RACE: National Runoffs: Mueller Motorsports event summary

Mueller Motorsports claims silver medal at SCCA Runoffs

ELKHART LAKE, WI (September 24, 2010) - Mueller Motorsports claimed the silver medal in Formula 500 after an epic race during the SCCA National Championship Runoffs® Presented by Subway at Road America this past weekend.

Following three days of qualifying, driver Michael Mueller started his HRP powered Red Devil from third position, directly behind pole sitter and two- time defending National Champion Jason Knuteson. The early Friday morning race would start under threatening skies with mist and heavy wind gusts affecting track conditions from the drop of the green flag. Knuteson led from the start with Mike Brent moving into second ahead of Mueller into turn one. Mueller would quickly move back into second with an outside pass under braking for turn five. Coming out of the Carousel corner Mueller and Knuteson were locked nose to tail and remained so for the next half lap.

As the leaders approached the Moraine Sweep a light mist began falling. Mueller moved out of Knuteson's draft on approach for turn five and completed the pass for the lead under braking for the corner. As Mueller exited turn five Knuteson spun and handed second place over to Patrick Gallagher. Gallagher would quickly close the gap to Mueller and take the lead at the end of the lap, thus beginning a race long battle for the lead.

The two drivers would go on to exchange the lead, often multiple times per lap, for the remainder of the race while steadily pulling away from the rest of the 26 car field. On the second last lap of the race Mueller made the pass for the lead into Canada Corner. Gallagher tried to take the spot back as the two went side by side into the following corner with Mueller maintaining the lead. As the final lap began the two drivers were in a virtual dead heat at the line. Gallagher would assume the lead into turn one and hold it for most of the lap. Mueller once again made a pass into Canada Corner, however the lead was short lived as Gallagher completed an outside pass in the Billy Mitchell Bend leading into the final corner. Mueller closed the gap up the final straight yet it wasn't enough as Gallagher was first to the stripe by 0.164 seconds to take the victory.

The second place finish was the first Runoffs podium for Mueller Motorsports in the teams second attempt at the event. A silver medal Runoffs performance was a strong ending to a successful season, which saw the team win the Formula 500 Constructor's Championship on the strength of two SCCA National race wins, a new track record at Blackhawk Farms Raceway and the teams first June Sprints podium.

With SCCA competition now complete for 2010, Mueller Motorsports will trade in the racing shoes for running shoes and participate in several charity events this fall. First up is the Briggs & Al's Run/Walk for Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in downtown Milwaukee on October 9th. A donation page has been setup to help raise money that will go directly to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. To make a donation please go to http://www.firstgiving.com/shawnmueller

Next up is the SCCA Milwaukee Region's annual PDX at Road America to benefit the March of Dimes on October 15th. Along with fellow Milwaukee Region racers, Michael Mueller will be joining professional road racer Boris Said as a driving instructor for the event. The final charity event of the fall is once again back at Road America on October 30th for the 32nd Annual Road America Walk/Run for the American Cancer Society. To find out more about these events or how to donate please contact us.

Mueller Motorsports is a family team, racing together in various forms of motorsport since 1997. The 2010 season marks the team's third year racing Formula 500 in SCCA events. Special thanks to our team sponsors: MJ Manufacturing, Fibeco and msquared design as well as the technical support of Brad Hulings of HRP Motorsports Inc.

-source: mueller-motorsports.com