PMI Press Release - Contact: Doug Barnette (217) 443-2525
Miami, FL (November 1, 2006) – Max Papis is looking forward to adding NASCAR ovals to his already impressive resume when he rolls into Texas Motor Speedway for the November 4th running of the NASCAR Busch Series race in the Lone Star State.
Papis made his NASCAR Busch Series debut in Watkins Glen, NY, in the #36 Sport Clips Chevrolet where he started 43rd and systematically maneuvered his way through the field to finish 14th, giving McGill Motorsports their best finish of the year. This weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, Mad Max will once again be behind the wheel of the #36 Sport Clips Chevrolet where he hopes to duplicate his Watkins Glen effort.
Mad Max’s first practice on an oval will come at 10:00 a.m. (EST) on Friday when the NASCAR Busch Series hits the track for its first practice. He will then have Rookie Practice at 11:10 a.m. (EST), followed by Final Practice at 11:55 a.m. (EST). Qualifying will begin at 6:35 p.m. (EST) on Friday evening and will be broadcast live on SPEED.
Mad Max has had a year that dreams are made of. The 2004 Grand Am Rolex Series Champion has also competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona, the Indianapolis 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the IROC Series and has taken his show to NASCAR; all of which have happened in 2006. Then during a brief intermission, his wife, Tatiana, delivered their first child, a son named, Marco. Most race car drivers do not accomplish these feats in an entire lifetime; Max Papis has accomplished them in a single season.
Papis, who has experience at Texas Motor Speedway in IROC, Champ Car, and the Indy Racing League, is looking forward to his first race on a demanding oval.
“I’m looking forward to getting on the track Friday and getting some experience on an oval in a stock car,” Papis said. “I am happy to be driving the Sport Clips Chevrolet again and I’ll be working with Ricky Pearson to get McGill Motorsports another good finish.”
Papis continued, “I am excited to have Gordon Logan (CEO of Sport Clips) and Sport Clips on-board for this race in Sport Clips’ home state and I look forward to meeting their customers when I do an appearance at the Roanoke Sport Clips store on Thursday night.”
Max Papis will be signing autographs on Thursday night at the Sport Clips location in Roanoke, TX, from 6:00 PM CST to 7:30 PM (CST). Please call (817) 491-3388 for directions or additional information.
The O’Reilly Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway will be televised live Saturday, November 4th at 2 p.m. (EST) on TNT. Motor Racing Network and XM Satellite Radio will also carry the live radio broadcast.
A native of Como, Italy, Papis moved up the ladder of European formulas during his late teens and early 20s before finding a Formula One test ride with Lotus and Honda in 1994. The following year, he competed in seven Formula One races with Arrows.
In 1996, Papis posted three wins in IMSA World Sports Car, then joined CART, where he won three races in five years. Since then, Papis has been one of the top competitors in American sports-car racing. He posted an overall win at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2002, a Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series championship in 2004, and class wins at the
12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Daytona and two runner-up finishes at the 24 Hours of LeMans. Papis also drives in the Crown Royal IROC Series and has added NASCAR to his already impressive resume.
Sport Clips, Inc. is a Georgetown, TX-based enterprise that is approaching 400 stores nationwide. Targeting men and boys, Sport Clips provides high-quality haircuts in a fun sports environment, complete with TVs at every Stylist’s station tuned to sports. Every Sport Clips has “guy smart” Stylists who focus on providing the highest level of service to every client. For a location near you or for franchise information, please visit: www.SportClips.com.
For more information about Max Papis, please visit: www.maxpapis.com.