Bliss to drive No. 40 for Key Motorsports in Truck Series

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Curtis Key, owner of Key Motorsports, has announced that former Truck Series champion Mike Bliss will drive the No. 40 Chevrolet for at least six races in 2009.

Bliss

Bliss will kick off the season with the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 13, and will remain behind the wheel for the races at California, Atlanta, Martinsville, Charlotte and Dover. Details on whether Bliss will continue as driver for the rest of the season are still in negotiation.

Bliss, 43, who won the Truck Series championship in 2002, has 13 victories, 107 top-10s and 18 poles in the series. He has made five Truck Series starts for Key Motorsports, his best finish with the organization being 10th at California in 2007. Bliss began racing at age 10, and made his NASCAR debut in 1995.

"I am very excited to begin the season with Key Motorsports," Bliss said. "I've had good results with the team in the past, and I look forward to building on our previous efforts. It should be a fun season."

Gary Showalter will be leading the team in the garage, serving as crew chief for the No. 40 Chevrolet.

Key Motorsports announced last week that Westerman Companies renewed its sponsorship for the 2009 season, running at least six races on the No. 40. Bliss will run the Westerman Companies paint scheme for the company's first appearance of the season at Martinsville.