Stock-Car Montreal news 2010-04-29

Penske Racing Drivers to compete at the NAPA Auto Parts 200, Presented by Dodge August 28-29

Brad Keselowski and Justin Allgaier in Montreal to Talk About their NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship Hopes

Montreal, April 29, 2010 - Exactly four months prior to the start of the fourth running of the NAPA Auto Parts 200, Presented by Dodge, NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers Brad Keselowski and Justin Allgaier were in Montreal to meet with the press on Thursday at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Twenty-six year old Keselowski, from Rochester Hills, Michigan, has just moved into the points lead after he drove his Penske Racing No. 22 Dodge Discount Tire to his first win of the season last weekend at Talladega, his seventh Top-5 of 2010. Allgaier, born in Riverton, Illinois 23 years ago, and last season's Nationwide Series rookie-of-the-year, is currently fourth in the standings with a win, three Top-5 and five Top-10. Allgaier drove his Penske Racing No. 12 Dodge Verizon Wireless to his first Nationwide career race win at Bristol last March. Both drivers are currently in the heat of the championship title with Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, and Carl Edwards.

The two young and talented drivers were greeted at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Media Center by Charles Dube, Regional Manager - Quebec Business Unit at Chrysler Canada, and Francois Dumontier, President of Octane Management and Associated Promoter of the NAPA Auto Parts 200, Presented by Dodge.

"Justin and Brad are typical of the drivers you find in today's Nationwide Series," mentioned Francois Dumontier. "In that series, there are young hopefuls looking to make their way to NASCAR's top tier, and the more experienced drivers that run in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide. Even if Brad is only in his first full Cup season, he made his mark last year in that series with a win, a Top-5 and four Top-10 in only 15 starts."

In the wake of the outstanding Nationwide season debut by the two invited drivers, the Associated Promoter of the event had this to add: "I can only recommend race fans to closely monitor the upcoming 16 Nationwide races leading to our event. At the end of August, on the eve of our race on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Brad and Justin are still going to be in the thick of the 2010 championship race."

In last year's race in Montreal, Justin Allgaier was involved in an accident that ended his race early. As for Keselowski, he qualified 28th in 2008 to finish in 12th place. Last year, he placed 19th on the grid and finished fifth overall behind Villeneuve, Ranger, Ambrose, and race winner Edwards.

Joining Brad Keselowski and Justin Allgaier for the Montreal event, will be young NASCAR sensation Joey Logano, from Connecticut, and last year's winner Carl Edwards who have previously confirmed their presence at the NAPA Auto Parts 200 next August.

Tickets for the 2010 Montreal NAPA Auto Parts 200, Presented by Dodge are currently on sale. To order the best grandstands tickets and see Brad Keselowski, Justin Allgaier as well as several other NASCAR stars on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Saturday and Sunday August 28-29, fans must call 514 397-0007 or order online anytime at www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca/en/.

Mandated by Stock-Car Montreal, a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Speedway Corporation (ISC) based in Daytona Beach, Florida, Octane Management is, since 2009, the delegated promoter of the NAPA Auto Parts 200, Presented by Dodge. ISC is the leading promoter of motorsports in North America, hosting over 100 major racing events each year.

-source: scm/isc