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Hats off to the two rookie drivers in the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup. Jake Thompson put in an outstanding drive especially when you have Mark Pombo putting some pressure on ya. Unfortunately, for pole sitter, Timmy Megenbier had to retire with mechanical issues.

Heading into the 2009 SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup season, eight drivers had previous experience in the series. However, for the second time this weekend, a series rookie took the checkered flag with Vancouver, Canada’s Jake Thompson coming out on top today in the #19 ViON car at VIRginia International Raceway.

Thompson, the 2004 Canadian National Karting Champion, took the lead on lap three from pole sitter Timmy Megenbier who retired on the last lap with mechanical issues. For the last half of the race, Thompson battled bumper to bumper with Mark Pombo, but never relinquished the lead. Pombo placed second and Taylor Broekemeier finished third. For Thompson, the win was redemption for Saturday’s race, which he led at one point.

‘Yesterday, when I found myself in the lead, I was nervous and made a mistake, so that experience definitely helped me learn to handle myself a little better under pressure. Pombo was all over me for the last half of the race, but I was able to keep my composure and hold him off,’ said Thompson. ‘I’ve competed in karting for many years, but this is my first experience in cars, so to get a win in only my second race of the season is fantastic. I’m really glad that I landed in the Jetta TDI Cup because the emphasis that the series puts on driver development will hopefully help me to continue to grow in my racing career.’

Guest drivers, journalist, Dan Carney and Halifax, Virginia’s Jeb Burton finished 21st and 23rd respectively. Burton was involved in an on-track incident with the #22 car, which sent him off-course and to the rear of the field. Despite being frustrated with his result, Burton was positive about his experience.

‘Being able to participate in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series this weekend was a lot of fun for me. I’ve not done a lot of road-course racing in the past, so it was great to be able to get a little bit of experience,’ Burton said. ‘Obviously, I’m frustrated, but I think that with a little more seat time in these cars and on road courses, I could be competitive. Hopefully, I’ll be able to give it another shot down the road.’

After two rounds of the Jetta TDI Cup, the championship standings have the winner of yesterday’s race at VIR, Joey Atterbury and Jake Thompson tied for the lead with 43 points. AJ Nealey (41), Pombo (40) and Taylor Broekemeier (37) round out the top five.

‘The inaugural race weekend of the Jetta TDI Cup absolutely proved our concept that Volkswagen clean diesel technology, young drivers and a top-level crew produces some of the best racing available anywhere in North America,’ said Clark Campbell, motorsport manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc. ‘If the talent level displayed this weekend at VIR is any indication as to how the rest of the season is going to go, it’s going to be a very exciting sophomore season.’

The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series returns to action May 15-17 at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah.

Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup – Round 2
VIRginia International Raceway – April 26, 2009
Fin. Position – St. Position – Car Number – Driver – Hometown – Sponsor

1 – 2 – 19 – Jake Thompson(R) – Vancouver – BC – CN – VION
2 – 4 – 20 – Mark Pombo – Duluth – GA – VW Parts & Accessories
3 – 3 – 3 – Taylor Broekemeier – Fort Collins – CO – Pirelli
4 – 5 – 2 – AJ Nealey(R) – Pasadena – MD – Oakley
5 – 9 – 8 – Derek Jones – Philadelphia – PA – Aggreko
6 – 6 – 27 – Andy Lee – Maricopa – AZ – Castrol
7 – 8 – 29 – Devin Cates(R) – Broad Run – VA – HYPERFUELS
8 – 7 – 14 – Joey Atterbury(R) – Renton – WA – Red Bull
9 – 13 – 26 – Andrew Cordeiro – Woodbridge – Ont – CN – Lamin-X
10 – 10 – 5 – Ryan Ellis(R) – Ashburn – VA – VION
11 – 11 – 4 – Nicky Boulle(R) – Dallas – TX – Pirelli
12 – 19 – 7 – JD Mobley(R) – Castle Rock – CO – Bosch
13 – 18 – 28 – Rhett Tucker(R) – Cumming – GA – DC United
14 – 16 – 11 – Kyle Wharff(R) – Miramar – FL – VW Parts & Accessories
15 – 14 – 6 – David Richert – Niverville MB – CN – Bosch
16 – 17 – 30 – Perry Richardson(R) – Los Gatos – CA – DefNder
17 – 25 – 34 – Juan Pablo Delgado(R) – Orizaba VZ – VC – SCCA
18 – 15 – 16 – Eric Morse(R) – Pittsburgh – PA VW Preloved
19 – 21 – 24 – Donny Warren(R) – Winchester – VA – Aggreko
20 – 23 – 15 – Theresa Condict(R) – Lexington – MA – HYPERFUELS
24 – 31 – Dan Carney(G) – Herndon – VA – Virginia Tech
21 – 20 – 18 – Kerstin Smutny(R) – Bothell – WA – iRacing.com –
22 – 27 – 32 – Andrew Gun Tucker(R) – McDonough – GA – Oakley
22 – 9 – Jeb Burton(G) – Halifax – VA – St. Water Heater – WBurton Wildlife Fndn.
23 – 1 – 17 – Timmy Megenbier – Melrose Park – IL – ChicagolandVW.com
24 – 12 – 23 – Juan Pablo SierraLendle – Puebla – MX – Castrol
25 – 26 – 22 – Andrew Novich(R) – Novato – CA – Meguiars

(G) Guest driver – not eligible for points
(R) Jetta TDI Cup Rookie Driver< - small>

Related posts:

1. Jetta TDI Cup: Jake Thompson scores second win of the year at New Jersey Motorsports Park
2. Jetta TDI Cup: Timmy Megenbier and Jake Thompson each claim pole in Round 3 at Miller Motorsports Park
3. Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup takes to VIRginia International Raceway
4. Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup: Joey Atterbury takes the win in the first race of the season at VIRginia International Raceway
5. Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Returns to VIRginia International Raceway