CHAD CHAFFIN RETURNING TO TRUCK SERIES, KEY MOTORSPORTS;
WILL DRIVE #40 CHEVROLET IN O’REILLY 200 IN MEMPHIS

Veteran NASCAR driver Chad Chaffin is returning to the Craftsman Truck Series and to Key Motorsports as team owner Curtis W. Key, Sr. announced today that Chaffin will drive the #40 Curtis Key Plumbing Chevrolet Silverado next weekend in Memphis.

Chaffin started the 2006 NCTS campaign as the full-time driver for the team and attempted to qualify for the first six races. Though he only qualified for two of those events, Chaffin is excited to return to the Mooresville, North Carolina-based organization.

“Even though we had some rough times early last year in trying to get into races and compete, I still enjoyed my relationship with Curtis and the team,” Chaffin said. “The race team was a young one last year and worked through motor and personnel issues before finally righting the ship and actually qualified for and raced in the final 17 races.

“Now the #40 is solidly in the group of trucks racing every weekend in 2007, and some new people are now in place on the competition side. I’m looking forward to getting back in the truck and finally making something good happen for them,” he added.

Chaffin, who won two NCTS races in 2004 en route to a 10th place finish in points, hasn’t raced in the Series since the latter part of the 2006 season but has been behind the wheel of a race car recently that has helped sharpen his skills and create some motivation.

“I had the chance to practice the #1 Miccosukee Chevrolet for James Finch’s Busch Series team the last two races (at Nashville and Kentucky) and I really enjoyed it. I had turned in some really good laps and provided some good feedback, and it helped J.J. (driver Yeley) to have two good runs.

“They (Phoenix Racing) may be asking me to do some Cup testing and driving for them later in the year, but my first objective is to finish the job I started with Key Motorsports last year,” said Chaffin, who wants to prove that he can still get the job done behind the wheel of a NASCAR racing machine.

Chaffin will be the fourth driver in the #40 this year, joining the list that includes Mike Bliss, Clay Rogers and Shane Huffman. Bliss raced in the first four races after which Rogers ran four times and Huffman twice, although the latter is driving tonight in the Toyota Tundra 200 at The Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, WI.

“Since we do not have a full-season sponsor, I’m free to put different drivers in my trucks to see who can get the job done and who can’t,” Key stated. “Mike, Clay and Shane all did well, even though we could have had better luck and better finishes in some of the races. But bringing Chad back to race with us on tracks that he is very familiar with should help us be more competitive in those events. I’m looking forward to seeing how he does with a different team this time around,” Key added.

Key is referring to the addition of Gary Showalter as crew chief and the moving of veteran Tommy Morgan from shop foreman to Director of Competition after a major shake-up occurred following the race in Charlotte. Showalter also brought five new shop and crew members with him, so the Key Motorsports roster will be a new one to Chaffin.

“I ran 10 races with Wyler Racing in the Truck Series in 2005 and Gary was the truck chief. I also ran a race for Sutton Motorsports in Atlanta early in 2006 when I failed to qualify the #40 Key Motorsports truck and the team needed a driver to step in for Kelly (Sutton) who was recovering from injuries from a previous wreck. I like the way Gary works with his team, and I’ve known about Tommy Morgan and his background for a long time,” Chaffin explained. “Based on what I have seen so far this year, I know that they will give me a truck with a good set-up and on a track (Memphis) that I really like and have run well at during my career. I’m looking at a top 15 finish if everything works for us,” he ended.

Bliss and Rogers are not scheduled to run for Key Motorsports in any races over the foreseeable future, but plans have been set for Huffman to continue to run races for the team when they do not conflict with his Busch Series responsibilities for JR Motorsports. Chaffin is thus a candidate to drive beyond Memphis, although Key has not yet made that commitment.

“We’ll see what happens at Memphis and make plans from there for the rest of the races. I just want Chad to see how improved this race team is and how much better our equipment is since the last time he drove for us. I’m happy to have him back,” Key added.