MAX PAPIS & THE GECKO TO ROLL THE DICE IN VEGAS

Player Management International Media Release

Las Vegas, NV (September 24, 2009) – Nearly seven months ago, Max Papis embarked upon his debut season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.  Las Vegas Motor Speedway was the site and he out-qualified half the field, including NASCAR stars Dale Earnhardt, Jr, and Jeff Gordon.  Rolling off the starting grid 26th in the #13 GEICO Toyota Camry, Papis managed to impress fans and fellow competitors alike while sending the message that he had arrived.  
 
This weekend he returns to LVMS in the #9 GEICO Toyota Tundra for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday evening.  While the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series visits Dover this weekend, Papis’ Sprint Cup Series schedule is slated for just 18 races and permits him to spend what would be an ‘off weekend’ gaining experience and additional seat time in NASCAR’s Truck Series.  
 
A week ago, the 2004 Grand-Am Series champion made his first visit to New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where he participated in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and recorded a 22nd place finish in the #9 GEICO Toyota Tundra.  With a former visit to Vegas under his belt, Papis looks to capitalize on his experience and take the GEICO truck to the front of the field this weekend.  
 
“Last week was great experience in Loudon because I’ve never been there before and I definitely learned a lot in the GEICO truck,” Papis said.  “We ran the GEICO Cup car in Las Vegas in March and I feel comfortable going back there, so we’re going to do all we can to keep the GEICO truck up front and run with the top guys. This Germain team does a good job and we’ll continue to gain experience and focus on getting better come Saturday.”
 
The last time Papis said he felt ‘comfortable’ at a race track was in Watkins Glen, NY, where he notched an 8th place finish behind the wheel of the #13 GEICO Camry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.  All indications are that Papis is poised for a similar result at the 1.5-mile D-shaped oval that awaits him in Las Vegas.
 
Papis will hit the track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the opening practice session on Saturday, September 26th, at 12:00 PM (ET).  Final practice is scheduled for 1:45 PM (ET), with qualifying being held at 6:30 PM (ET).
 
The Las Vegas 350 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race is on Saturday, September 26th, and it will be televised live on SPEED beginning at 9:00 PM (ET), while the Motor Racing Network (MRN) will carry the live radio broadcast.
 
To learn more about the GEICO Racing program, please visit: www.geicogarage.com
 
You can also follow GEICO Racing on Twitter: www.twitter.com/geicoracing