Nelson Piquet Jr. to run several ARCA events with Eddie Sharp Racing

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Thursday, March 4, 2010) - Nelson Piquet Jr. signed on with Eddie Sharp Racing to drive several upcoming races in the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards.

Piquet Jr. and the ESR team will compete in the Rattlesnake 150 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 16, the Racing for Wildlife 200 at Michigan International Speedway on June 11 and the Pennsylvania ARCA 125 at Pocono Raceway on July 31.

"I consider this opportunity to work with Eddie Sharp Racing the next phase of my development in stock car racing," Piquet Jr. said. "ESR is the perfect team to work with to learn about the sport because of their championship team and great driver development track record in the ARCA Racing Series."

Piquet Jr. finished 27th in his first stock car race in his ARCA Racing Series debut at Daytona International Speedway. Although disappointed with his finish in his first stock car finish, Piquet Jr. went on to finish sixth in his debut in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on Feb. 12.

"I learned a lot in the Daytona ARCA race, and I know it helped me with my sixth place finish in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series," Piquet Jr. said.

In continuing with tradition of building up drivers to be successful in NASCAR, Eddie is excited to work with Piquet Jr. once again and grow the former Formula One driver into a dominant force in stock cars.

"I am extremely excited to be working with Nelson again," Sharp said. "I am very impressed that he has recognized the value of getting seat time in the ARCA Racing Series."

Mike Calinoff will be the spotter for Piquet Jr.'s ARCA Racing Series appearances. Calinoff, who is also the spotter for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver No. 17 Matt Kenseth and NASCAR Nationwide Series driver No. 6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., worked with Piquet Jr. in his ARCA Racing Series and NCWS debuts.

"I am looking forward to working with Nelson again," Calinoff said. "Since the Daytona race, we have become good friends, and I look forward to continuing to build our relationship and his skills on the track."

Release courtesy of Activ8 Communications