Atlantic

Joe Sposato PR 97-04-06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JOE SPOSATO REACHES ATLANTIC CENTURY MARK AT THE TOYOTA GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH HIGHLND PARK, Ill.. (April 6) - - History will be made when ...

Edited: May 8, 2001, 12:19 PM

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JOE SPOSATO REACHES ATLANTIC CENTURY MARK AT THE TOYOTA GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH

HIGHLND PARK, Ill.. (April 6) - - History will be made when KOOL/TOYOTA Atlantic driver Joe Sposato takes the green flag on Saturday, April 12 at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Long Beach will mark an unprecedented 100th professional Atlantic race start for Sposato in a career which has spanned North America and many of the worlds most famous racing circuits. Sposato's memory is as acute as ever when he reminisces about his first Atlantic race in July, 1975, at Mosport Park, Ontario, in the Player's Challenge Series. "I was sandwiched between Gilles Villeneuve and Australian driver Vern Schuppan in the paddock," said Sposato, who qualified 36th in a 54-car field. However, the rules of that day required all drivers who qualified after 35th to run in a qualifying race. Sposato finished second place in the qualifying race to Bill O'Connor, spouse of Vicki OConnor, president of Pro-Motion Agency Ltd., the company which administers the Atlantic series, and finished 35th in the Player's Challenge event. Elliott Forbes-Robinson was the race winner. Sposato won his first Atlantic race at Sears Point in 1989 in an SCCA/Toyota Atlantic Championship Pacific Division event. He eventually finished second place in the Toyota/Atlantic Pacific Division championship with 99 points behind series winner Hiro Matsushita. In 1990, Sposato ran his first Indy Car race under Dick Simons banner at Laguna Seca Raceway. "Unfortunately, this was the only Indy race I ever saw that ran without a single caution flag," said Sposato. "We could have used a rest after the second fuel stop. At the finish I was really exhausted." Sposato finished third in the 1995 Player's/Toyota Atlantic Championship C2 division while running a limited five-race schedule. "The Atlantic series has experienced many changes, and I have seen the series produce terrific racing during my span of 99 races," said Sposato. "There are many people to thank, but none more important than my wife, Suzanne. It takes a special person to understand the time, money, and commitment required to compete in what will be 100 races." Sposato's primary sponsor in 1997 is Scott Air-Pak, a leading manufacturer of breathing apparatus used by firefighters. A unique feature of Sposato Motor Racing is that with the exception of team engineer Dave Trevisan, each team member has a fire-service related background. Sposato is the President of Allstar Fire Equipment. "I also want to acknowledge the support I've enjoyed over the years from other sponsors including Hoescht Celanese, Valvoline Oil, Allstar Fire Equipment, Angus Fire Hose, and the great series' sponsors of Toyota, Players, Yokohama, TRD, and KOOL," said Sposato. # # #

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