Miller Lite Dodge

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 26, 2012) – Penske Racing welcomes a new partner to its NASCAR Nationwide Series program in 2012 as The WURTH GROUP will sponsor the Dodge Challenger driven by Sam Hornish, Jr. The No. 12 WURTH Dodge will be featured as primary sponsor in seven races as it marks the beginning of a multi-year partnership between WURTH and Penske Racing. WURTH will also be an associate sponsor for the remaining 26 Nationwide Series races and also as an associate sponsor of No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge in the Sprint Cup Series.

A leading supplier of high-quality automotive and industrial parts, cabinet supplies and fasteners, WURTH has more than 40,000 customers across the nation.

“The WURTH GROUP is a world-wide leader in the automotive and industrial supply business and we are pleased to have them join our team,” said Roger Penske. “Having WURTH as a partner brings value to every aspect of our company and their involvement will enhance our ability to compete for wins and hopefully the Nationwide Series title this season.”

With WURTH on board as a sponsor for 2012, Hornish and the No. 12 team will compete for the full Nationwide Series season, racing with Alliance Truck Parts as a partner as well.

“We are really excited to bring WURTH into the NASCAR Nationwide Series. I am grateful that they have joined our team because it is their support that makes it possible for us to run for the championship this year,” said Hornish. “We know that they will be a great partner to Penske Racing and we will do our best to get the No. 12 WURTH Dodge into Victory Circle.”

While this season marks its entry into North American motorsports, WURTH has been actively involved in European racing for over 30 years supporting teams in various disciplines including the Formula One and DTM Series.

“Roger and his companies are the epitome of excellence and integrity,” said Robert Stolz, CEO of the Wurth Group, North America.”Their commitment to the highest quality and customer service mirrors our own corporate culture. While we have one of the most recognized brands in industrial distribution in Europe and Asia, we are just beginning to roll it out in America. Our partnership with Penske Racing will be of great value to us as we look to expand further into this market.”

WURTH offers an extensive catalog of hardware, chemicals, fasteners and more, providing customers with everything they need to succeed. Small body shops and nationwide fleet maintenance companies alike can benefit from the unparalleled selection and unbeatable service that is synonymous with the WURTH brand.

Penske Racing is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Competing in a variety of disciplines, cars owned and prepared by Penske Racing have produced 350 major race wins – including a record 15 Indianapolis 500 victories, more than 410 pole positions and 23 National Championships. For more information about Penske Racing, please visit www.penskeracing.com.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 22, 2011) – With the 53^rdDaytona 500 less than one month away, 34 NASCAR Cup Series teams descended on Daytona International Speedway (DIS) for Preseason Thunder, a three-day test at the 2.5-mile speed palace. For Brad Keselowski and the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge team, it also provided another opportunity for the new driver/team combination to develop all-important chemistry before the biggest race of the season.

DIS received a new racing surface following the Coke Zero 400 last July, making this one of the biggest off-season tests in recent memory. Gone was the worn asphalt and bumps that eventually led to a pothole that delayed last year’s “Great American Race” by two hours. In its place is an ultra-smooth surface that should produce more of the exciting racing that has come to define DIS.

The focus of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge team for Day One of the test was on single-car, qualifying runs. Qualifying for the Daytona 500 will take place on Sunday, February 13, but it will lock in the top-two starting positions only. In the morning session, Keselowski posted a time of 49.204 seconds, or 182.912 miles per hour, which was the sixth-fastest time of the session. He followed that up with a time of 49.262 seconds, or 182.689 seconds, in the afternoon session.

Day Two began with early-morning rain showers moving through the area, which resulted in a delay in the action as the track drying process was underway. Teams were able to get back on the track at 1 pm and they immediately began to work on drafting practice, specifically the two-car draft that we have seen at the front of the field in recent restrictor-plate races. Keselowski, who owns two restrictor-plate wins in NASCAR competition, used a strong push from the No. 11 of Denny Hamlin to post the fourth-fastest time of the session at 45.873 seconds, or 196.194 miles per hour.

Drafting runs continued into Day Three, with Keselowski and teammate, Kurt Busch, working extensively as drafting partners. The two Dodges seemed to be perfect dancing partners as both drivers were affixed atop the scoring pylon by the end of the day, with Keselowski and the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge posting the fastest time of 45.316 seconds, or 198.605 miles per hour. The Penske Racing Dodge Chargers were the only cars to break the 198 mile per hour mark. This gives both driver and team a lot of confidence as they prepare for the final few weeks prior to returning to Daytona for Speedweeks.

“It was a good test, we’re definitely moving in the right direction,” said Keselowski. “We’ve found a lot of speed since we were down here for the Goodyear tire test in December. We’ve also targeted some areas where we need to be better and I’m confident that my ‘Blue Deuce’ team will figure out how to improve in those areas.”

“The new surface is outstanding,” continued Keselowski. “The re-surfacing was something that I was a proponent of all along. We’re going to see a different Daytona 500 than we’ve probably ever seen. Cars are going to be bunched together, like we see at Talladega, and there will be a lot of lead changes.”

[Source: Penskeracing]