SBRS: Brett Smrz Millville event news 2009-06-11

SMRZ PERFORMING SKIP BARBER NATIONAL AND MAZDA MX-5 CUP DOUBLE DUTY IN NEW JERSEY
American will race four times during the Formula X event at New Jersey Motorsports Park

MILLVILLE, N.J. (June 11, 2009) -- Brett Smrz is set for a busy few days of racing, as the rising American talent takes part in both Rounds Five and Six of the BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National and Rounds Three and Four of Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup this weekend (June 13-14) at New Jersey Motorsports Park. A title contender in both series, Smrz has already visited victory lane in Skip Barber competition and cracked the top-five twice in MX-5 Cup action this season.

While Smrz is used to doing double duty, running both the Skip Barber National series and Mazda MX-5 Cup full-time in 2009, the upcoming event at New Jersey Motorsports Park will be a true test of stamina and skill. Not only will the Idaho native be running both cars at the same event, but be on-track four times each day, taking part in multiple practice and qualifying sessions prior to two races in both series.

Behind the wheel of his Wagner Racing Products/In Touch Physical Therapy backed Skip Barber car, Smrz enters the third event of the season as one of the main drivers to beat. The left leg amputee, the result of a freak trampoline accident in 2007, has steadily gotten quicker at each event, advancing all the way to victory lane in Round Three at Virginia International Raceway. When combined with a fourth place finish in Round Four, Smrz currently lies third in the championship fight.

The talented 18 year-old has been just as successful in the sports car ranks thus far in 2009. Piloting the Atlanta Motorsports Group prepared No. 6 SurroundSounds.com Mazda MX-5 car, Smrz has been among the leaders in virtually every session. While he has yet to score that elusive victory, a pair of top-five finishes in the opening two rounds at Road Atlanta and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has propelled the up-and-coming race pilot to third in title chase.

"I am excited for this weekend," said Smrz. "This will be a true test as a driver for me, because I will be in both a sports car, and an open-wheel car in the same day. I am mentally prepared for this weekend, and ready for anything to be thrown at me. As I was born in New Jersey, I will have a bunch of local family and friends out here this weekend, which gives me even more motivation to do well!"

Official on-track action for Smrz commences on Friday (June 12), with two practice sessions in both the Skip Barber National and MX-5 Cup cars. One day later, the morning will feature qualifying for race one of the doubleheader for both series, followed by Round Three of the Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup at 1:05 p.m. local time and Round Five of the BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National at 4:15 p.m. Sunday (June 14) will again witness Smrz qualifying in the morning, before the second MX-5 Cup race at 1:05 p.m. and race two of the Skip Barber doubleheader at 4:15 p.m.

As part of newly a announced television package, both Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup races from New Jersey Motorsports Park will be broadcast live HDNet, featuring veteran motorsports commentator Rick Benjamin and legendary race driver Elliott Forbes-Robinson. Additionally, fans can watch live timing of the Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup from Laguna Seca via the series website at www.mx-5cup.com

-credit: www.brettsmrz.com