Tuesday
Mike Bliss 2009 Daytona NCWTS Race Preview
Press ReleaseSTARTING THE SEASON – The NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway is the first of six races former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Mike Bliss will be racing with Key Motorsports. Following Daytona, Bliss will pilot the No. 40 Chevrolet Silverado in California (February 21), Atlanta (March 7), Martinsville (March 28), Charlotte (May 15), and Dover (May 29).
SECOND TIME IS A CHARM – This will be Mike Bliss’ second time beginning the season at Daytona with Key Motorsports. In the 2007 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season-opener, Bliss was on his way to a top-10 finish in the No. 40 Chevrolet Silverado when he was collected in a multi-truck wreck on the 85th lap, relegating him to a 23rd place finish.
LOOKING FOR LUCK – Despite his impressive statistics in the series, Daytona International Speedway has not been kind to the 2002 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion. Bliss, who has 13 NCWTS wins and 107 top-10 finishes, has finished no better than 22nd at the track.
NEW MAN IN CHARGE – Calling the shots on the pit box and at in the shop for 2009 is Camping World Truck Series veteran Gary Showalter. Gary served as Truck Chief for Key Motorsports in 2008 before being promoted to Crew Chief for 2009. In his 37-year career in racing, Showalter has worked for several top teams, including Joe Gibbs Racing and Billy Ballew Motorsports.
Mike Bliss Quotes and Facts:
ON KEY MOTORSPORTS – “I am very excited to begin the season with Key Motorsports. I’ve had good results with the team in the past, and I look forward to building on our previous efforts. It should be a fun season.”
ON DAYTONA – “The two most important aspects of Daytona are the engine, and staying out of trouble. I know that Key Motorsports has put a lot of effort into their motor program for 2009, so I’m confident about our power under the hood. If we can stay out of trouble until the end, I know that we can have a good race.”
Mike Bliss NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Stats at Daytona:
|
No. |
Year |
Start |
Finish |
Laps |
Notes |
|
16 |
2002 |
3 |
33 |
34/100 |
Engine |
|
16 |
2006 |
19 |
22 |
101/102 |
Running |
|
40 |
2007 |
32 |
23 |
85/100 |
Crash |
|
71 |
2008 |
26 |
33 |
23/100 |
Crash |
Race length: 100 Laps/ 250 Miles
Banking/Turns: 31-degrees in turns; 3-degrees in straightaways
Track layout: 2.5-mile
Shape: Tri-Oval
Schedule:
Wednesday:
Practice: 12:00 PM – 1:50 PM EST
5:00 PM – 5:50 PM EST
Thursday:
Final Practice: 11:15 AM – 1:20 PM EST
Qualifying: 6:10 PM EST
Friday Race Coverage:
TV: The Nextera Energy Resources 250 can be seen on SPEED at 8:00 PM EST
Radio: The Motor Racing Network (MRN) will broadcast live at 8:00 PM EST
Key Motorsports, Press Release
Article Tags: Press Release, Truck Series
