Nationwide Series - Tagliani To Compete In Montreal With Support Of Dodge

Montreal, May 31, 2011 - Thanks to the support from the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram Quebec Dealers, Alex Tagliani will have the chance to compete in two NASCAR races the weekend of August 19 and 20 during the NAPA Auto Parts 200, presented by Dodge. As the curtain rises on the weekend and before his home crowd at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the Lachenaie, Quebec driver will participate in the NAPA Autopro 100, NASCAR's Canadian Series event, before taking the green flag for the 200-mile NASCAR Nationwide Series race. For the first event, Tagliani will be at the wheel of a Dodge Avenger prepared by Dave Jacombs Racing. For the main event, he will drive a Dodge Challenger. Both of Tagliani's racecars will support the number 12.

"With the confirmation that Tagliani, who is in great form this season, will be starting the NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge, and knowing that Carpentier, Ranger and Villeneuve will also be there, Quebec race fans can count on a seeing a quartet to be reckoned with, as each of these drivers will be driving excellent racecars," exclaimed François Dumontier, president of Octane Management and delegated promoter of the NAPA Auto Parts 200, presented by Dodge.

"For the fifth anniversary of our annual high-end stock car programming, we could not imagine a more attractive scenario. More than ever this year, we can dream that one of our own will make history by winning a major NASCAR series race. On behalf of our spectators, I would like to thank our partner Dodge and particularly the Quebec Dodge dealers, for the support given to Andrew Ranger and now Alexandre Tagliani."

"We are privileged to be able to associate ourselves with Alex Tagliani for the NASCAR race program in Montreal August 19 and 20. For us, supporting Quebec racers, who tend to excel at the highest levels, is a natural fit. We are also especially proud to be able to help them race in front of their hometown fans here in Quebec," added Jean Gosselin, president of the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram Quebec Dealers COOP.

"Dodge is proud to be the presenting sponsor and a major partner of the promoter of the Nationwide Series event in Montreal. Motorsports is part of the Dodge DNA and furthermore, racing inspires many of our products. This explains why we both recognize and support a passion shared by the drivers and all the fans who will gather in Montreal for one of the greatest motorsports events there is. Through their strong relationship with Dodge Motorsports, the Dodge dealers of Québec have made it possible to secure the Nationwide series #12 Dodge Challenger for Alex Tagliani exclusively for the Montreal Nationwide Event being held this summer, supplying him with the very best equipment in NASCAR today for that race." said Mr. Ed Broadbear Vice President Marketing at Chrysler Canada.

For over a decade now, Tagliani has pursued a career in professional auto racing, an undertaking which saw its beginnings in Formula Atlantic. He has started 163 races in North American single-seat racing series and has registered one win, thirty-four top-5 and twenty-seven top-10 finishes along with five pole positions, the most recent of which came at the 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500. To top this milestone off, Alex became the first Canadian in history to do so. In NASCAR, he has participated in thirteen rounds of the Canadian Tire Series including three at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. His honours include one win, two top-5, three top-10 finishes, and two pole positions. He has also started two Nationwide Series races, including one in Montreal in 2009. In 1999 in his last Formula Atlantic campaign, he earned the pole and scored the victory during the race in Montreal, part of the Grand Prix du Canada.