HISPANIC NASCAR DRIVER AIMS FOR GRAND NATIONAL DIVISION-WEST SERIES TITLE AND ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Source: js
Date: 03/27/2007

Glendora, Calif. -- Mike Gallegos of Wheat Ridge, Colorado will pilot the #77 King Taco Ford Taurus for Performance Motorsports as they head to Thunder Hill Raceway in Kyle, Texas for the Allstate Texas Thunder 150, the season-opening race of the 14-race NASCAR Grand National Division- West Series, March 31, 2007.

Gallegos comes to Performance Motorsports by way of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program, NASCAR's leading on-track diversity initiative that gives minority and female drivers an opportunity to compete in NASCAR's developmental series. Gallegos first joined the Drive for Diversity program in 2005 and raced at Carraway (N.C.) Speedway where he grabbed the first pole position in the Drive for Diversity program's young history. In the same year, Gallegos earned Rookie of the Year honors.

"His skills are impressive," said Joe Nava, Performance Motorsports team owner. "He is capable of winning races this year. We have very high hopes for Mike."

The reason behind these hopes in Gallegos lies in a glance at his career performance.

Gallegos started racing go-karts at 12 years of age. In only his third season, he won the Junior 2 division championship.

In 1999, Gallegos tackled the competitive Legends Cars series and emerged as Rookie of the Year while winning the Colorado Young Lions state championship.

Gallegos advanced to Late Model Stock Cars in 2001 and became the youngest driver to complete a full season in the premier Late Model division at Colorado National Speedway.

After three seasons in the Super Late Model division, Gallegos graduated to the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division Series where he competed in several races.

Last season, Gallegos finished seventh in the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Midwest Series points standings. He finished 12th in the prestigious NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale Speedway in California.

"I'm really excited about this year and ready to kick it off in Texas," said Gallegos. "Everyone at Performance Motorsports has worked hard in the off-season to prepare us for the 2007 season. I'm impressed with the dedication of my entire team."

In 2007, the Crew Chief duties will be in the capable hands of Jason McGriff, the son of legendary NASCAR driver, Hershel McGriff, Jr. McGriff, a life-long regular in NASCAR garages across the country, comes to Performance Motorsports with many years of race car tuning experience. He currently works for Joiner Motorsports in Bakersfield, California.

"Mike Gallegos is a promising young talent with many years of racing experience," explained McGriff. "We are focused on getting Mike Gallegos to victory lane many times this year."

The NASCAR Grand National Division will include the Busch East Series and the West Series, with a new, expanded schedule featuring 14 races for each series designed to further showcase the two series nationally. Each series schedule will have 13 championship points races and the fifth annual NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, an invitational event that includes the top drivers from both series.

In an effort to bring more visibility to the sport, NASACAR recently announced an expanded and comprehensive television broadcast package for 2007 with the NASCAR Grand National Division.

"We are excited that HDNet will provide live TV coverage of the NASCAR Grand National Division," said Joe Nava. "The NASCAR Grand National Division drivers put on a great show for the fans. This TV package will provide additional exposure to our sponsors and to our driver, Mike Gallegos."

The TV package features live coverage in high definition on HDNet, which began a partnership with NASCAR three years ago with its coverage of the NASCAR Grand National Division and thus provided NASCAR its first live television package for the series.

In addition, SPEED will provide expanded coverage of the NASCAR Grand National Division in 2007, as the network will air 23 races as part of its Racing Across America series, re-airing all 16 of HDNet's live events while originally producing six others. SPEED's coverage of the division will culminate with live post-season coverage of the prestigious NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown in October.

About Performance Motorsports

Performance Motorsports roots date back to the 1970's, running at tracks such as Ontario Motor Speedway and Riverside Raceway. The West Coast team had drivers such as Ray Elder, Greg Sacks, Jimmy Insolo, Steve Vaughan, Vince Giamformaggio, Steve Portenga, Greg Pursley and Joe Bean.

Performance Motorsports started racing in the NASCAR Grand American Division which later became the Southwest Tour. The SWT's first Rookie of the Year award was sponsored by one of Performance Motorsport's affiliate companies.

Performance Motorsports has a history of working on driver development programs and has worked with up and coming drivers such as Michelle Theriault and Jose Luis Ramirez. Both drivers are continuing their Grand National careers.

Special thanks to our fine sponsors who make it possible for us to run for the championship in 2007: Auto Marine Engineering, Jan's Towing, Joor Brothers Metal Service, King Taco Restaurants, Stoughton Printing and Superior Gear & Axle.

For more information about Mike Gallegos, Performance Motorsports or for sponsorship inquiries please contact Jim Sullivan at 818-231-4779 or email JimSullivan30@gmail.com.

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