Key Motorsports announced that the team has signed veteran driver Chad Chaffin to drive the #40 Key Motorsports Chevy in the first four races on the 2006 Truck Series schedule, starting at Daytona in Feb. Key is committed to run all 25 races on the 2006 Truck Series schedule. “I had some of the best drivers in NASCAR drive my Busch Series cars from 1993 to 1999, and Chad (Chaffin) ranks right up there as far as his experience and ability to get on top of the wheel”, Team Owner Curtis Key explained. “Although Chad can’t commit at this time to more than the first four races with us because of his Nextel Cup commitment, we will continue to talk. Having the chance to drive for Key Motorsports will give him a great opportunity to see exactly what we have, and if he finds our Chevrolets and team to be competitive, I believe we can agree to more races as the season progresses”, Key added. Former Truck Series driver and now Key Motorsports Team Manager Lance Hooper will double as Crew Chief during the season for Chaffin. “I am excited with the opportunity that Curtis (Key) has given me to drive his trucks in at least the first four races of the 2006 season”, Chaffin said. “Curtis’ teams have always been known to have good equipment, and I know that I will find his trucks competitive. I plan on giving Key Motorsports the same effort behind the wheel that I have given to the other teams I have driven for, and it should also help me in my Nextel Cup opportunity as well”, added Chaffin, who is also gearing up for a full season in the Nextel Cup Series with Front Row Motorsports and owners Bill Jenkins and Jimmy Means. Due to a lack of sponsorship, the team has only run a limited schedule over the last two seasons, but Key has raised the funding to go full boar in 2006 as he continues to find full-time corporate funding for his organization. Key will use Hutter Engines to power his trucks this season. Brandon Whitt tested the Key Motorsports truck in Daytona a couple of weeks ago and recorded the 18th fastest speed despite not participating in any drafting sessions and with a short track motor.(Key Motorsports PR)(1-31-2006)
