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The V Foundation for Cancer Research was started in 1993 to honor Jim Valvano. From very humble beginnings of Jim’s personal friends and family, The Foundation grew. Today, that circle of friends has expanded and the support structure of The Foundation includes people of all walks of life, those who knew Jim personally, those who knew of Jim and many who have joined the cause simply because they believe in the possibility of Jim’s final wish – to fund research to find cures for cancer.

The V Foundation takes great pride in its fiscal responsibility and is proud to announce that it gives 100 percent of all new direct cash donations to cancer research and related programs. Administrative and fundraising expenses are paid by our endowment.

Find Out More:
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> http://www.jimmyv.org

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Kelly Bires will be back in the driver seat of the No. 18 Heil Heating and Cooling Products Toyota this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway for Joe Gibbs Racing. Bires last raced in Richmond for JGR. After qualifying eighth he was caught up in an early accident that left him several laps off the pace and went on to finish 30th. This will be Bires’ fourth race in Chicago and first since the 2009 season. His best finish at Chicagoland came in 2008 with a 12th-place effort.

The No. 18 Toyota will have Heil Heating and Cooling Products as the primary sponsor once again this Saturday. Heil, which was also on the car for Bires in Richmond, is part of International Comfort Products, a leading North American manufacturer of quality residential and light commercial gas furnaces, split-system air conditioners, package air conditioners, split-system heat pumps, package heat pumps, package gas/electric combination units and oil furnaces. Major brands include Heil®, Tempstar®, Comfortmaker®, Arcoaire®, KeepRite® and Day & Night™. For more information about ICP and its products and services, visit www.icpusa.com.

Kelly Bires Nationwide Series Results at Chicagoland Speedway:

#18 International Comfort Products Heil Camry

Kelly Bires On Race This Weekend At Chicagoland Speedway:

“I’m excited to have another opportunity to drive the No. 18 Heil Heating and Cooling Products Toyota this weekend in Chicago. The first go around in Richmond didn’t go exactly the way I hoped, but we had been fast in practice and qualifying and hopefully we can put together the same type of effort in Chicago and have the results to go with it. Working with Jason (crew chief Jason Ratcliff) and everyone at JGR is a tremendous experience and I’m thrilled to get back in the car.”

About International Comfort Products, LLC
International Comfort Products, LLC, is a leading North American manufacturer of quality residential and light commercial gas furnaces, split-system air conditioners, package air conditioners, split-system heat pumps, package heat pumps, package gas/electric combination units and oil furnaces. Major brands include Heil®, Tempstar®, Comfortmaker®, Arcoaire®, KeepRite® and Day & Night™.

For more information about ICP and its products and services, visit www.icpusa.com.

About Joe Gibbs Racing:
Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is one of the premier organizations in NASCAR, currently fielding three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams, three NASCAR Nationwide Series teams and a driver development program. Its driver lineup consists of Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch and Joey Logano in the Sprint Cup Series, while Brian Scott joins those three in the Nationwide Series along with Michael McDowell and Kelly Bires. JGR also boasts Max Gresham in the K&N Pro Series East and Darrell Wallace, Jr. in its driver development program. Based in Huntersville, N.C., and owned by Joe Gibbs – a three-time Super Bowl winner as head coach of the Washington Redskins and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame – JGR has competed in NASCAR since 1992, winning three Cup Series championships, and three Nationwide Series owner’s championship along with more than 150 NASCAR races, including three Brickyard 400s and the 1993 Daytona 500.

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Richmond is one of the toughest short tracks we race at. Speeds are extremely fast for being a track under a mile in length. All aspects of a racecar must be spot on the run well from the mechanic and aero grip. Maintaining brakes is key to be able to run hard at the end of the race. You will definitely see brake rotors cherry red and people having brake issues.

Last year at the spring Richmond race I qualified 25th but finished 11th running behind Brad Keselowski, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and few other Sprint Cup drivers. I’m extremely excited to be driving the #18 Heil Heating and Cooling Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing. We are well-prepared and are focused on running up front all night long. Be sure to watch Friday night at 7:30 PM eastern on SPEED!

Kelly Bires Inks Slinger Nationals
32nd Annual Miller Lite Nationals July 10

(Slinger, WI) Mauston Wisconsin’s Kelly Bires has been busy this week working out deals for his fledging NASCAR career. Thursday he announced a two race deal in the potent Joe Gibbs Racing Nationwide number 18 Toyota. Today Kelly inked a deal with Slinger Speedway to compete in the 32nd Annual Miller Lite Nationals, Sunday night July 10.

While Kelly is working diligently to secure a full time ride in NASCAR, taking time out for a short track race may not make sense to some. The Slinger Nationals is not just another short track race, it’s an annual tradition rich with history and the Slinger Nationals is another way to showcase his talent against some of the best short track racers in the country. Former Slinger Nationals Champions are well known and some jump started their careers winning events like the Slinger Nationals. Mark Martin, Alan Kulwicki, Joe Shear, Dick Trickle, Rich Bickle, and Matt Kenseth are just a few of that took on the high banks of Slinger Speedway.

Kelly Bires and Kyle Busch have a couple of things in common now, they will both be driving the JGR 18 car this season, and they will both be racing to win the Larry Detjens Cup at the Slinger Nationals. Kyle will be one of the toughest competitors Kelly will face at the Slinger Nationals. Last year Kyle was leading with 9 laps to go only to cut a tire down and end up with a DNF. Kyle is headed back again this year for one purpose, to win, and now he will have to beat Kelly Bires too.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Todd Thelen
Cell: 262-370-0440
Fax: 262-567-2837
Email: slingerspeedway1@aol.com
www.slingerrocks.com
www.slingersuperspeedway.com

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HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (April 14, 2011) – Joe Gibbs Racing, Inc. announced today that Kelly Bires will drive two races for its No. 18 NASCAR Nationwide Series team as part of a partnership with International Comfort Products, LLC (“ICP”), a leader in the heating and cooling systems industry, with its brands Heil®, Tempstar®, Comfortmaker®, Arcoaire®, KeepRite® and Day & Night™.

Bires will be behind the wheel of JGR’s No. 18 Toyota on April 29 at Richmond International Raceway and June 4 at Chicagoland Speedway.

#18 International Comfort Products Heil Camry

“We look forward to having Kelly and ICP on board with us in Richmond and Chicago,” said J.D. Gibbs, President of Joe Gibbs Racing. “Kelly is a driver with a bright future in our sport and the 18 team is excited to have him on board as they compete for their third straight Nationwide Series Owner’s Championship.”

Bires is in his fifth season driving in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with three top-five and 12 top-ten finishes in 82 career starts. He has made four starts so far in 2011. Bires has five career starts in Richmond with a best finish of 11th in 2009 and has made three career starts in Chicago with a best finish of 12th during the 2008 season.

“This is exactly the type of partnership ICP needs to build its relationships with our dealers,” Brian Cash, Marketing Manager, with ICP explained. “Kelly is a terrific young man and fantastic shoe in the car. Like our dealers, he has earned his way through every step of his career; we feel he represents our company and our customers well. ICP was founded on a standard of excellence and Kelly shares those same values with us.”

This is Bires fourth year of involvement with ICP and also marks the reunion of ICP with Crew Chief Jason Ratcliff. “Jason was the crew chief for Casey Atwood in 1999, our first year of involvement in NASCAR.” stated Edward Winston, Area Sales Manager with ICP, “Jason brought us to the winner circle back then, hopefully we will be back there again!.

“I’m thrilled to continue the partnership with ICP and have this opportunity to race for JGR,” said Bires. “ICP and its dealers have stuck with me through the tough times and I am really looking forward to a good run with the No. 18 team. Obviously this team has experienced a lot of success over the past few years and it’s exciting to have a chance to contribute to their season.”

About International Comfort Products, LLC
International Comfort Products, LLC, is a leading North American manufacturer of quality residential and light commercial gas furnaces, split-system air conditioners, package air conditioners, split-system heat pumps, package heat pumps, package gas/electric combination units and oil furnaces. Major brands include Heil®, Tempstar®, Comfortmaker®, Arcoaire®, KeepRite® and Day & Night™.

For more information about ICP and its products and services, visit www.icpusa.com.

About Joe Gibbs Racing:
Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is one of the premier organizations in NASCAR, currently fielding three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams, three NASCAR Nationwide Series teams and a driver development program. Its driver lineup consists of Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch and Joey Logano in the Sprint Cup Series, while Brian Scott joins those three in the Nationwide Series along with Michael McDowell and Kelly Bires. JGR also boasts Max Gresham in the K&N Pro Series East and Darrell Wallace, Jr. in its driver development program. Based in Huntersville, N.C., and owned by Joe Gibbs – a three-time Super Bowl winner as head coach of the Washington Redskins and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame – JGR has competed in NASCAR since 1992, winning three Cup Series championships, and three Nationwide Series owner’s championship along with more than 150 NASCAR races, including three Brickyard 400s and the 1993 Daytona 500.

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Download Press Release as PDF:

Click here to read the full story: Kelly Bires To Drive Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 18 NASCAR Nationwide Series Toyota In Richmond and Chicago

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