[Discount Tire Direct]

Discount Tire has reached a multi-year agreement with Penske Racing and driver Brad Keselowski beginning with the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series. Discount Tire will serve as the primary sponsor for at least 26 races in next season's Nationwide Series on the Penske Racing No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Charger driven by Brad Keselowski. Earlier this month, Penske Racing announced that Keselowski will join the team and compete in full-season efforts in both the Nationwide and Cup Series, beginning next season. "We are looking forward to beginning our relationship with the Penske Racing team," said Bruce T. Halle, founder and chairman of Discount Tire, which has been a sponsor in NASCAR since 2004. "Roger Penske and his team have built a winning tradition. Our goal is to compete for race wins and championships with Penske Racing and we can't wait to see the first green flag in 2010."

"I look forward to representing Discount Tire and its over 750 retail locations as the company is a winner in its industry," said Brad Keselowski. "Like me, Discount Tire was born in Michigan, and that definitely adds special meaning for this new relationship." In addition to its Nationwide Series partnership with the team, Discount Tire will also become an associate sponsor on both the No. 12 Penske Dodge driven by Keselowski, as well as the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge driven by Kurt Busch, in the NASCAR Cup Series next season. "Penske Racing welcomes Discount Tire as a key partner in our NASCAR program," said Roger Penske. "Brad (Keselowski) is a proven winner and he will be a serious contender for the Nationwide Series championship next season. Discount Tire is a leader in tire retailing and an experienced NASCAR sponsor, and together we have created a powerful lineup for 2010 and beyond." Discount Tire will also join the winning Penske Racing IndyCar Series program as an associate sponsor on the team's Indianapolis 500 entries next season.



For third-generation driver Brad Keselowski, racing comes naturally. He grew up in a home where spending time at the race shop and the track was just a way of life. In 1998, the young Keselowski made the transition from turning wrenches for his family-owned team, K Automotive Motorsports, to racing.

In 2004, Keselowski ran eight races for K Automotive in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, followed by a complete schedule in 2005. He competed on a limited basis in both the NASCAR Nationwide and Truck Series in 2006. Keselowski started the 2007 season racing in the Nationwide Series until his team suspended operations in June. Later that month, he was called to drive for another team and scored them the Bud Pole Award, leading four times throughout the race while contending for the win. Keselowski was then hired by JR Motorsports and debuted in the # 88 Navy Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway in July 2007. In 14 starts, he scored five top 10 finishes for the team.

Keselowski enjoyed a breakout year in 2008, finishing third in the NASCAR Nationwide Series point standings -- the highest finish for a Series regular. He garnered two wins (Nashville and Bristol) and claimed the series Lap Leader Award for 2008. Keselowski was also named the 2008 Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver, an award voted on by the fans.

On the strength of his Nationwide Series performance, Keselowski made his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut in late 2008. He drove the #25 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports at Texas Motor Speedway in November, where he started 37th and finished 19th. Two weeks later, Keselowski raced the #25 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in the season finale, starting 31st and finishing 23rd.