Daytona Test: AASCO Motorsports day one notes

AASCO Porsche Fastest In Class of Day One Rolex 24 Testing

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., January 3, 2003 - Dennis Aase's AASCO Motorsports assaulted Daytona International Speedway (DIS) with a three-car attack in the first day of testing for the 42nd Annual Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. The No. 16 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup SGS class entry of Craig Stanton, of Long Beach, Calif., and David Murry, of Cumming, Ga., set the fastest time in two of the three practice sessions around the 3.56 mile road course with the quickest time (one minute, 57.217 seconds) set in the first session of the day. Stanton and Murry backed that with a 1:57.750 in the final session. Gary Becker, in his first visit to the historic road course, Derek Clark, making his second 24 Hour start, and Porsche Club standouts Pat Flanagan, Joe Kunz and Mark Webber cycled through the Nos. 17 and 96 during the three sessions of the day keeping the cars regularly in the class top-ten. AASCO Motorsports will return tomorrow for the second day of the three-day test session in preparation for the January 31st race.

Dennis Aase, team owner/team manager: I am very proud of this [the success of the cars]. We were the first out of tech and the first in today's testing. That almost makes us look like we know what we're doing. We have assembled people from all over the Untied States to put together the best group we could. We have wonderful drivers who are very quick and the results showed today. We still have work to do, but I am very pleased."

Craig Stanton, No. 16: "I'm excited about this whole deal! I, personally, have never been this far along in the first day of testing with a new team ever in my career. My optimism is really high. When you get really special people together special things happen. I want to thank Dennis Aase and Mark Webber for having the vision to put this all together."

David Murry, No. 16: Obviously, I am really thrilled to be a part of this. The guys did their homework before we ever got here. Craig and I just worked to fine tune it. When something goes this well I'm worried about what must be wrong but this team is just this good. They are just this prepared. I'm happy to be quick for the day but both Craig and I are more interested in the long haul than in quick lap times. We are setting this car up to be good across a complete run not just in qualifying. The car is really, really good. Porsche builds 'em, we just drive 'em."

Gary Becker, No. 17: "I think we're a major presence here. It's pretty awesome to be with a team of people like this. This is a superior level team and I think it shows. This was my first time here at Daytona and I tell you, this track is a nut-hugger."

Derek Clark, No. 17: "I can recognize the passion and commitment in this team. I am very, very fortunate to be a part of this. They have delivered an unbelievable package."

For more on AASCO Motorsports and Craig Stanton, please visit www.CraigStanton.com. For more on David Murry, please visit www.DavidMurry.com .

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