Key Motorsports to Run Full-Time NASCAR Nationwide Series Entry in 2009

MOORESVILLE, North Carolina, January 12, 2009: Team owner Curtis Key announced today that Key Motorsports will run its first full-time entry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2009.

Key Motorsports made its NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in 1991, running limited schedules until 1999. After a four year hiatus from motorsports, Key Motorsports returned to racing in 2004 as a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team, periodically running in the Nationwide Series on a limited basis, most recently with former champion Jeff Green. In addition to Green, in its 18 year history Key Motorsports has developed a stout roster of accomplished drivers and former champions, including Jeff Burton, Mike Bliss, Bobby Hamilton, Chuck Brown, Larry Pearson, and Derrike Cope.

In preparation for the 2009 season, Key Motorsports has acquired a top notch fleet of Chevrolet Monte Carlos, including two new superspeedway cars for the season opener in Daytona on February 14th. "We've got a lot of good stuff for our Nationwide program, and we'll be concentrating really hard on our motor program. That will be the biggest step for us, and we're working hard on that," says owner Curtis Key. "It's been exactly 10 years since the last time I attempted Daytona in the Nationwide Series, so I'm extremely excited to be back and to be going into the season with such a solid program."

Leading the effort in the Key Motorsports shop is crew chief Tommy Morgan, who formerly served as the team's competition director since 2007. "I feel real good going into the 2009 season. The equipment that Curtis has acquired is real good, and we're working really hard on the engines to make sure we've got a lot of horsepower at Daytona and anywhere else we go. I'm really excited about the whole year."

Key Motorsports plans to continue their longstanding manufacturer relationship with Chevrolet. Driver, sponsor information, and car number are forthcoming. 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series plans will also be announced at a later date.