Driver Matt Kenseth Will Be Signing Autographs Oct. 18

Racer Matt Kenseth is currently just six points out in the standings in NASCAR's Nextel Chase for the Cup... but he's first in the hearts of Mooney pilots, especially since he recently agreed to purchase a Mooney Acclaim. Aero-News has learned Kenseth will be signing autographs and greeting potential Mooney customers during the National Business Aviation Association conference in Orlando.

Kenseth will be at the at the company's NBAA Static Display at Orlando Executive Airport Wednesday, October 18, along with a model of a Mooney Acclaim similar to the one he recently bought.

The newest addition to the Mooney product family, the turbo-normalized Acclaim will cruise at 237 knots at 25,000 feet. It is equipped with the popular Garmin G1000 avionics suite which features two flat panel liquid crystal displays, a GDL69A weather uplink with XM satellite radio, a GTX 330 mode "S" transponder, and an STEC 55X autopilot. Premier Aircraft Sales of Fort Lauderdale, Florida helped Kenseth get together with Mooney officials, and all parties completed the deal following a meeting at Oshkosh.

Kenseth has won three times this season -- in February at the Auto Club 500 at the California Speedway, on June 4 in the Neighborhood Excellence 400 at Dover International Speedway, and on August 20 in the GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway. He finished fourth in last Sunday's Chase for the Nextel Cup race at Talladega. 

A licensed private pilot with multi-engine and instrument ratings, he also owns another single engine airplane, as well as a pressurized twin which he has used to commute to NASCAR racing venues.

"Matt Kenseth freely admits he is attracted to speed in whatever form," explained Mooney Vice President of Sales and Marketing David Copeland.

"That 'need for speed' has certainly been a positive force in making him one of racing's premier drivers. We're pleased he has decided to 'lead with speed' in his choice of a new airplane. He definitely has an appreciation for well-crafted, reliable high performance machines -- which was a key factor in his interest in the Acclaim."

"I'm really impressed with the Mooney Acclaim and the performance it offers," Kenseth said. "It's true that its speed caught my attention, but I am also impressed by its safety record, the attention to detail and workmanship that goes into each airplane, the tubular steel-reinforced cabin and the state-of-the-art navigational and communications package," he added.

Kenseth will continue the Chase for the Cup on October 22 at the Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, VA. 

FMI: www.mooney.com, www.nascar.com