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by Kyle Chura
Jan 31, 2007
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged Grand-Am KONI
Challenge Series teams made a strong showing in the first round run at
Daytona International Speedway today.
Team Cobalt California with drivers Thomas Lepper and Bo Roach had the
top finish for the Chevrolet contenders today. The pair managed to bring
their number 48 Chevrolet Cobalt SS from their 16th place qualifying effort
home to finish the three-hour race in ninth place.
“We ran a really clean race,” Roach commented about the three-hour race.
“We had the strategy to go out and stay out of trouble and that is exactly
what we did. The cars were so good under braking, that helped to us to make
up a little ground. I really had to work the draft on the high bank to try and
keep up. Our pit stop went well and we ran as high as fourth place.”
Last year’s top Cobalt SS team, Georgian Bay Motorsports, were headed for a
stout top finish when a tire issue thwarted their charge. Jamie Holtam and
Eric Curran ran toward the top in the ST class most of the race and ended up
10th.
“We had a shot at a top five or better,” relayed Holtom. “I was going into the
Horseshoe turn and had a lot of understeer, which I did not before and I knew
there was a problem. I had to pit as the left rear tire had gone down. It is too
bad, we had a great driving car and we were well positioned for the finish.”
Enrique Gelpi, Chris Wehrheim and Victor Gonzalez came across the finish
in 11th place. The Team Cobalt California trio had a rough start, but ended
the day on a high-note.
“This was my first time racing in the states and on this track,” Gelpi said.
“Our goal was to finish in the top 10, we were close coming in 11th. In a 46-
car field, we are satisfied with that performance. The car ran strong and the
team and everyone at GM really did a great job all weekend.”
Teammates Steve Kent, Gunter Schmidt and Andrew Danyliw drove their GS
Motorsport Cobalt SS to a 17th place finish.
“I have never driven here before and it is also my first Grand-Am race,” Kent
explained. “It was a great experience, I was used to driving V-8 Camaros and
the adjustment to the front driver Cobalt SS was easy. The car handled real
well and with 100+ competitors around you that made our day easy. I am
satisfied with the effort.”
The final Cobalt SS running at the checkered flag was the No. 53 Predator
Auto Sport driven by Tyler Givogue and Robert Boyer. The duo completed
the 200 mile race in 22nd.
“I started the car and it was really good,” said Givogue. “At the driver change
we were in the top 15 and we did not get all of the fuel in the car. We had to
stop again for a splash of gas and that put us out of a potential top 10 finish.”
The No. 84 Team Cobalt California entry of Brian Flint, Robert Dennard and
Sean Hayes did not finish the race due to transmission issues.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been
the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today
employs about 327,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in
Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, 9.09
million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands:
Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel,
Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM operates one of the world's leading
finance companies, GMAC Financial Services, which offers automotive,
residential and commercial financing and insurance. GM's OnStar subsidiary
is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.
More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
