Ranger to drive seven of last 10 N'wide races for Fitz

TROIS-RIVIERES, Quebec -- Andrew Ranger, the reigning NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion, will participate in seven of the season's 10 remaining Nationwide Series races, starting Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Ranger, who made his series debut at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal three weeks ago for Fitz Motorsports, will again drive for Fitz in his remaining 2008 series races. Friday night's event at Bristol will be a first for the 21-year-old from Roxton Pond, Quebec -- a Nationwide Series race on an oval track.

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Ranger also is confirmed to participate in the races at Richmond, Charlotte, Memphis, Texas and Phoenix and will close out the season in Homestead.

Ranger will continue and complete his season in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series where he will attempt to win consecutive championships. He is presently fourth in the standings only 134 points out of first place. He has two wins this season -- at road courses in Montreal and Trois-Rivieres.

"I really loved his perseverance in Montreal. This promising driver is not afraid to mix it up. His profile is also exactly the image we want our team and sponsors to portray," team owner Armando Fitz said.

"I am really happy and honored that Fitz Motorsports has chosen me as their driver for these races," Ranger said. "To run in the Nationwide Series is a new challenge for me and also an excellent path for my career as a NASCAR driver. I am more than ready to take this on and I will give it everything I've got to position myself as a contender in this series.

"I want to thank all the fans that encourage me continually, their support is very important for me. I would also like to thank my sponsors who are offering me an opportunity to realize a dream. However, I want to indicate that I will continue to compete in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series."