Wednesday

India’s First Formula One Driver To Make Debut In NASCAR

Filed under Press Releases, Truck Series

“Will debut at Martinsville in the Kroger 250 with No. 60 SafeAuto Chevrolet Truck”

Charlotte, N.C. (March 17, 2010) Starbeast Motorsports Founder Miguel Abaroa is pleased to announce that driver Narain Karthikeyan «NA-rain kar-thee-KAY-un» will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut on March 27 in the Kroger 250 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Karthikeyan, who is India’s first NASCAR driver, will drive the Wyler Racing No. 60 SafeAuto Chevrolet Silverado. Karthikeyan previously tested an ARCA car at Daytona International Speedway in December and brings 22 seasons of experience in open wheel racing including Formula 1 and the Le Mans Series.

“The opportunity to compete in a NASCAR series is a dream come true for me,” said Karthikeyan. “I have raced all over the world, but this is a different kind of challenge for me and I look forward to learning everything I can about racing in this environment. NASCAR is known for its passionate fans. I am excited to be introducing India to this sport and hope to help develop an equally passionate fan base there.”

Newly formed Starbeast Motorsports is focused on bringing NASCAR to the international community through foreign drivers. Karthikeyan is the center of Starbeast’s efforts to grow the sport in India.

“After his success in Formula 1, Narain has become one of India’s most popular athletes and the obvious choice to introduce NASCAR to the subcontinent,” said Abaroa. “His story is that of a motorsports pioneer, and this next chapter will be his most compelling.”

Starbeast Motorsports and Karthikeyan have entered into an agreement with Wyler Racing for the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. Karthikeyan will race the No. 60 in select races to be announced at a later date. SafeAuto Insurance will serve as the primary sponsor after signing a multi-year agreement with Wyler Racing and driver Stacy Compton in 2009.

“We have always had a desire to work with drivers to help with their transition into NASCAR,” said Stacy Compton, who has driven in 27 events for Wyler Racing since partnering with the team last year. Compton will serve as a driver coach to help assist Karthikeyan as he makes the transition from open wheel racing to NASCAR.

“SafeAuto is excited to have such an accomplished Formula 1 driver behind the wheel of our race truck,” commented Jon Diamond, president of SafeAuto, “Many of our customers are fans of NASCAR and we are looking forward to being part of taking this sport to an international level.”

About SafeAuto

SafeAuto Insurance Company is a property and casualty insurance company based in Columbus, Ohio. Today, the company provides the state required minimum insurance coverage to automobile drivers in 14 states including Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Illinois, Missouri, Arizona, Oklahoma and Texas. SafeAuto is a direct-to-consumer automobile insurance company offering auto insurance over the phone via its famous 1-800-SafeAuto toll free phone number or by logging on to SafeAuto.com. For more information visit http://www.SafeAuto.com

About Wyler Racing

Wyler Racing returns to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) in 2010 for its fifth full-time season, after making its series debut in 2005. In their very first fully fledged season in the NCWTS, Wyler Racing grabbed two wins, two pole positions, 10 top-five, and 14 top-10s, finishing fifth in points overall. The following year, Wyler Racing backed that up by winning one race, scoring two pole positions, taking six top-five, 10 top-10s and finishing ninth in points overall.

In 2008, Terry Cook and Jack Sprague shared the ride, together earning two top-five and seven top-10 finishes, producing a 12th place finish in the Owner’s Point Standings. Last year, Stacy Compton was named the team’s driver and went on to collect nine top-10s en route to an 11th place finish in the standings. For more information on Wyler Racing, please visit www.wylerracing.com.

About Starbeast Motorsports

Starbeast Motorsports was founded in 2009 as a racing team that seeks to develop foreign drivers with the intent of introducing NASCAR to markets around the world. Through strategic alliances with companies like Wyler Racing, Starbeast Motorsports works to position international drivers for opportunities to maximize NASCAR’s global growth efforts. For more information on Starbeast Motorsports, please visit www.starbeast.com.

- Wyler Racing Press Release