Catchfence

Mooresville, NC (March 30, 2010) – Young stock car phenom Marc Davis, 19, preps this week to get back in the stock car seat – his first NASCAR-style race among his fellow Nationwide Series competitors since the emotional & devastating loss of his father Harry; team owner, father figure to many, & a major activist for diversity in the sport. Davis will be making his dramatic return to racing with his own team, Marc Davis Motorsports (MDM) in the #36 TheWordNetwork.org/WHUR Howard University Radio Chevrolet at the 3rd Annual Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown to benefit the Denny Hamlin Foundation at Southside Speedway in Midlothian, VA, April 29th, 2010.

Davis has triumphed over adversity this Winter, fresh off the 3rd place finish in the Inaugural Freestate 500 in South Africa with the American Speed Association on January 31st, 2010, dedicated to his father Harry. He also had the tough task of dealing with the heartache of becoming a young team owner (of Marc Davis Motorsports) & burying a father in their home state of Maryland; in the same month. Marc is the most accomplished & advanced African-American driver to date in NASCAR, serving as a role model to millions of young diversity drivers across the country.

“It feels great to be able to put all my energy & enthusiasm back into what I know best – my driving career & racing against great racers like Denny, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch and others,” said Davis. “This is what my dad & I have worked for my whole life, to achieve my dream of a successful, competitive NASCAR career. It’s not only what he would have wanted, it’s a message to kids everywhere that if you work hard, never give up, and keep focused on your goals; no obstacle can stand in your way. The team around me at MDM recognizes that, as well as Denny and Buck Reuss, Director of Competition at the Denny Hamlin Foundation; plus my potential for this race – for that, I’m completely humbled & grateful for the opportunity. I’m excited to be able to do it for the charities that the Denny Hamlin Foundation represents.”

Former Gibbs Racing teammate & Denny Hamlin Foundation President (?) Denny Hamlin echoed the sentiments, saying, “We’re excited to have Marc Davis on board in what will be a super competitive race at Southside. This annual Showdown that we host has grown each year and we are fortunate enough to have some of the most talented drivers in the region, like Marc, to compete with.”

“For the last two years, it hasn’t been about me,” Davis continued. “I’ve had the pressure of performing as a representative for the African-American community, as well as being a young driver in an awesome, tough sport; and my dad protected me from that pressure of the business. Now, add the pressure of being the youngest Team Owner in NASCAR. My dad is watching over me, and he knows I’m mature enough to handle that pressure and be a great driver – I don’t think he’d have it any other way, nothing has ever come easy for us (and shouldn’t). With the right opportunities, it’s truly time to show what I can do in this sport. To you, Dad.”

ABOUT MARC DAVIS & MARC DAVIS MOTORSPORTS:

Marc Davis, at age 19, is the youngest team owner & driver in NASCAR. His career to date has included racing in NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series & Nationwide Series; & the esteemed driver development program at Joe Gibbs Racing. For more information, please visit MarcDavisMotorsports.com or Twitter: www.Twitter.com/nascarmdavis

ABOUT DENNY HAMLIN FOUNDATION:

The Denny Hamlin Foundation was created in 2008 to aid in raising awareness and funding for Cystic Fibrosis research and treatment, as well as to support other not for profit corporations that focus on aiding children with debilitating illnesses. Online tickets for the Short Track Showdown are available NOW, exclusively at www.dennyhamlinfoundation.org. All proceeds from ticket sales, an online auction and raffles will benefit the Denny Hamlin Foundation. For more information on the event, please log onto www.dennyhamlinfoundation.org.

- Marc Davis Motorsports Press Release