Starbeast Motorsports, Karthikeyan to debut at Martinsville

India's FIRST FORMULA ONE driver to make debut in NASCAR Will debut at Martinsville in the Kroger 250 with No. 60 SafeAuto Chevrolet Truck

Charlotte, N.C. (March 16, 2010) Starbeast Motorsports Founder Miguel Abaroa is pleased to announce that driver Narain Karthikeyan "NA-rain kar-thee-KAY-un" will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut on March 27 in the Kroger 250 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Karthikeyan, who is India's first NASCAR driver, will drive the Wyler Racing No. 60 SafeAuto Chevrolet Silverado. Karthikeyan previously tested an ARCA car at Daytona International Speedway in December and brings 22 seasons of experience in open wheel racing including Formula 1 and the Le Mans Series.

"The opportunity to compete in a NASCAR series is a dream come true for me," said Karthikeyan. "I have raced all over the world, but this is a different kind of challenge for me and I look forward to learning everything I can about racing in this environment. NASCAR is known for its passionate fans. I am excited to be introducing India to this sport and hope to help develop an equally passionate fan base there."

Newly formed Starbeast Motorsports is focused on bringing NASCAR to the international community through foreign drivers. Karthikeyan is the center of Starbeast's efforts to grow the sport in India.

"After his success in Formula 1, Narain has become one of India's most popular athletes and the obvious choice to introduce NASCAR to the subcontinent," said Abaroa. "His story is that of a motorsports pioneer, and this next chapter will be his most compelling."

Starbeast Motorsports and Karthikeyan have entered into an agreement with Wyler Racing for the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. Karthikeyan will race the No. 60 in select races to be announced at a later date. SafeAuto Insurance will serve as the primary sponsor after signing a multi-year agreement with Wyler Racing and driver Stacy Compton in 2009.

"We have always had a desire to work with drivers to help with their transition into NASCAR," said Stacy Compton, who has driven in 27 events for Wyler Racing since partnering with the team last year. Compton will serve as a driver coach to help assist Karthikeyan as he makes the transition from open wheel racing to NASCAR.

"SafeAuto is excited to have such an accomplished Formula 1 driver behind the wheel of our race truck," commented Jon Diamond, president of SafeAuto, "Many of our customers are fans of NASCAR and we are looking forward to being part of taking this sport to an international level."

-source: starbeast motorsport