BRISTOL DOUBLE DUTY ON-DECK FOR MAX PAPIS & GEICO
By Max Papis Racing | August 17, 2009 at 1:21 pmMooresville, NC (August 17, 2009) – A week ago, Max Papis and the GEICO Racing team were celebrating their 8th place finish in Watkins Glen, NY. Today they are preparing for one of the toughest challenges of the year; racing at Bristol Motor Speedway.
While most drivers aim to survive a single trip there in a week, Papis and the GEICO team will set their sights on surviving two races. The ‘World’s Fastest Half-Mile’ is not for the weak or faint-hearted. It is a half-mile track that resembles a cereal bowl in shape and has chewed up and spit out even the most experienced of drivers.
Wednesday will find Papis in the #9 GEICO Toyota Tundra for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event. It is the hope of the Germain Racing brass that this additional track time will aid in Papis’ attempt to make the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race when qualifying commences on Friday afternoon.
In May, Papis took his first crack at the Track Too Tough To Tame in Darlington. While most figured it to be his biggest challenge of the season, Papis looked the Lady In Black in the eye and beat her, qualifying the #13 GEICO Toyota Camry 22nd for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Makes one think that ‘Mad’ Max might be able to attack Bristol in the same manner.
This weekend presents a new set of challenges for the rookie driver and team. There are 48 cars on the entry list and they are all good and they all possess superior experience levels at BMS. Papis, however, has raced around the world, from Le Mans to Australia to Daytona. The 2004 Grand-Am Series champion is adaptable and undoubtedly one of the most cerebral wheelman in the business. This will serve Papis well when he takes to the track in the #13 GEICO Camry for Sprint Cup Series practice at noon on Friday.
“Bristol is one of those tracks that everyone talks about and I can’t wait to get there and get on-track in the GEICO Tundra on Wednesday and then the GEICO Cup car on Friday,” Papis said. “This is a track that is on my bucket list of tracks I wanted to race at and now I’ll get the chance. Watkins Glen was great, but as I said last week it’s time to focus on Bristol and doing the best we can to put the #13 GEICO Camry in the show.”
With his wife and two sons in tow, Papis will arrive in Bristol with that million dollar smile on his face and full of enthusiasm.
Papis and the #9 GEICO Toyota Tundra will begin NASCAR Camping World Truck Series practice on Wednesday, August 19th, at 10:00 AM (ET) with final practice coming at 12:00 PM (ET). Qualifying will take place just a few hours later at 4:40 PM (ET).
The O’Reilly 200 presented by Valvoline NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race is on Wednesday, August 19th. The race will be televised live on SPEED beginning at 8:00 PM (ET), while the Motor Racing Network (MRN) will carry the live radio broadcast.
Papis and the #13 GEICO Toyota Camry will hit the track at Bristol Motor Speedway for the opening NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice session on Friday, August 21st, at 12:00 PM (ET). Qualifying will follow at 5:40 PM (ET).
The Sharpie 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race is on Saturday, August 22nd. The race will be televised live on ESPN beginning at 6:30 PM (ET), while the Performance Racing Network (PRN) will carry the live radio broadcast.
To learn more about Max Papis and the GEICO Racing program, please visit: www.geicogarage.com
You can also follow GEICO Racing on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/geicoracing
