The Road to Daytona – Chris Wimmer ***photos attached***

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


  Media Contact:   Jody Bartels
                           Keith Coleman Racing
                           205-910-4429 or 
                           jbartels@keithcolemanracing.com 
   
  The Road to Daytona – Chris Wimmer
   
  Eddyville, Ky. – February 15, 2006 – While most NASCAR Busch Series drivers spent the off-season with their families, hanging out with friends, traveling, shooting commercials or attending sponsor-related events, 2006 Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender, Chris Wimmer has been working side-by-side with his Keith Coleman Racing teammates, preparing for their first season together.
   
  With three races remaining in the 2005 season, Chris Wimmer joined the Keith Coleman Racing team behind the wheel of the #23 Chevrolet.  Thrust into his first NASCAR Busch ride, Wimmer barely knew the names of the guys who were strapping him into his car.  He quickly earned their respect, however, fighting an ill-handling car as a result of an on-track incident in his first NASCAR Busch Series start at the Phoenix International Raceway.  
   
  After the final race in Homestead, Fla., Wimmer returned to his hometown of Wausau, Wisconsin, where he spent time hunting with his dad and brothers.  On the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Wimmer packed up his pick-up and made the trip from his High Point, NC home, to the Eddyville, Kentucky race shop.  Since that day, Wimmer has spent nearly seven days a week working with his crew in preparation for the 2006 season.  Wimmer performs some of the fabrication work, installs his own seats, and builds the car’s shocks.  
   
  “All the guys in the shop are great and they all get along really well,” says Wimmer.  “Every one of them is giving me a 110%, and they all seem to enjoy what they are doing.  Everyone at the shop has one thing on their minds, and that is racing.”
   
  While some drivers might consider spending every day in the shop tiresome, Wimmer very much enjoys the work.  He has always worked on racecars, often helping older brother, and now NASCAR Nextel Cup driver, Scott Wimmer, build his early cars.  Outside of racing, Chris enjoys hunting and fishing.
   
  As the final days have slipped away, Wimmer spent countless hours this weekend with his teammates, often not leaving the shop until the wee hours of the morning.  All the hours and hard work will be put to the test in a few short days as the KCR team travels to the Daytona International Speedway to kick off the 2006 NASCAR Busch Season.  
   
  Like all of the 2006 NASCAR Busch Rookies, Wimmer will have to qualify for the first five races based on time, as the #23 Chevrolet did not finish within the top-30 in owner’s points in 2005.  “The first goal is getting into the top 30 in points,” said Wimmer.  “After that we will be trying to win rookie of the year.”  Wimmer has competed along side of several of his fellow NBS rookies prior to this season and is looking forward to competing with them again.
   
  “I’m excited about running in the NASCAR Busch Series,” stated Wimmer.  “I really appreciate the opportunity that Keith Coleman has giving me, and I’m really looking forward to this year.”