NHRA RACE TEAM NEWS: NFL RUNNING BACK DUCE STALEY POWERS NEW NHRA PRO STOCK TEAM

***The press release below is forwarded on behalf of Catch 22
Motorsports PR***

 

 

Contact:           Meredith Geisler

                        Meredith Communications

                        publicrelations@treselerzalbe.com

                        (301) 610-5001

 

Pittsburgh Steeler Running Back Duce Staley Powers 

New Motorsports Team 

 

Staley's Catch 22 Motorsports will begin racing in 2007.

 

PITTSBURGH, Pa., Sept. 14, 2006 - Pittsburgh Steelers running back Duce
Staley grew up watching professional drag racing with his father.  Now,
Staley has the opportunity to participate first-hand as an owner with
the formation of Catch 22 Motorsports.  Beginning in 2007, Catch 22
Motorsports will feature two drivers competing in the National Hot Rod
Association (NHRA) Pro Stock Division.

 

While helping the Steelers defend their Super Bowl title remains his top
priority and main focus, Staley is also looking at his entry into
motorsports as a business opportunity.  Staley's interest in the NHRA is
long-standing, and he wanted to have more of an integral participation
in the sport. 

 

"I am very excited to establish this competitive racing team and am
looking forward to engaging in a new challenge," said Staley.   "The
competition level in Pro Stock is so tight now; I believe that my
experience with the elite competition in the NFL and the parity among
NFL teams is transferable to the parity in NHRA Pro Stock."  

 

"It is very exciting to see NFL star and Super Bowl champion Duce Staley
become an NHRA team owner," said Tom Compton, president, NHRA. "With
naming Jim Yates and Billy Gibson to his team Duce has selected two
talented drivers and I wish the team much success as they pursue an NHRA
POWERade Series world championship in Pro Stock."

 

Staley started his NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1997 after
being drafted in the third round out of the University of South
Carolina.  Staley had seven productive seasons with the Eagles including
three 1,000 yard rushing seasons, and three consecutive trips to the NFC
title game.  Staley signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2004
season where he rushed for 707 yards in his first seven games as the
Steelers' starting halfback.  

 

Established NHRA driver Jim Yates will compete as a Catch 22 Motorsports
driver.  Yates has won two NHRA Pro Stock Championships, and has
finished in the top-two five times and in the top-five eight times in 10
years.  Additionally, Yates has a 3.11 average finishing position, has
won 25 NHRA POWERade national events and finished as a runner-up at an
additional 35 events to date.  Prior to establishing Jim Yates Racing,
Yates was affiliated with another NFL star involved in motorsports - Joe
Gibbs - as a member of Joe Gibbs Racing.

 

"It is incredible to have a driver of Jim's stature on my racing team,"
said Staley.  "We're going to try as hard as we can to add more
championships to both our resumes."  

 

Yates saw certain qualities in Staley that led him to think that this
could be a mutually beneficial partnership.  "A major factor that
attracted me to Catch 22 Motorsports was the competitiveness Duce has
shown on the field throughout his NFL career," said Yates.  "I know he
is going to do everything he can to make our team a success." 

 

IHRA standout Billy Gibson, an up-and-coming NHRA driver, is the second
driver for Catch 22 Motorsports.  Gibson has experience in racing
go-carts, streetcars, eliminator classes, pro-stocks, pro-modifieds,
alcohol dragster, and alcohol funny car.  Gibson started his racing
career at age seven at the Virginia State cart series and has been
racing ever since.  

 

"Duce's involvement with motorsports is very positive for the sport,"
said Gibson.  "He has name recognition with people who wouldn't
ordinarily follow the NHRA and we hope to capitalize on his NFL fan
base."

 

When looking at Gibson's career, Staley was immediately attracted to the
experience the young driver will bring to the team. "There is really no
substitute for Billy's vast driving experience," said Staley.  "Billy
has basically seen it all and will be prepared for any situation that
comes his way."

 

In addition to the drivers, Catch 22 Motorsports has announced that Doug
Kline will be the General Manager for the team.   Additionally, Kline
will work with the crew in the pits as he has throughout his career.
When not on the race track, Kline co-owns Precision Chassis, Inc. in
Temple, Pennsylvania, which offers a wide variety of race cars and
services.  

 

"Doug is going to be integral to the success of Catch 22 Motorsports,"
said Staley.  "He brings 20 years of motorsports experience to the team
and I am confident that we have an outstanding team in place to compete
at the highest level of Pro Stock." 

 

Kline looks forward to the opportunity of working with this ownership
group and with their experienced drivers.  "From the first day they
contacted me, Catch 22 Motorsports has shown a tremendous commitment to
success," said Kline.  "I am very excited to be working with Jim, Billy,
and Duce as well as the rest of the team."

 

Staley has also retained the services of TRESELER ZALBE LLC for
marketing services to leverage motorsports sponsorships for Catch 22
Motorsports.   TRESELER ZALBE LLC is a nationally recognized sports &
entertainment marketing agency specializing in corporate consulting,
event marketing, property representation, sponsorship activation and
celebrity integration.

 

For more information, please visit www.catch22motorsports.com
<http://www.catch22motorsports.com/> .

 

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