VW Jetta: AJNR/Brimtek Mid-Ohio event summary

AJNR/Brimtek - P13 in Qualifying, P9 in Round 5 of the VW Jetta TDI Cup from Mid-Ohio

Hello Friends,

I deeply apologize for the long delay on this recent race report. After the drive back from Ohio Sunday night and work during the day on Monday, I'm now able to report back to you all on how Sunday went for me at Round 5 of the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup from Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course while I'm on my lunch break.

The weather was just absolutely gorgeous for the day with nothing but plenty of sunshine and heat. After a quick debrief with our technicians and driving instructors, we suited up for our early 8 AM qualifying session. I made the best choice I could with the Pirelli tires that I had at my disposal. We took to the circuit and I was able to get plenty of open track to click off some consistent quick laps which placed me in P1 for the first half of the qualifying session. I kept at it while everyone else in the session was getting quicker. Before I knew it I was P13. I was able to click off my quickest time in the last lap of qualifying with a 1:39.9. Only 7 tenths of a second separated P1-P13. Some of the closest competition I've seen! A huge congrats goes out to rookie, Arie Ouimet on clinching the pole position for the race.

After the session, we had a quick debrief with our techs and instructors. We then had some time to go over some data and relax before our race later that morning. Staff Sargent Justin Belt and his girlfriend, Lindsey, made their way back to the track today to watch the action. Justin had a camouflage tote bag full of goodies for me including shirts, water bottles, and even custom made dog tags with my name on them! Really cool stuff and very thoughtful of him. Also, our play by play announcer on the race weekends, Tom Hnatiw, introduced himself to Justin and Lindsey in the hospitality tent and invited them up to the timing tower for the race. During the race, Tom talked them up during the pre-race ceremony! It really made their weekend even more special.

Before we knew it, it was time to strap back down in our cars for Round 5 of the VW Jetta TDI Cup. I was a bit bummed about starting mid-pack, but knew if I could keep my nose clean, anything could happen. We lined up for our standing start on the front straight, starting lights came on, revved our clean diesel engines, lights went out, and we launched off! With cold tires, things can always be quite dicey in the middle of the pack, but for the most part, it was pretty clean. I was able to move up a couple spots on the opening lap before settling into 9th with Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle right on my back bumper. We battled extremely hard for the rest of the entire race without making any contact, but unfortunately, we were slowing each other down and the lead pack of eight was able to take off ahead of us. Juan Pablo and I continued battling hard with him attempting to make passes into the "keyhole" at T2 and going into the brake zone before T5 at the end of the back straight. In the end, I was able to hold him off to clinch the 9th finishing position and gain some valuable points. A big congrats goes out to Wyatt Gooden on his first victory and doing it in his home state!

9th was not the result I was looking for coming out of this race weekend at a track I know and love. But I gave it my all and did the best job I possibly could. Can't beat myself down for the effort I put into it. All I can do is keep my head up high and look forward to Round 6 at Autobahn Country Club outside of Chicago in 5 weeks time.

It was a great weekend overall and, again, can't thank everyone enough for their support!

Until next time, take care,
    AJ Nealey

-source: www.ajnealeyracing.com