Germain Racing has announced the addition of Brazilian race car driver Miguel Paludo to its Camping World Truck Series organization.
Paludo has been racing for fellow Toyota team Hattori Racing Enterprises in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. He has tested in a Toyota Tundra at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida, and is looking forward to making his NASCAR Truck debut in Wednesday's O'Reilly 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway in the No. 77 Stemco Duroline Tundra.
"Since I was a little boy, I have dreamed of being a professional race car driver, and my goal has been to race in NASCAR," said Paludo, a native of New Silver, Brazil. "I often get asked about driving in open-wheel competition, but, for me, my love is truly stock car racing. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will provide a great 'next step' for me in developing my NASCAR career. I'm looking forward to driving the No. 77 Stemco Duroline Tundra for Germain Racing at such a great track as Bristol Motor Speedway."
Paludo, 27, has been champion in two consecutive seasons in Brazilian Porsche GT3 Cup competition. He has captured 19 wins, 10 pole positions and 10 "fastest laps."
"When accomplished race car drivers come to NASCAR from road racing, communication and driving style are usually their biggest challenges," said Mike Hillman Jr., crew chief of Germain Racing's No. 30 Valvoline Tundra that leads the Truck Series standings and has captured three victories this year with Todd Bodine.
"Miguel has been very quick to adapt to the oval race tracks. He has been consistent and competitive each time he is behind the wheel of his Toyota and his communication with his crew has gotten better each race. We look forward to continuing to see his NASCAR career develop with Germain Racing."
Bristol is one of five events with Germain Racing that Paludo has added to his 2010 racing schedule. He has three races remaining in his K&N Pro Series East schedule with Hattori Racing Enterprises. The Truck Series races at Bristol, Kentucky, Texas and Homestead and the ARCA Racing Series event at Kansas are all just more steps for Paludo's career path in NASCAR.
"I'm really excited to take these next steps in my career," he said. "I am preparing to race full time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. I hope that we can do a good job for Stemco Duroline and Toyota in these five races this year to build a good foundation for the 2011 racing season. My goal is to learn something new with every single lap."
