SCC: Team Cobalt California files 2006 entry

Benicia-based Team Cobalt California to open 2006 racing season at Daytona International Speedway

BENICIA, Calif. - Team Cobalt California is proud to announce the commencement of its 2006 Rolex Grand-American Cup series with its entry into the season opener at world-famous Daytona International Speedway on Jan. 27.

Team Cobalt California has chosen the new Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged to lead the team to the Grand-Am Cup ST class championship.

"It's a great little race car," said Thomas Lepper, team owner and driver. "I'm looking forward to racing an American-made car so we can compete against the barrage of foreign competition."

The 2006 Grand-Am season will bring Lepper, his seasoned crew, and three Chevrolet Cobalts to race tracks across the United States and Canada in addition to being televised on SPEED Channel and ESPN International.

Lepper, a 20 year racing veteran, is coming off a very successful 2005 race season where he competed in the Grand-Am series and several local California-based series. During the Grand-Am series, Lepper and teammate James "Bo" Roach took second place at Watkins Glen Raceway in New York and third place at Phoenix International Raceway.

In California, Lepper, as part of team PDQ Racing, took first place in the E2 Class at the National Auto Sports Association's (N.A.S.A.) sanctioned grueling 25 hour endurance race at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows. Lepper also finished first in the inaugural season of the Sports Car Club of America's (SCCA) sanctioned Honda Cup series that was raced at Northern and Southern California racetracks.

The Daytona race will feature two Team Cobalt California cars, the No. 48 and No. 98. The No. 48 will be run by Lepper and Roach, while the No. 98 car will be run by Lepper's son, Jacob "Jeff" Lepper of Martinez, Calif. and VJ Mirzayan of Fresno, Calif.. The team's third car, the No. 78, is scheduled to make its season debut in May.

-www.teamcobaltcalifornia.com