TRG heads to Road America with Oh So Close memory from 2011

Petaluma, CA (June 20, 2012) - Oh so close. That was what the entire TRG camp was thinking last year after its Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car led heading into the final turn at Road America. A small bobble, and then a sputter as the fuel took its last gasp from the fuel cell, thwarting a spectacular run and resulting in a third place finish instead of triumph.

#67 TRG Porsche GT3 Cup: Steven Bertheau, Spencer Pumpelly

Photo by: Kenneth May

This year, at the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series 250 Driven by visitflorida.com, drivers Steve Bertheau and Spencer Pumpelly are hoping for a different outcome.

"Yeah, that was a real bummer," admitted Bertheau who had won his first Grand-Am Rolex race earlier that year with Pumpelly at the 24 Hours of Daytona. "I thought we were going to get another one. Spence had done a great job putting us in position to win and then the fuel thing."

"Yup, we knew we were going to be close on fuel," recalls Pumpelly, "sometimes it works out... sometimes it doesn't. We still earned a podium, but to be that close and not come away with the win was tough."

This week at Road America, the TRG duo is hoping for a breakthrough. There have been a couple of strong finishes this season, including second place at the Daytona 24 by a mere nine seconds. Now the team is ready to stand atop the podium rather than just be on it.

"The guys have worked very hard this year and we have had some great runs," said team owner Kevin Buckler. "Road America has always been a good track for us and a good track for Steve and Spencer. We have some real history here. We all feel really good going into this weekend's event and are looking for a win. We were soooo close last year."

"This is like a home game for Steve," continued Buckler. "He not only has family in the area but a lot of clients and guests from his Chicago-based Sargent & Lundy firm look forward to this race as well. I know he'd like to nail one for them at his home track and so would we."