Category: Other Series PR

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Michigan (March 29, 2011) – – Robb Brent, the most recent ARCA winner at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway has different goals in 2011 than he had last year. After competing in the full ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season in 2010 driving for Allgaier Motorsports, sponsorship woes have sidelined Brent thus far this year. However, Brent, the Shelby Township, Michigan native is vowing to return to racing in some way, shape or form in 2011.

Currently, Brent spends his days working for his father’s Bob Brent Orchard Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership in the Great Lakes state but between those duties, Brent himself is pounding the pavement while trying to stay realistic about returning to the series this year.

“It’s not easy not being in a race car,” Brent admitted. “I love racing. Unfortunately, the sponsorship we’ve had over the last couple of seasons could not continue this year, so we’ve had to regroup. I have some things in the works. It’s just really time consuming and sometimes can be extremely frustrating.

I won’t give up though. I want to race and I’m talking to some different teams about some of the ARCA races this season in case sponsorship does come through. Of course, I would like to race at Pocono, the road course at New Jersey and most definitely at my home track at Michigan. Right now, one race, three races or 10 races, I’ll be thankful for whatever I can get.”

Despite not competing on the racetrack, the recent Northwood University graduate is keeping his local charity work in-check which includes activities through the Macomb Charitable Foundation.

“I’m thankful that I developed a great relationship with the Macomb Charitable Foundation,” Brent explained. “Even though, I’m not on the track, it doesn’t mean I can walk away from the people that have supported my racing career.”

Brent also expressed about a new chapter in his racing career that he feels is gaining momentum. “I’m trying to help some of the ARCA Racing Series drivers become more familiar with New Jersey Motorsports Park. I love racing there. In fact, we almost won there last year if not for a mechanical gremlin. I’m chatting with some fellow colleagues about some private test sessions and just going up to the track and working with them on their set-up, their finesse around the track, things like that. Anything like that to keep my name out there is crucial in times like this.”

For more on Robb Brent, sponsorship opportunities and official team merchandise, please visit Robbbrentracing.com .

National Guard Panther Racing Team Prepares to Open IZOD IndyCar Series Season

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – (March 25, 2011) – The IZOD IndyCar Series season officially kicked off Friday on the Streets of St. Petersburg as the 2011 field took to the exciting 14-turn, 1.8-mile course on a sunny afternoon. National Guard Panther Racing driver JR Hildebrand made his debut in the No. 4 car, and posted a quick lap speed of 99.614 mph, 1:05.0510 seconds which was good enough for 22nd position on the final speed chart for the day.

Hildebrand completed a total of 53 laps during the day’s two practice sessions, which was tops amongst the 25 drivers who registered laps on the day. The Californian was third amongst the five rookies in the field. During his Firestone Indy Lights career, Hildebrand made four starts in St. Pete, collecting a pole position(2009, Race 1) and three Top Five finishes in addition to leading a total of 22 laps.

There will be another practice session tomorrow and the three-round knockout qualification will be held tomorrow afternoon to determine the starting field for Sunday’s race.

The IZOD IndyCar Series season opener will be held Sunday, March 27 on the Streets of St. Petersburg, with live coverage provided by ABC starting at 12:30 p.m. (ET) and additional coverage provided by the IMS Radio Network, XM Channel 145 and Sirius Channel 121.

JR Hildebrand, No. 4 National Guard Dallara Honda:

“We got caught up in traffic when we were at our best there at the end, and for sure there is a lot more in the National Guard car. But more than anything by the end of the second session we got a little bit more of a handle on where we really need to go. We made some good changes in between the first and second session and where the fast guys picked up a half a second we picked up a full second. There’s more to go and we’ve figured out where that is, and the direction we want to go should help in getting more out of our new tires and in a variety of areas. It’s certainly a competitive field but I have no doubts that once we’re firing on all cylinders we’ll be up with the quick guys.”

http://www.JRHildebrandRacing.com www.JRHildebrandRacing.com – www.pantherracing.com – www.NationalGuard.com

CONCORD, North Carolina (March 25, 2011) – – CGH Motorsports announced today two personnel changes to its ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards in an effort to strengthen its program as the second of 19 races this season approaches on April 15 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

Rob Torrey, otherwise known as “Bucket” has joined the team from a consultant role to crew chief of the No. 58 Tastee Apple Chevrolet Impala effective immediately. Torrey joined the CGH Motorsports team last year in a consultant role to work with the team’s former crew chief.

His work ethic, guidance and faith in driver Chad Hackenbracht prompted the move for the family-owned team to make his outsider role more permanent. Torrey’s former roles include crew chief, car chief in the ARCA Racing Series and NASCAR.

The Concord-North Carolina based team also announced that Kevin Reed has joined the stables as director of competition. Reed joins the team after a stint at Venturini Motorsports. In 2010, Reed was the crew chief for Mikey Kile. During their season the two achieved two poles, one win (Michigan International Speedway), seven top-fives and 15 top-10 finishes. Reed also last season was named the Cometic crew chief of the year award in the ARCA Racing Series.

“We are pleased to make these announcements,” said CGH Motorsports team owner Greg Hackenbracht. “Both Bucket and Kevin bring a lot to the table as far as experience and success and undoubtedly, we feel like that their presence with CGH Motorsports will bring great results to the team.”

With both team members participating with 19-year old Chad Hackenbracht at the open ARCA Racing Series test at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway next Tuesday and Wednesday, the New Philadelphia, Ohio native is looking forward to the rest of the season.

“I’m excited to work with Bucket on a more permanent basis,” said Hackenbracht, who plans to make his second career start at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway next month. “He has helped me mature in a lot of ways inside the race car. I’m looking forward to improving that relationship throughout the season.

I saw the great things that Kevin was able to do with Mikey (Kile) last year and I think he will be a great asset to Bucket not only at the shop but on top of the pit box on race day. I’m really pumped with the overall direction of our race team.”

CGH Motorsports bid towards a full-season continues next Tuesday and Wednesday where the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will host an open-test at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in preparation for the ARCA Racing Series 250 on Friday, April 15.

CGH Motorsports is actively seeking additional marketing partners for the full 2011 ARCA Racing Series schedule. Single, multi and full-season placements are available on the team’s No. 58 entries. Interested parties are urged to contact Jordan Dahl at 570.234.5449 or jordan@cghmotorsports.com.

For more information on Chad Hackenbracht and CGH Motorsports, please visit ChadHackenbracht.com http://www.chadhackenbracht.com/ and CGHMotorsports.com .

About CGH Motorsports:

CGH Motorsports (CGHMotorsports.com ), established in 2007 by Ohio entrepreneur Greg Hackenbracht is located in a 10,000 sq. foot facility located in Concord, North Carolina. CGH Motorsports is home of rising sensation Chad Hackenbracht, who competed in nine ARCA Racing Series races in 2010 after an aggressive ARCA testing schedule in 2009. Chad Hackenbracht is the 2008 National Asphalt Legends champion, winning 33 percent of his races and finishing in the top-10, 85 percent of the events he competed in. The team will step up their commitment from a partial schedule and prepare for a hopeful full-season ARCA championship assault beginning in February 2011.

“Upcoming Driver Ready For First Talladega Tango”

MOORESVILLE, North Carolina (March 25, 2011) – – Maryeve (pronounced Mary-EV) Dufault (pronounced DU-FAU), the 2011 ARCA Racing Series (ARS) presented by Menards Rookie of the Year candidate is emerging from nearly a six week break ready to test next week at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in preparation for round two of the season.

Dufault, driver of the No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger will tackle the smooth 2.66-mile superspeedway for the first time on Tuesday and Wednesday but the Sorel, Quebec Canada native is looking for the same consistency she showed during pre-season testing at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

“I’m looking forward to getting back in the No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger,” said Dufault, a resident of Redondo Beach, California. “The break was a nice refresher after Daytona but I’m anxious to get back behind the wheel and continue our season for Tony Marks Racing.”

Dufault who entered ARCA after stint in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 and a successful and impressive career in Formula cars is looking to finish what she started at Daytona in the Talladega ARCA 250 on April 15th.

After qualifying 24th, Dufault kept her No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger in the lead draft and was on-track for a satisfying finish before becoming an innocent victim the “big one” just 16 laps from the finish.

“I learned a lot at Daytona,” she said. “I learned a lot about the car, the draft, my competitors and even the track. We had a good car and we almost escaped the “big one” unharmed but to no avail. The Tony Marks Racing team has been thrashing hard on our superspeedway car since the race and we’re looking forward to turning some respectable times during the two-day test.”

Never having the opportunity to experience the enormous Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway Dufault enters Alabama optimistic while hoping to lean on some of her veteran competitors for some tips.

“Most of the tracks on the schedule are going to be green to me,” Dufault explained. “Thankfully, I have a great team behind me who are giving me fast race cars. I’m also reaching out to some of my competitors for advice. I’ve been very appreciative so far of their willingness to guide me and give some tips. Hopefully, Talladega will bring more of the same.”

The first full season of ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards competition for Tony Marks Racing (TMR) continues next Tuesday and Wednesday where the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will host an open-test at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in preparation for the ARCA Racing Series 250 on Friday, April 15.

For additional information on TMT, Inc. please visit; tmtcompanies.net.

For more on Maryeve Dufault, please log onto Maryeveracing.com

To learn more about Tony Marks Racing, please click over to Tmr-racing.com

About Tony Marks Racing (TMR):

Tony Marks Racing was founded in 2009 through the passion for racing of team owner and former driver Tony Marks. Marks is the successful owner of TMT, Inc., a logistics, warehousing and packaging company with over 400 employees whose customers are mainly comprised of Fortune 100 companies.

Marks began his racing career in 1985 getting behind the wheel of everything from drag racers, Dirt Late Models, SCCA Formula Fords, USAC F2000 Open Wheel and ARCA cars. Tony personally raced until 2005 amassing numerous wins, championships and track records along the way until he then changed his focus from driver to owner and began building racing programs for his children Jared (16 years old) and Rachel (13 years old). Under the auspices of TMR, Jared began his racing career in 2002 in quarter midgets and now competes in late model, CRA, ASA and ARCA Series events while Rachel continues her development program racing quarter midgets and Bandoleros.

TMR has been at the forefront of charitable giving through its’ “Driving Against Hunger” and “Million Meal Challenge” race programs which have raised over $200,000 for Forgotten Harvest in 2010 at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series events at Michigan International Speedway.

For the NASCAR events TMR along with TMT, Inc. partnered with Forgotten Harvest for the “Million Meal Challenge For Our Kids” which helps to bridge the hunger gap while schools are out of session and feeds 20,000 children per day in the Detroit metro area. Forgotten Harvest was significantly displayed on the entry of Chase Austin during both the Truck and Nationwide events at Michigan International Speedway along with logos of “Million Meal Challenge” sponsors Walgreen’s, United Race Group, Holyfield’s Choice Alka-Power Water and Vitamin Spice. Evander Holyfield was also instrumental in the challenge, acting as Grand Marshall for the August race and announcing his “Fight Against Hunger” on behalf of Forgotten Harvest.

As the first race team to “Drive Against Hunger” through their partnership with Forgotten Harvest, TMR plans to continue their alliance with Forgotten Harvest and once again “Drive Against Hunger” during the 2011 season.

MOORESVILLE, North Carolina (March 25, 2011) – – ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards contender Sean Corr will kick off what will be a busy week starting Saturday with an appearance at the Rockland Motorsports, Custom Cars and Bike show in Suffern, New York. From there it will be off to Mooresville, North Carolina to meet up with his Empire Racing team. Then, a trek to Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway for a two-day open test.

Corr, a native of Goshen, New York will sign autographs Saturday afternoon at the Rockland Community College Field House before mingling with the visitors and enjoying the show for himself.

Then, the avid dirt pro stock ace will have to shift his focus as his Empire Racing LLC. based team will participate in the second open-test session of the season at the 2.66-mile oval in preparation for round two of the season on April 15.

Empire Racing led by crew chief Richard Johns and team manager John Bellesfield of Excel Motorsports have been working hard with their crew at improving the team’s No. 82 Ford Fusion in preparation for this critical test. In the season-opener at Daytona, the team started 27th and finished 15th. However, the team was less than satisfied with their performance thus putting their operation into overdrive.

“The team has been working hard,” Corr explained. “We all know that our team is plenty capable of contending for a win in the ARCA Racing Series. We battled a lot at Daytona. We took the race in stride though. We survived and were able to walk away with a solid finish. Now, it’s time to focus on ‘Dega where the motors will roar and the action will be tense.”

Opting to participate in both days of the test next week (Tuesday and Wednesday), Corr and his posse will focus on balance, car control and stability.

“Talladega is one of those places where you want to run well because of the name and history that surrounds it,” sounded Corr. “Both superspeedway tracks are very similar down because of the recent re-pavement at Daytona, but Talladega offers that little extra room where it can make you either jump or make you say wow with a move.”

“Roush Yates has given the team superior support from our motor to parts and everything else in-between. This race is important in our bid towards the championship, so it’s just a humbling feeling to know that they are doing everything they can too.”

When asked what he has done with nearly his six week break from ARCA competition, Corr said, “I’ve been working a lot and spending a lot of time on the farm too. I’m ready to get away for a bit and climb back behind the wheel of the No. 82 Empire Racing Ford Fusion!”

The freshman full-time on the ARCA tour is expected to have some “booming” news regarding their young team before the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) returns in three weeks for the ARCA Racing Series 250.

For more on Sean Corr, Empire Racing and marketing partnership opportunities for the 2011 racing season, please visit empireracingllc.com http://www.empireracingllc.com/ .

For additional input on the Rockland Motorsports, Custom Cars and Bike show, please logon to motorsportsshow.com .

About Empire Racing:

Established in 2009, Empire Racing LLC. (empireracingllc.com http://www.empireracingllc.com/ ) is a two-tier professional Motorsports organization consisting of dirt and asphalt competition. Sean Corr, a 26-year old hailing from Goshen, New York pilots the team’s automobiles in the DIRTcar Series and Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). In 2011, the team will attempt to run for a championship in the ARCA Racing Series with aspirations of moving into the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The team is headquartered in Goshen, New York with an additional operation in Mooresville, North Carolina.

IZOD IndyCar Series Debuts this Weekend on Popular St. Petersburg Street Course  

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – (March 24, 2011) – National Guard Panther Racing and rookie driver JR Hildebrand will kick-off the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series season this weekend on the Streets of St. Petersburg for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The race will mark Hildebrand’s debut in the No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing entry after he was signed to a multi-year contract agreement to join the team in December. The IndyCar newcomer made just two previous starts in the series last season for Dreyer & Reinbold as a temporary replacement for then-injured Mike Conway.  

This will be Hildebrand’s first IndyCar Series start in St. Pete, although he earned his first career Firestone Indy Lights podium there in 2008 and the following year captured the pole position while driving for Andretti Autosport. Hildebrand led both the Lights races there in 2009, but was plagued by mechanical issues in each of the weekend’s two events. Both of his career IndyCar starts have been on permanent road courses (Mid-Ohio and Infineon) so this weekend will mark his first experience in an IndyCar machine on a temporary street circuit.  

Panther has been successful in St. Pete in its history and recorded a best startingposition of fifth with Tomas Enge in 2005 and a best finishing result of fifth with Vitor Meira in 2006. Dan Wheldon was running within the Top Ten competitors here last season before a suspension failure on the front straight ended the team’s day in the 20th position. Panther has led at St. Pete on two occasions; in 2005 with Enge and with Meira in 2008.  

The No. 4 National Guard car is returning this season to the popular ACU Camo, black and red livery that first debuted in last year’s Indianapolis 500. The paint scheme was featured in the 500 and two subsequent races in 2010 and due to popular demand will be run for the majority of the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series season.  

The core of Panther’s operation has remained intact during the offseason, with longtime chief engineer David Cripps and chief mechanic Dan Miller returning to lead the team’s on-track operation. Former Indianapolis 500 polesitter Pancho Carter returns to Panther this season as the team’s spotter and driver coach, after having worked with Sam Hornish Jr., Tomas Scheckter, Vitor Meira and Wheldon in previous tenures with the team.  

SGT Aaron Bass Named Panther’s “Hometown Hero” for St. Pete Weekend   ST. PETERSBURG, FL – National Guard Panther Racing has named SGT Aaron Bass its “Hometown Hero” for the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg weekend. SGT Bass has served in the Florida National Guard and is presently assigned to CO A, 2-124 Infantry as an 11B (Infantryman). He is a 2004 graduate of Baptist Church Academy in Lakeland. In 2005, he was mobilized for State Active Duty in South Florida to assist with Hurricane Wilma. SGT Bass has been deployed two times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His first deployment was in 2006-07 where he served as a .50Caliber Machine Gunner in the volatile region of Tal Afar Iraq. SGT Bass recently returned from Kuwait in December of 2010, serving in his second tour where he served as an Infantry team leader in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.  

SGT Bass has attended the Warrior Leader’s Course and the Combat Life Saver Course. He is currently enrolled as a full-time student at the University of South Florida working towards completing his bachelor’s in 2013 earning his degree in Business Management. He currently resides in Lakeland, Florida and works with his father at their family-owned business, Keith’s Nursery.  

He has earned the following military awards: two Army Achievement Medals; two ArmyCommendation Medals and the prestigious Combat Infantry Badge.   Panther Launches Redesigned PantherRacing.com Website  

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Panther Racing has re-launched its team website, www.pantherracing.com with longtime partner RACERSITES. The new website features complete integration of social media platforms Facebook and Twitter, allowing fans who mention Panther or driver JR Hildebrand to see their tweets shown live on the main page of the team’s website. The site also features playable video from the site’s homepage, updated desktop wallpapers and many other new features.  

The IZOD IndyCar Series season opener will be held Sunday, March 27 on the Streets of St. Petersburg, with live coverage provided by ABC starting at 12:30 p.m. (ET) and additional coverage provided by the IMS Radio Network, XM Channel 145 and Sirius Channel 121.  

JR Hildebrand, No. 4 National Guard Dallara Honda:  “I’ve always really enjoyed St. Pete and I got my first Firestone Indy Lights podium there the first weekend of the year in 2008 and it’s been a good track from the beginning. Since 2009 I felt like I’ve got some unfinished business there, when I led both races and had mechanical problems. I’m looking forward to getting back out to the racetrack, and St. Pete suits my style in a lot of ways, and a lot of the testing we’ve done this offseason has shown us the direction we want to go on the street courses. So a lot of our preseason preparation has lent itself to the National Guard car being good this weekend around St. Pete.”  

Pennzoil UltraTM Euro 5W-40 Approved for use in Honda Engines

Houston, Texas (March XX, 2011) – After a 20-year absence from IndyCar racing, Pennzoil is returning to the sport in a big way. In addition to being back on the track through the brand’s multi-year alliance with Penske Racing and Penske Corporation, the brand’s premium Pennzoil Ultra™ Euro 5W-40 motor oil has been approved for use in all Honda Indy V8 engines that will compete in the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series. And the Pennzoil Ultra Euro formulation that will be used by IndyCar’s top teams is the motor oil available to consumers today.

“Pennzoil is no stranger to Indy racing, so we are happy to add Pennzoil Ultra Euro 5W-40 to the short list of motor oils approved to keep our engines in pristine condition and working at optimum efficiency,” said Roger Griffiths, Technical Director of Honda Performance Development. “The engines we build are designed to deliver extremely high power outputs and reach very high engine speeds in each race, and our dyno testing has demonstrated that Pennzoil Ultra provides the top-tier lubrication performance that our engines require.”

In 2011, Pennzoil embarks on a multi-year alliance with Penske that expands Pennzoil’s motorsports presence to include the IZOD IndyCar Series. Pennzoil will be a primary sponsor of the No. 3 Shell V-Power-Pennzoil Ultra Dallara/Honda, driven by three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves. Pennzoil Ultra Euro 5W-40 will be running in not only Helio’s IndyCar, but the cars of each of his Penske Racing teammates, Ryan Briscoe and Will Power, as well.

Pennzoil has a long history of involvement in motorsports, beginning with Russ Snowberger in 1930. Pennzoil’s history in Indy car racing has been highlighted victories by esteemed drivers Johnny Rutherford (1980), Rick Mears (1984, 1988), Danny Sullivan (1985) and Al Unser (1987).

“The opportunity to be in the engines of some of the top teams in Indy racing provides us with an environment to test our lubricants in extreme conditions,” said Pennzoil Global Brand Manager Debbie Van Schalkwyk. “Pennzoil scientists gain insights from the track that can be translated directly into the formulation of our consumer motor oils.”

Pennzoil Ultra became a reality through the incredibly high standard set by the Pennzoil brand and delivered by Shell Lubricants technology teams around the world. Years of collaboration resulted in a Pennzoil Ultra formulation that helps to keep engines as close to factory clean as possible, and far exceeds the most stringent car manufacturer standards for cleanliness and protection[1] – going beyond just lubricating and protecting an engine.

The Hyper Cleansing TechnologyTM built into Pennzoil UltraTM plays a critical role in the engine. The oil lubricates moving engine parts to reduce friction and power loss, and helps keep the engine clean by seeking out and dissolving contaminants safely into the oil before they form deposits in the engine.

Pennzoil UltraTM is available in SAE 5W-20, 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30 and 10W-60 viscosities. Pennzoil UltraTM 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 viscosities can be found in major automotive retailers nationwide. Ordering information for Pennzoil UltraTM Euro 5W-40 and 10W-60 viscosities as well as additional information can be found at www.pennzoil.com .

About Pennzoil

Pennzoil® is the no. 1 selling motor oil and one of the most trusted brands in America. The Pennzoil line of quality products meets or exceeds industry specifications to offer exceptional engine cleansing and protection, and includes Pennzoil Ultra™ motor oil with Hyper Cleansing Technology™, Pennzoil Platinum® Full Synthetic motor oil, Pennzoil Gold™ motor oil, Pennzoil® High Mileage Vehicle® motor oil, Pennzoil® Advanced Protection motor oil, and Pennzoil Marine® engine oil. For more information about Pennzoil products, please visit www.pennzoil.com

Pennzoil is produced and marketed by Shell Lubricants. The term ‘Shell Lubricants’ collectively refers to the companies of Royal Dutch Shell plc that are engaged in the lubricants business. Shell Lubricants companies lead the lubricants industry, supplying 13.4% of global lubricants volume.[1] The companies manufacture and blend products for use in consumer, heavy industrial and commercial transport applications. The Shell Lubricants portfolio of top-quality brands includes Pennzoil®, Quaker State®, FormulaShell®, Shell TELLUS®, Shell RIMULA®, Shell ROTELLA® T, Shell SPIRAX® and Jiffy Lube® lubrication services.

Andretti Autosport’s Zach Veach Enters The Race Weekend Second In Series Points

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (Mar. 23, 2011) One year ago this weekend Zach Veach was announced as the newest driver for Andretti Autosport at a press conference alongside his idol, Michael Andretti. While Veach was announced as the team’s latest find in the pool of hundreds of thousands of aspiring racecar drivers across the globe, he would have to watch from the sidelines as his teammate, eventual USF2000 Points Champion, Sage Karam, took the green flag, as the team’s sole entry in the weekend’s USF2000 race event.

“In 2010, I was preparing to compete in the Atlantic Championship Series before it folded at the last minute,” said Veach, now teamed with Spencer Pigot in USF2000. “We then got together with Andretti Autosport and because the deal was done so late in the game, my car wasn’t ready to take the green flag for St. Pete that year.”

While sitting on the sidelines on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Veach missed out on two rounds of race points yet still managed to stay in the top-five in the driver championship point standings that year. He secured eight top-five finishes throughout the season, helping Andretti Autosport clinch the team championship title at season’s end.

Veach, who celebrated the release of his first book with an appearance on NBC’s The Today Show earlier this month, opened the 2011-year with the Cooper Tires USF2000 Winterfest Points Championship, secured from two race wins and three pole positions giving one of CNN’s “Intriguing People” his first career championship in the “Mazda Road to Indy” developmental ladder system.

The 16-year-old student turned athlete then opened the 2011 USF2000 National Championship season at Sebring International Raceway last week running flag-to-flag from the Pole Position to take the checkered flag in the Series’ first event of the season. In Race #2, Veach again started from the Pole Position but due to contact with another driver midway through the race, damaging his front wing, finished eighth.

The driver of the No. 7 Zakosi Data Backup Mazda will make his first start on the Streets of St. Petersburg as part of a full weekend of open-wheel racing, when the entire “Mazda Road to Indy” developmental ladder system will be in full effect in support of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg featuring the IZOD IndyCar Series drivers.

“After winning the first race of the 2011 season, I’m really looking forward to and working hard for St. Pete,” said Veach. “With it being my first street course race, it’s definitely going to be a learning experience but a lot of fun at the same time!”

Veach sits in a three-way tie for second place in Series’ points (three points out of first) heading into the third and fourth rounds of the USF2000 National Championship season.

“Being in a three-way tie for second in the championship and only three points away from first, St. Pete is going to be really important for us,” continued Veach. “The team was really quick their last year, so I’m excited to see what happens.”

To follow Veach’s progress on the 1.8-mile street course in St. Petersburg, live timing and scoring is available on www.usf2000.com.

Sanctioned by INDYCAR, the USF2000 National Championship, presented by Cooper Racing Tires and powered by Mazda, is one of three series part of both INDYCAR’s “Mazda Road to Indy” ladder system and the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development driver program.

Follow along in Veach’s journey as he documents his 2011 season for RACER Magazine at www.racer.com. For more information, please visit www.zachveach.com, www.AndrettiAutosport.com or www.USF2000.com.

About Zach Veach

Zach “Ziggy” Veach is a 16-year-old autoracing driver who competes in INDYCAR’s ‘Mazda Road to Indy’ USF2000 National Championship Series, an important open-wheel stepping-stone to a career in the IZOD IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500. In 2011, Veach captured the USF2000 Cooper Tires Winterfest Championship, on the heels of placing fifth in the 2010 season, despite missing two race events. In 2010, Michael Andretti signed Veach to his team, Andretti Autosport, while also being named one of CNN’s “Intriguing People” and was also nominated for Sports Illustrated “Sports Kid of the Year” award. In addition to his racing, Veach is an advocate for safer driving in conjunction with Oprah Winfrey’s “No Phone Zone,” and is the national spokesperson for FocusDriven, an advocacy group for victims of motor vehicle crashes involving drivers using their cell phones, and the group endorsed by Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and the DOT. In 2010, Veach released his first published Android application through his phone-app building company, ZaAPP, releasing urTXT, in the Marketplace for Android to help consumers avoid dangerous text messaging while driving and helms his own safe driving program, Ziggy’s Safe Driving, which hits 25 markets across the country each year. Veach has been a guest or profiled on a variety of national platforms including NBC’s The Today Show, CNN’s Headline News, ABCNews.com, Oprah Radio’s The Gayle King Show, The Los Angeles Times, AOL.com and is a blogger for RACER magazine. The son of a national truck and tractor-pulling champion, Veach entered his sophomore year of high school this past fall and released his first book, 99 THINGS TEENS WISH THEY KNEW BEFORE TURNING 16, on March 2, 2011. For more information, please visit www.zachveach.com.