Pursley Poised for Phoenix Podium

Greg Pursley Owns the Qualifying Record at Phoenix; Ready to Claim Victory

PARKER, ARIZ (March 29, 2010) – Greg Pursley, driver of the GPM Performance Parts Ford in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series-West, is ready for a Phoenix victory after setting the series qualifying record at the famed one-mile paved oval in this event last year. Last season, Pursley sat on the pole for the race and ran among the leaders only to have victory snatched from him on the final few circuits ultimately finishing fifth. He has his sights squarely on victory Thursday evening in the Jimmie Johnson Foundation "100".

Phoenix is a track where everyone wants to win at. A place that every aspiring racer wants to race. It is an opportunity where drivers can showcase their talent and team in front of NASCAR's upper echelon. Pursley knows the importance of Phoenix, a track where he owns the qualifying record set last season. "Phoenix has always been my favorite track," Pursley said. "It's an important track for us and I have always enjoyed racing there."

Pursley's best finish at the D-shaped oval in NASCAR K&N Pro Series competition is fifth, which he has scored on two occasions (02, 09). "We are really good on the big tracks and we have a lot of confidence about racing them," Pursley said. "Our struggles have been on the short tracks and after Roseville we think we have figured out some stuff where we are going to be much better."

Despite owning the track record at Phoenix, Pursley does not think this year's event will produce a better lap time. "NASCAR has instituted a new gear rule this season that gives us less gear," Pursley offered. "I know we will still be fast but I think our record is safe for a while."

Though he is running the same car as he did last year, the setup is completely different. "With the race being 100-laps this year we have to really think about qualifying and being at the front of the field front the start," Pursley said. "Jerry Pitts (crew chief) and all the guys in the shop are ready and have put a great setup under the car that I know will be fast. My goal is to start up front and finish there."

While winning is his immediate goal, Pursley is also focused on finishing well in each race. “It’s critical at any track, due to the fact that we only have 12 races,” he said. “Throughout the year, you really cannot have a bad race. You’ve got to have a good race every time, if you want to be there for the championship.”

Greg Pursley is in his third full season of competition in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and is coming off a third place performance in last year's point standings and a seventh place finish of round one of the 12-race campaign.  Pursley has 30 career starts, one win (Thunder Hill 2009), with ten top five and 17 top ten performances along with two Coors Light Pole Awards. Pursley is the 2004 NASCAR Whelen All American Series National Champion where he competed at Toyota Speedway and was a multi-time winner on the now defunct NASCAR Southwest Tour where he competed for many years.

Greg Pursley is sponsored by GPM Performance Parts, Star Nursery, Ron’s Rear Ends, and Finish Line Signs & Designs. The GPM team operates out of a state-of-the-art facility in Parker, AZ. The race from Phoenix will be broadcast on SPEED Channel on Thursday, April 22 at 3PM PT. For all the latest news and information on about Greg Pursley and Gene Price Motorsports, log onto www.genepricemotorsports.com. Gene Price Motorsports operates a full-service race shop and performance parts store. Log onto their website or email Greg at greg@genepricemotorsports.com for details and for sponsorship opportunities. To keep tabs on racing throughout the west, log onto www.racingwest.com and to follow the NASCAR K&N Pro Series log onto www.nascarhometracks.com.