Road specialist Papis to make debut at The Glen

Italian will attempt to qualify No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevy

By NASCAR.COM
July 28, 2006
05:45 PM EDT (21:45 GMT)
 
Road-racing specialist Max Papis, who has North American victories in Indy cars and sports cars on his resume, will attempt to make his Nextel Cup debut next month at Watkins Glen International.

Papis will drive the No. 78 Chevrolet fielded by Furniture Row Racing that has attempted every event this season, driven primarily by Kenny Wallace.

Furniture Row crew chief Joe Garone said the team is thrilled at the chance to work with Papis, who also has spent time in Formula One cars.

"Max is a world-class athlete, and we feel very fortunate to have him on board with us as we head into our road-course ventures at The Glen," Garone said. "We just returned from a test at Virginia International Raceway, which marks the first time we have worked together. Despite the bad weather, it was very promising."

Papis' signing appears to be bad news for Nextel Cup regular Travis Kvapil. Kvapil, who drives PPI Motorsports' No. 32 Chevrolet, was replaced in that car by road racer Ron Fellows earlier this season at Infineon Raceway. Fellows has also been entered in PPI's car for Watkins Glen.

Kvapil, who's made 17 of the 19 races he's attempted for PPI, attempted the race at Infineon in the No. 78 but did not qualify. A team spokesperson Friday said she was unsure whether Kvapil would accompany the PPI team to upstate New York for the Aug. 13 event.

Papis, who's been seen around NASCAR facilities often in the last several years as he explores opportunities in stock cars, is known as a fierce competitor on the track in various series.

Papis earned the nickname "Mad Max" for his on-track prowess at the 24 Hours of Daytona sports car race, which he first competed in in 1996 and won overall honors in 2002. Recently, he finished a career-best second in the Daytona Crown Royal IROC race, behind two-time Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart.

Stewart acknowledged Papis after his IROC win saying, "To me it's a huge honor to win this race with guys like Max Papis, who are really good on the road courses. This is probably one of the biggest wins I've had because of that."

Papis will utilize the expertise developed in his career to handle The Glen's 2.45-mile, 11-turn road course for Furniture Row Racing. Papis is anxiously awaiting the opportunity.

"I am very thankful for Furniture Row giving me the opportunity to make my first Nextel Cup start," Papis said. "The crew has been great to work with and Joe and I have a great relationship. I'm looking forward to getting in the No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet and having a strong run."

Papis, 36, said if he makes the race at The Glen, it will complete a nearly perfect year for him.

"I've run the Daytona 24 hours race, the Indy 500, Le Mans, watched Italy win the World Cup and, the most exciting thing, watched my son, Marco, being born," Papis said. "I am truly enjoying life right now and my NASCAR debut just adds to the excitement.

"I'm proud to represent my country, Italy, and to be the first Italian in the modern era to be in NASCAR and I'm going to work as hard as I can to make the most of the opportunity and make my country proud. I hope to have a great weekend at The Glen."

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 Cars, and 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.

He also secured two runner-up finishes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Papis has also driven in the Crown Royal IROC Series for the past two seasons.