Pirelli Girls and on the podium… where are the smiles!!!
Rookie pole sitter claims his first series win at VIR Alton, VA (April 25, 2009) – Another picture-perfect day greeted the SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup at VIRginia International Raceway today for Round 1 of the 2009 season. While series veterans put on a strong showing, it was rookie Joey Atterbury who took the checkered flag in the #14 Red Bull car.
The Renton, Wash. native battled another rookie driver, AJ Nealey, for much of the race with the pair swapping the lead four times during the race. Series veteran Timmy Megenbier rounded out the podium with his third-place finish.
‘Today was such a great race, but it was also very challenging because of the heat that we encountered. Despite this, the Pirelli tires held up really well, and gave us some excellent grip,’ said Atterbury. ‘AJ, myself and Jake Thompson had some great battles for the lead. I think that we all raced each other very cleanly, and I have to thank them for that. This was a great way to start the season, but I know that we have another round tomorrow, so I need to keep my concentration for the next race.’
Red Bull athlete and freestyle skier, Simon Dumont improved six positions during the race to finish in 19th place. Dumont, thoroughly enjoyed his experience in the series and hinted about a possible return in the future.
‘The entire experience was way more than I ever imagined that it would be. The first time for me to get in a professional-level racecar was yesterday, and I’m definitely hooked,’ said Dumont. ‘My goal heading into this was to try to be competitive and not finish last, and I accomplished both goals. I’m going to do some work with my personal sponsors when I get home to see if I might be able to give the series a try full time next year.’
Dumont’s feelings regarding the day’s action were also shared by Volkswagen of America, Inc. motorsport manager, Clark Campbell.
‘Heading into our second season, we had great expectations for this year’s edition of the series.’ said Campbell. ‘All of the drivers did an excellent job on the track today, and we had very few incidents, which is a little surprising given that it was our first race. What I saw out on the track today far exceeded my expectations, and I’m looking forward to our drivers putting on another great show tomorrow.’
The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series returns to action tomorrow for Round 2 at VIR. The race is scheduled to begin Sunday at 2 pm. Live timing and scoring is available at http://www.livetiming.net/SCCA/VW/livetiming.asp.
Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup – Round 1
VIRginia International Raceway – April 25, 2009
Fin. Position – St. Position – Car Number – Driver – Hometown – Sponsor
- 1 – 1 – 14 – Joey Atterbury(R) – Renton – WA – Red Bull
2 – 2 – 2 – AJ Nealey(R) – Pasadena – MD – Oakley
3 – 5 – 17 – Timmy Megenbier – Melrose Park – IL – Chicagoland VW
4 – 4 – 3 – Taylor Broekemeier – Fort Collins – CO – Pirelli
5 – 9 – 20 – Mark Pombo – Duluth – GA – VW Parts & Accessories
6 – 8 – 27 – Andy Lee – Maricopa – AZ – Castrol
7 – 11 – 29 – Devin Cates(R) – Broad Run – VA – HYPERFUELS
8 – 3 – 19 – Jake Thompson(R) – Vancouver – BC – CN – VION
9 – 10 – 4 – Nicky Boulle(R) – Dallas – TX – Pirelli
10 – 21 22 Andrew Novich(R) – Novato – CA – Meguiars
11 – 19 – 23 – Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle – Puebla – MX – Castrol
12 – 16 – 24 – Donny Warren(R) – Winchester – VA – Aggreko
13 – 15 – 30 – Perry Richardson(R) – Los Gatos – CA – Defender
14 – 12 – 6 – David Richert – Niverville MB – CN – Bosch
15 – 18 – 16 – Eric Morse(R) – Pittsburgh – PA – VW Preloved
16 – 24 – 18 – Kerstin Smutny(R) – Bothell – WA – iRacing.com
17 – 23 – 11 – Kyle Wharff(R) – Miramar – FL – VW Parts & Accessories
18 – 20 – 15 – Theresa Condict(R) – Lexington – MA – HYPERFUELS
10 – Simon Dumont(G) – Bethel – ME – Red Bull
19 – 26 – 32 – Andrew Gun Tucker(R) – McDonough – GA – Oakley
20 – 14 – 7 – JD Mobley(R) – Castle Rock – CO – Bosch
21 – 6 – 5 – Ryan Ellis(R) – Ashburn – VA – VION
22 – 7 – 8 – Derek Jones – Philadelphia – PA – Aggreko
23 – 17 – 34 – Juan Pablo Delgado(R) – Orizaba VZ – VC – SCCA
24 – 13 – 26 – Andrew Cordeiro – Woodbridge Ont – CN – Lamin-X
25 – 22 – 28 – Rhett Tucker(R) – Cumming – GA – DC United
Looking for more? Have a look below.
- Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup takes to VIRginia International Raceway
- Three guest drivers for the Jetta TDI Cup season opener
- Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Returns to VIRginia International Raceway
- Jetta TDI Cup: Josh Hurley wins at Portland International Raceway
- Jetta TDI Cup: Mark Pombo secures Pole Position at Portland International Raceway
