SCC: Daytona: GM Racing race notes

Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged Teams Make Strong Showing At Daytona
Team Cobalt California and Georgian Bay Motorsports Finish in Top Ten

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Jan. 26, 2007 - Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series teams made a strong showing in the first round run at Daytona International Speedway today.

Team Cobalt California with drivers Thomas Lepper and Bo Roach had the top finish for the Chevrolet contenders today. The pair managed to bring their No. 48 Chevrolet Cobalt SS from their 16th place qualifying effort home to finish the three-hour race in ninth place.

"We ran a really clean race," Roach commented about the three-hour race. "We had the strategy to go out and stay out of trouble and that is exactly what we did. The cars were so good under braking, that helped to us to make up a little ground. I really had to work the draft on the high bank to try and keep up. Our pit stop went well and we ran as high as fourth place."

Last year's top Cobalt SS team, Georgian Bay Motorsports, were headed for a stout top finish when a tire issue thwarted their charge. Jamie Holtam and Eric Curran ran toward the top in the ST class most of the race and ended up 10th.

"We had a shot at a top five or better," relayed Holtom. "I was going into the Horseshoe turn and had a lot of understeer, which I did not before and I knew there was a problem. I had to pit as the left rear tire had gone down. It is too bad, we had a great driving car and we were well positioned for the finish."

Enrique Gelpi, Chris Wehrheim and Victor Gonzalez came across the finish in 11th place. The Team Cobalt California trio had a rough start, but ended the day on a high-note.

"This was my first time racing in the states and on this track," Gelpi said. "Our goal was to finish in the top 10, we were close coming in 11th. In a 46-car field, we are satisfied with that performance. The car ran strong and the team and everyone at GM really did a great job all weekend."

Teammates Steve Kent, Gunter Schmidt and Andrew Danyliw drove their GS Motorsport Cobalt SS to a 17th place finish.

"I have never driven here before and it is also my first Grand-Am race," Kent explained. "It was a great experience, I was used to driving V-8 Camaros and the adjustment to the front driver Cobalt SS was easy. The car handled real well and with 100+ competitors around you that made our day easy. I am satisfied with the effort."

The final Cobalt SS running at the checkered flag was the No. 53 Predator Auto Sport driven by Tyler Givogue and Robert Boyer. The duo completed the 200 mile race in 22nd.

"I started the car and it was really good," said Givogue. "At the driver change we were in the top 15 and we did not get all of the fuel in the car. We had to stop again for a splash of gas and that put us out of a potential top 10 finish."

The No. 84 Team Cobalt California entry of Brian Flint, Robert Dennard and Sean Hayes did not finish the race due to transmission issues.

-credit: gm racing