final Practice

Saturday, June 26 10:05 am Qualifying 3:30 pm New England 200 Nationwide Series Race (green flag 3:46 pm)

The New England 200 will be televised live on ESPN beginning at 2:30 pm ET.