Scott Wimmer Scores Best NNS Finish for Key Motorsports Since 1995

Las Vegas, March 2, 2009: Third time was the charm for Key Motorsports at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend, as the team finally got the results they were hoping for in the third race of the NASCAR Nationwide Series season. The team's first full-time Nationwide season had gotten off to a rocky start with a late-race wreck in Daytona and qualifying problems in California which resulted in a DNQ, but driver Scott Wimmer was able to rally back from an early pit road violation to bring home an 11th place finish.

Key Motorsports' weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway started with a little bit of Vegas luck as Federated Auto Parts joined on as primary sponsor of the No. 40 Chevrolet. After a quick wrap, the traditionally black Impala was transformed into a blue, white, and orange Federated Auto Parts machine, set to take the green flag from a 28th starting position.

Once the green flag waved, Wimmer didn't intend to stay in 28th place for long, and after only five laps he was battling the No. 89 of Morgan Shepherd for 20th. By lap nine the yellow flag was already flying for a spin, and after pit stops Wimmer restarted 17th. His march to the front continued, and by lap 26 the No. 40 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet was in the 11th position and ready to crack the top-10.

When a caution came out for a spin by the No. 09 of John Wes Townley, Wimmer brought the No. 40 down pit road for tires and fuel. After a fast stop by the Key Motorsports pit crew, Wimmer was clocked exiting pit road too quickly and sent to the end of the longest line.

Restarting 32nd, it wasn't long before Wimmer found himself a lap down, but he kept the Federated Auto Parts Chevy out of trouble as many competitors were swept into frequent on-track incidents. Caution after caution, Wimmer steadily regained positions, and by the final caution of the day, the No. 40 was back in the top-15.

Wimmer took the green flag for the green/white/checkered finish in 12th, battling heatedly with the No. 42 of Kenny Hendrick for the final two laps, passing Hendrick in the final stretch. Wimmer took the checkered flag in 11th, the best NASCAR Nationwide Series finish for Key Motorsports in 14 years.

The Nationwide Series has two consecutive weeks off before heading to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Scotts Turf Builder 300 on March 21st.