Brad Keselowski to Pilot Blue Deuce Starting in 2011

Miller Lite Inks Multi-Year Deal, Extends 20-Year Partnership with Penske Racing

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Apr 21, 2010, 08:32 ET

CHICAGO, April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The tradition of great drivers in Penske Racing's No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge will continue as Brad Keselowski takes the wheel of the Blue Deuce beginning in 2011. The 26-year-old Keselowski is currently in his first full year on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, driving the No. 12 Penske Dodge.

"Brad is one of the hottest young drivers in NASCAR and we're thrilled to welcome him to the Miller Lite Racing family," said Andy England, chief marketing officer at MillerCoors. "Rarely in this sport are you presented with the opportunity to build a relationship with a top-tier driver at the start of his career. We look forward to 'tasting greatness' with Brad and Penske Racing in the years ahead."

Keselowski finished third in the NASCAR Nationwide Series standings in 2008 and 2009 and was voted by the fans as the most popular driver on the circuit both seasons. This year, he sits second in the Nationwide Series point standings, with six top-10 finishes in seven races. He recorded his first Sprint Cup victory last spring at Talladega.

"We're extremely proud of our long-standing partnership with MillerCoors and are excited to extend this successful relationship," said Roger Penske. "Brad is a tremendous talent with a bright future and I look forward to watching him continue the great tradition of the Blue Deuce."

For Keselowski, a third-generation driver, the move to the Miller Lite Dodge is a milestone moment.

"To follow champions like Rusty Wallace and Kurt Busch in the legendary Blue Deuce is a dream come true," Keselowski said. "The Miller Lite Racing team is accustomed to winning on and off the track, and I can't wait to do my part to build on that tradition."

Busch, currently ninth in the Sprint Cup standings, will continue to chase the Cup championship in the Miller Lite Dodge throughout the 2010 season. He then moves to Penske Racing's newly formed No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Dodge in 2011.

"Kurt is a champion, a great driver and has been an enthusiastic ambassador for Miller Lite over the past four years," England said. "We want to thank him for that, and we look forward to chasing the 2010 Sprint Cup championship with Kurt and the whole team at Penske Racing."

About MillerCoors

Built on a foundation of great beer brands and more than 288 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers. MillerCoors is the second largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales. Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment. Miller Lite is the great tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to refreshment as cold as the Rockies. MGD 64 completes the company's premium light beer portfolio, offering consumers fresh, crisp taste at just 64 calories. MillerCoors brews premium beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft; and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light. The company also imports Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell, Grolsch and Molson Canadian and offers innovative products such as Miller Chill and Sparks. MillerCoors features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company. MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel's craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, WI and two microbreweries, the 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver. MillerCoors vision is to create America's best beer company by driving profitable industry growth. MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company.

About Penske Racing

Penske Racing is one of the most successful teams in sports history. In 2010, Penske Racing competes in the NASCAR Cup Series with former Cup Series champion Kurt Busch and the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge, former three-time IndyCar Series champion Sam Hornish Jr. in the No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge and Brad Keselowski in the No. 12 Penske Dodge. The team also races in the Nationwide Series with Justin Allgaier, the 2009 series Rookie of the Year, in the No. 12 Verizon Dodge and multiple race-winner Keselowski driving the No. 22 Discount Tire and Ruby Tuesday Dodge. Competing in a variety of disciplines, cars owned and prepared by Penske Racing have produced more than 315 major race wins, over 370 pole positions and 22 national championships. For more information about Penske Racing, please visit www.penskeracing.com.

SOURCE Miller Lite