Mike Bliss Earns Key Motorsports Top-20 at Richmond

Key Motorsports tallied its second consecutive top-20 finish at Richmond International Raceway this weekend. With Mike Bliss behind the wheel of Key’s NASCAR Nationwide Series entry for the first time in 2009, the team avoided a potential disaster in practice and went on to hone in on a setup that would score a solid finish for the No. 40 Westerman Companies Chevrolet.

Mike Bliss had a close call in the opening minutes of practice for the Virginia 529 Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway. Hitting the track for his very first lap, the throttle of the No. 40 Westerman Companies Chevrolet hung wide open. Flying through the turns of Richmond International Raceway at full throttle would have resulted in a wrecked race car and a trip to the infield care center for many drivers, but the experienced veteran skillfully kept the Chevrolet out of the wall, shut off the ignition, and coasted back to the garage safely.

The Key Motorsports crew worked diligently to fix the throttle before sending Bliss back on track. He spent the remainder of practice focusing of the setup of the No. 40, the team addressing a tight condition with spring and track bar adjustments. After 54 laps on record, Bliss ended the long morning session with a fastest lap time of 22.027 seconds (122.577 MPH), placing him 23rd on the speed charts.

After laying down a 22.126 second qualifying lap, Bliss took the green flag from the 24th position and quickly began picking up spots. When a wreck in turn four brought out a very early caution on lap 3, Bliss had already advanced the Westerman Companies Chevrolet to 19th. Battling three-wide with his competitors after the restart on lap 9, Bliss worked his way up to 16th before the setting sun began to affect the handling of his racecar. As the track cooled, the No. 40 became very tight, and Bliss slid back to 20th by the time a wreck brought out the yellow on lap 42.

Bliss brought the No. 40 down pit road for his first stop of the night, receiving a track bar and air pressure adjustment to loosen the racecar. Restarting 22nd, the Key Motorsports machine continued to tighten, wearing out the right front and losing its grip on the track, but Bliss was still able to work his way into 17th before the next caution on lap 127. Coming in for tires, fuel, and another track bar adjustment, Bliss returned to the track in the same position and fought his way into the top-15 by lap 149.

Running 13th at the time of the last caution of the night on lap 226, Bliss told crew chief Gary Showalter that the No. 40 was still tight in, but was snapping loose when he exited the corner. Showalter called Bliss in for four tires, one can of fuel, and an air pressure adjustment in preparation for the final 70 laps.

Restarting 14th, Bliss battled heatedly under the lights, defending his top-15 position. In the closing laps Bliss was unable to fend off his competitors, losing two positions before crossing the finish line in 16th.

Curtis Key’s No. 40 remains 23rd in the NNS owner standings after Mike Bliss’ 16th place finish at Richmond International Raceway. The Key Motorsports Chevrolet is now 272 points ahead of 31st place.

The NASCAR Nationwide Series will enjoy an off-week before returning to the track on September 26th at Dover International Speedway. Scott Wimmer, who scored a 14th place finish at the track in the spring, will return to the No. 40 for the Dover 200.

RECAP:

Date: Friday, September 11, 2009 Track: Richmond International Raceway
Event Name: Virginia 529 College Savings 250
Start: 24th Finish: 16th Laps Completed: 250/250

Laps Led: 0

Money Earned: $22,893
Owner Point Standings: 23rd

NEXT ON SCHEDULE: Date: Saturday, September 26, 2009 Track: Dover International Speedway Event Name: Dover 200 Time: 3:00 PM ET

Mike Bliss NASCAR Nationwide Series Advance: 
Richmond International Raceway

Monday, September 7, 2009

BEHIND THE WHEEL – With Scott Wimmer stepping out to drive the No. 5 this weekend, Mike Bliss will get behind the wheel of the No. 40 Westerman Companies Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway. The Oregon native has made ten NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts for Key Motorsports in the last three seasons, but this will be his first NASCAR Nationwide Series race with the team.

RICHMOND BOUND – Mike Bliss has nine previous starts at Richmond International Raceway. The former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion has one top-5, four top-10’s, and an average finish of 17.7 at the 0.75-mile oval.

SPONSOR REPORT – The No. 40 will be sporting the green and white Westerman Companies paint scheme this weekend at Richmond International Speedway. This is Westerman’s fifth appearance on the Key Motorsports Chevy this season.

CHASSIS INFO – Mike Bliss will hit the track at Richmond International Raceway in chassis #003. Key Motorsports last raced #003 at Bristol Motor Speedway last month, where Scott Wimmer scored a 21st place finish after a late race spin. This chassis was also utilized at Richmond this spring, with Wimmer finishing 16th.

POINTS UPDATE – Curtis Key’s No. 40 remains 23rd in the NNS owner standings after Scott Wimmer’s 18th place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Key Motorsports Chevrolet is now 263 points ahead of 31st place.