MIAMI, Feb. 18, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- MAG Motorsports Team Owner and Founder Mike Gallu announces the addition of Jacksonville native Chris Fowler to his racing team. Twenty-eight year-old Fowler's previous racing record includes 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th place finishes in the 2002-03 Skip Barber Formula Dodge Southern Series.
Gallu has 20 years of automotive engineering experience and also has raced sports and open-wheel Formula race cars in the Skip Barber Program. Fowler joins driver Steve Lamb, who has a diverse background in a variety of racing venues, including more than ten years of stock car racing experience. Lamb and the MAG Motorsports Team finished the 2003 season 4th in points in their first time to compete in the Florida Pro Series. Lamb also received a special award for "Good Sportsmanship" in 2003.
Fowler, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at six months old, joins MAG in their quest to secure additional team sponsors for 2004 and beyond. Current sponsors of MAG Motorsports include Quantum Information Systems, Wheel Outlet Motorsports and Xtreme I.T.
"Having Chris as part of our team can only increase our chances of moving up the ranks to a first-place finish. Paired with the right sponsors, his determination, motivation and willingness to learn will only benefit the entire team," Gallu said.
Fowler is even more determined to win races, as he has pledged to donate 10 percent of his race winnings to the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation, headquartered in Bethesda, Md. Gallu also has pledged to match Fowler's ten percent of the Team winnings back to the CF Foundation.
CF is a genetic disease that affects approximately 30,000 people in the United States. A defective gene causes the body to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus that leads to chronic and life-threatening lung infections and impairs digestion.
"I am pleased to be associated with MAG Motorsports. Mike and his team are helping me achieve my dream of becoming a professional race car driver. I am leading a healthy, normal life and look forward to the CFF finding a cure for my disease," Fowler said.
C. Richard Mattingly, chief operating officer of the CF Foundation, said, "Chris' commitment to CF research and his drive for success in the professional racing arena are truly admirable. He is a unique individual that is determined not to let CF stand in the way of his dreams. We appreciate Chris' support as we strive to find better treatments and a cure for this disease. We know his example will be an inspiration to the many young people living with CF throughout the country."
The team plans to race in the Florida Sunbelt Series, as well as the NASCAR Touring Series this spring. Sponsorship packages are available at www.magmotorsports.com. Additional information about Fowler is available at www.fowlerracing.com. Interested sponsors may contact Tracy Rummel at 713-294-9888, 888-248-4521 or tracy@brandsoup.com for more information.
(Note to Editors: e-mail Tracy Rummel at Tracy@brandsoup.com for pictures related to this release.)