GETTING THEIR MONEY'S WORTH - The night before last week's race at Daytona International Speedway, Curtis Key received a phone call from Phillip May, President of Oakland Metal Buildings, Inc., stating that he wanted to sponsor Mike Bliss in the No. 40 Key Motorsports Chevrolet for the Truck Series season opener. After Bliss was forced to resign from the race after a lap 6 crash, Key has decided to run Oakland Metal Buildings, Inc. once again this weekend at no cost. The Florence, Alabama-based company has also signed on to sponsor the No. 40 at Atlanta Motor Speedway (March 7) and Talladega Superspeedway (October 31).
LUCKY STREAK - Auto Club Speedway is one of Mike Bliss' best tracks on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series circuit. In only seven NCWTS starts at the track, Bliss has scored 1 pole, 1 win, 1 top-5, and 4 top-10 finishes, including one 10th place finish with Key Motorsports in 2007.
NEW TO THE RIDE - The primary truck for this weekend's race at Auto Club Speedway has never been driven by Mike Bliss before; however, it was the team's primary truck on 1.5 mile tracks in 2008. The chassis has been run at Texas Motor Speedway, Lowes Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
FINISHING THE DEAL - Mike Bliss has completed 705 of 706 laps over the course of his seven races at Auto Club Speedway. He has no NCWTS DNF's at the track, and has finished on the lead lap every year but 2008. Of the 99.9% laps Bliss has completed, he has led 117.
Mike Bliss Quotes and Facts:
ON OAKLAND METAL BUILIDINGS, INC. - "Last week's race was certainly a disappointment, not only for me, but also for the team and our sponsor. I'm happy to be running Oakland Metal Buildings again this week, and I hope to give them the finish they deserved at Daytona."
ON AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY - "Auto Club Speedway has always been a place I've run well. It's a great track, all about horsepower and handling. I was able to bring Key Motorsports their first top-10 finish in the Truck Series when I ran for them in 2007, and I hope that with the improvements to their engine program I can give the, their first win.
