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Jason Keller and TriStar Motorsports to Run Nationwide Series

by Scott Keepfer
The Greenville News

Jason Keller has had a steering wheel in his lap for as long as he can remember.

For the past several months, however, that steering wheel has been attached to a forklift.

"I've been working for my dad's business, driving a forklift all winter," said Keller, a NASCAR regular for the past 17 seasons. "It has actually been a very pleasant winter."

But as winter gives way to spring, Keller's thoughts again are turning to racing.

The Greenville stock car driver announced Friday an agreement with TriStar Motorsports of Mooresville, N.C., to drive the team's No. 19 Chevrolet on the Nationwide Series this season.

With the season-opening race at Daytona looming on Feb. 13, Keller will have to make a quick transition.

"We're gonna buckle down and go," he said.

TriStar team owner Mark Smith, who said "our intention is to run the whole season (schedule)," has been out of the ownership business since 1997, but before that his team featured drivers such as Bobby Hamilton and Loy Allen Jr., in the 1990s. Smith has focused on building engines in recent years, most notably ones used by Ron Hornaday Jr. en route to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series title last season.

"This is our biggest effort to get back in on the other side of it," Smith said.

Smith said he has known Keller for years and feels comfortable with him behind the wheel.

"I have a lot of respect for him," Smith said. "I like his consistency. The guy never gives up. I think he's smart in the way he races. He takes care of equipment and his experience goes forever."

Keller, 39, parted ways with Baker Curb Racing at the end of last season following his 10th career Top 10 finish in the Nationwide points standings.

Click here to read more at: Greenville's Keller gets a ride for 2010