Key Motorsports is going across the Atlantic Ocean to find new talent for its NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program, and English-born Pickup Truck Racing standout Paul Poulter has signed a development agreement with team owner Curtis W. Key, Sr. for the 2008 season.

The 6’ 2”, 225-pound Poulter, who hails from Fetcham Surrey outside of London, tested with Key Motorsports last year and performed well. He will test several times before initiating a three to 7-race program in the #40 Key Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado later this season beginning with the scheduled race at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, WI in June.

Follow-up starts at Memphis and Nashville, TN; Las Vegas, Atlanta, Texas and either Phoenix or Homestead, FL have also been penciled onto the schedule.

The 35-year-old Poulter is hoping that this initial experience can lead to an opportunity to one day run full-time in the U.S. and in NASCAR and to compete for Rookie-of-the-Year laurels.

“I have followed the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for some time now and I am truly excited to have been given the opportunity to run with Key Motorsports,” Poulter stated. “I loved the equipment when I drove it last year, and I was even more impressed by the changes that have been made to the trucks this time around. I am a little surprised by how easily I was able to adapt to the heavier trucks and larger motors, and I believe that I can compete if given the right equipment,” he added.

The race truck that Poulter drives on the Pickup Truck Racing circuit weighs about 1,200 pounds less than a Craftsman Truck and uses a smaller motor. That didn’t seem to bother Poulter who tested under the eyes of Key Motorsports Director of Competition Tommy Morgan and Truck Chief Gary Showalter at Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, NC last fall.

“For being in a strange race truck on a completely strange race track, and doing it while sitting in a seat that didn’t fit him, Paul was very impressive for the first time,” said Showalter. “He is a quick learner and really got the hang of it pretty fast. Given more seat time and experience, Paul has the ability to succeed at this level here in America,” Morgan added.

At a recent test at the USA International Speedway in Lakeland, FL, Poulter had the opportunity to test under the direction of new Key Motorsports Crew Chief Lance Hooper, and like Showalter and Morgan, Hooper was duly impressed.

“He (Paul) has a definite feel for the race truck and is all business. He is smooth and is really a quick learner, and he is determined to make this opportunity work for him to show that he can compete at this level. I’m excited about his ability and how he’ll run at Milwaukee and Memphis to start,” Hooper commented.

Poulter has been quite successful competing in the Pickup Truck Racing Series in England, winning 11 times in three seasons and capturing the Rockingham Superspeedway rookie crown in 2005. He also finished second that season in the point’s race for the overall driving title. Rockingham Speedway is the only mile and a half oval speedway in England.

Poulter started his racing career way back in 1984 at the age of 11 running in an oval ministox series. He moved into open wheel competition at age 16 and promptly went on to capture five national championships. Paul got a little more serious several years later and became the European and British Superstox champion in 1995. A year later he moved into both the Eurocar V6 and Pickup Truck Racing circuits and claimed victories in races in each division.

He won the World Superstox crown in 2004 and then moved permanently into the truck series in 2005 when he dominated the competition as a certified rookie with eight wins and five pole awards. The Pickup Truck Racing circuit competes on both ovals and road courses in England and Poulter’s strength has always been on the ovals thus spawning his love for NASCAR.

“There is great racing in the NASCAR trucks and I want to be a part of that,” Poulter said. “I’m used to winning rounds (races) every time I get into a race truck and I will do exactly the same here in the U.S. when I climb into that #40 Key Motorsports Chevrolet.”

Team owner Key sees a lot of upside to Poulter and his ability.

“Paul has impressed a lot of us here and he’s not just someone looking to see what he can do here in the U.S.,” Key explained. “He really understands this business and is bringing some of his knowledge and personnel with him to make sure that this is a project that will help him fulfill his goals. We’re hoping that it all works out for everyone so we can run a more regular schedule in the future. I think people will be surprised when they see Paul perform. He certainly has a winning attitude,” he added.