Toronto: Rocketsports Racing race notes

GENTILOZZI BREAKS DONOHUES RECORD AS DRISSI FINISHES THIRD IN TORONTO

TORONTO (July 9, 2005) Four-time Trans-Am series champion, Paul Gentilozzi, survived the heat of the Toronto afternoon to win his 30th career race and break the record for most career wins. Gentilozzi and the late Mark Donohue shared the all-time Trans Am Series record with 29 wins after taking the victory at Denver in 2004.

Gentilozzi's Rocketsports Racing teammates, Tomy Drissi, drove the No. 5 Supercross the Movie Jaguar XKR to a third place podium finish, while series rookie, Klaus Graf, in the No. 7 Jaguar R Performance XKR was sidelined with a mechanical issue and finished 12th.

Taking the green flag from the front row, Gentilozzi pulled Drissi and Graf through turn one to lead a Rocketsports train down the backstretch. The series veteran led 27 laps en route to his history making win. "The car was perfect today," said the all-time wins leader. "We knew Klaus was going to be strong, so it was not a big surprise when he over took me on the fifth lap. Unfortunately, a flat tire caused him to pit giving the lead back to us. Having the solid racecar we had today allowed us to maintain the lead to the checkered flag. The win is another great accomplishment for the Rocketsports team."

The always exciting, Drissi, drove a perfect race as he maintained third for the majority of the laps to finish on the podium for the first time this year, closing the gap within five points for third place standings in the championship. "I think I pulled it all together," said the Rockin' Moroccan. "I kept my composure and the team did a great job this weekend. I have to say congratulations to Paul for his accomplishment."

Experiencing another difficult weekend, the German native, Graf, led 28 laps before being snake bitten with a flat tire and then having a mechanical failure. "The race started off very good for us," stated the series rookie. Then there was a slow puncture happening in one of my tires. I had to come in and change tires, loosing the lead and going a lap down. It is a shame; the Rocketsports team did such a great job this weekend. We had a great race car and it showed, so a bit of a disappointment but we will try again in Edmonton."

Tune in to SPEED TV to watch the history making moment of four-time champion Paul Gentilozzi break the record for Most Career Wins on Sunday July 17th at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time.

-rsr-