After a disappointing qualifying session that saw a lap good for P7 on the grid get tossed out because of a red flag and then mechanical issues that prevented another attempt, car #12 driver Justin Hall rose to the challenge by gaining 17 spots to finish 17th after starting in P34 in the third round of the SPEED World Challenge Touring Car championship at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Hall's impressive drive resulted in his being awarded both the Sunoco Hard Charger Award for most positions gained during the race as well as DIG Motorsports' second B&M Shifters Holeshot Award of the season for most places gained during the race's opening lap.
"After starting much farther back on the grid than I'd planned, it was quite a battle to finish 17th," Hall said. "I was running as high as 12th place, but at one point another driver drove off at Turn 7 and was re-entering before 8. He had one wheel on the track and three in the grass when I passed and they awarded me a stop-and-go penalty for passing under yellow anyway. After that, bringing home these two prestigious awards means a lot to me."
Team owner Jon Prall had a competitive race in the #11 car as well, running a scant half-second behind Hall's pace during much of the race in spite of bring forced into a gravel trap at one point and then subsequently retiring with a mechanical problem
"We demonstrated convincingly that DIG Motorsports/JustRacing.com has the speed this weekend," team owner and #11 driver Jon Prall said. "We were running very strong, about a half second apart in lap times, when I suffered a disappointing mechanical failure near the end of the race. It just goes to show, though, that we will be very competitive at Infineon in June."
"Justin's Holeshot Award for passing 10 cars on the first lap adds to the one I brought home from the season opener as Sebring and his Hard Charger Award is just icing on the cake," Prall continued. "Today's race was a great performance by the entire team."
The Mid-Ohio round of the SPEED World Challenge Touring Car series will be broadcast on SPEED Channel on Saturday, May 27 at 8pm Eastern Time.
About DIG Motorsports:
Established in 2006, DIG Motorsports campaigns two BMW 325Cis in the SPEED World Challenge Touring Car race series. In addition to being a veteran World Challenge racer, DIG Motorsports principle Jon Prall is an experienced computer industry professional, including executive-level positions at companies such as Excite.com, Postini, and Macrovision. Equipped with the operational skills to build and manage a race team that is successful not only on the track but also off of it, DIG Motorsports leadership brings exposure and valuable business opportunities to sponsors and partners throughout the motorsports industry.
About JustRacing.com:
JustRacing Inc. is dedicated to serving the needs of the racing and auto enthusiast community with novel and comprehensive features not found on other web sites. Founded by racers and featuring a National Events Calendar with almost 700 entries, a full set of racing forums, rich classifieds, and the unique JustRacing Seminar Series, JustRacing.com truly is your Motorsports Home On The Web.
For more DIG Motorsports info, please visit:
http://www.digmotorsports.com
http://www.justracing.com
Or contact:
Mark Dadgar
(408) 399-3400
http://www.JustRacing.com
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