Mooresville, NC (October 11, 2010) The Key Motorsports Chevrolet Impala driven by Mike Bliss will carry the colors of Westerman Companies in Friday night’s 300-mile NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Cricket SW3, a product of Rick’s Specialty Vehicles, is making their first venture into motorsports as an associate sponsor of the No. 40 for the Charlotte race.
The familiar Westerman Companies green paint scheme that has appeared on the Key Motorsports Chevrolet at several venues this season, has brought two top-15 and four top-20 finishes to the Key Motorsports organization in 2010, including 13th place finishes at Richmond in April and O’Reilly Raceway Park in July. With six of the eight race sponsorship completed, Westerman will return to the No. 40 for the season-closing event at Homestead in November.
“We are pleased with the performance of the Key Motorsports team,” said a Westerman Companies spokesperson. “2010 marks our fourth year with Key Motorsports and they have stepped up to the plate this season. We look forward to Charlotte this weekend and to being back for Homestead in November.”
Rick’s Specialty Vehicles, featuring the Cricket SW3 Electric Sport Vehicle, has signed with Key Motorsports as an associate for the Dollar General 300. The Georgia based company manufactures and retails the Cricket SW3 ESV, an all electric, portable personal transportation vehicle that weighs about 300 lbs. and folds to fit under motor homes and other vehicles for easy storage and relocation.
“The Cricket SW3 is a great way for race fans to get around at the track,” said a company official. “It is a very unique vehicle that provides a number of solutions to race fans, RV’ers and anyone who attends horse and car shows. We are excited to partner with Key Motorsports for our introduction to NASCAR racing and the many loyal NASCAR fans who have made the sport what it is.”
Key Motorsports driver Mike Bliss and crew chief Gary Showalter are prepared to continue the momentum they have established in 2010. Fresh from a ninth place finish at California last weekend, Bliss and the team are confident their efforts will command a repeat appearance in the top-10 Friday night.
“Gary and the crew are on their game,” shared Bliss, a two-time winner at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “They are doing a great job in the shop getting these cars ready and they have put a lot of effort into our pit stops. Everything is coming together and we should be in the hunt Friday night. We want to thank Westerman Companies for being with us at Charlotte this weekend, they have been a good luck charm for us this year. We also appreciate the support of the Cricket SW3, that is one neat little vehicle that race fans will love.”
Longtime crew chief Gary Showalter has led the Key Motorsports team to 20 top-20’s, eight top-15’s and two top-10’s to date in 2010, including 13 top 20’s in the past 14 races.
“We have a good car for Charlotte,” said Showalter. “The guys on the team have done a great job and we have everything we need to get the job done. Curtis Key (team owner) has provided our team all of the components needed to be successful at this level and we are looking forward to a good run with Westerman Companies and the folks at Cricket SW3.”
The Dollar General 300 will be broadcast live from Charlotte Motor Speedway Friday, October 15, 2010 at 7:30 pm on ESPN2.
