Mad Max Papis & Sport Clips to Run Texas NASCAR Busch Series Race

PMI Press Release - Contact: Doug Barnette (217) 443-2525

Miami, FL (October 16, 2006) – Max Papis has had an exciting year, including making his NASCAR debut in Watkins Glen, NY, on August 12th.  Now Papis will add 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.  Sport Clips will once again be the primary sponsor on the Italian’s #36 McGill Motorsports Chevrolet.    

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.     

Saturday, August 12th was the day that Papis proved to the world that he could officially race anything on four wheels when he made his NASCAR Busch Series debut in Watkins Glen, NY.  Qualifying in Watkins Glen took place in a “European-style” format in which Papis would ultimately find himself starting from the 43rd position.  When the green flag dropped, Mad Max took over and the #36 Sport Clips Chevrolet went straight forward picking up positions one at a time.  Papis would run solidly in the Top 15 before claiming 14th position when the checkered flag waved, giving McGill Motorsports their best result of the 2006 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 continuing the relationship that I have with John McGill and Ricky Pearson,” Papis said.  “It means a lot to me that Sport Clips CEO Gordon Logan believes in me enough to join this effort in Texas.  We had a great run at the Glen and I’m looking forward to proving myself on an oval track in NASCAR and prove that I belong here.” 

Papis continued, "I'm proud to be the first Italian in the modern era to debut in NASCAR and represent my country, Italy.  We had a great run at Watkins Glen and I am looking forward to running in Texas and having the opportunity to race on the biggest stage in the United States.”

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.