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Las Vegas: Carl Skerlong preview

Skerlong Set For Vegas Street Debut Mukilteo, Washington (April 04, 2007) -- Las Vegas loves a winner and last time Seattle's Carl Skerlong raced there he capped his 2006 title-winning season in the Formula TR Pro Series 2000 Championship with a ...

Published: Apr 5, 2007, 4:30 PM

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Skerlong Set For Vegas Street Debut

Mukilteo, Washington (April 04, 2007) -- Las Vegas loves a winner and last time Seattle's Carl Skerlong raced there he capped his 2006 title-winning season in the Formula TR Pro Series 2000 Championship with a pair of victories at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Skerlong heads back to Nevada's glittering city this weekend, 6th-8th April, looking to roll the dice once again as Round 1 of the 2007 Cooper Tires Presents The Champ Car Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda kicks off on the streets of Vegas on Sunday afternoon.

Skerlong will make his series debut in the #24 King Taco/US RaceTronics Swift Mazda-Cosworth this weekend having belied his rookie status in pre-season testing. The 18-year-old earmarked himself as 'one-to-watch' following impressive test performances in Texas and California in February and March and heads to the 2.4-mile temporary street circuit in Las Vegas looking to steal a march on the 26-strong competition he'll be up against when the green flag drops this Sunday.

Quickly up to speed behind the wheel of his 300bhp Swift Mazda-Cosworth, Carl knows that with the first three rounds falling on back-to-back weekends, in Las Vegas, Long Beach and Houston respectively, his introduction to the Champ Car Atlantic Championship will be fast and furious.

"There's no doubting we've got to be on it right from the start," stated Skerlong ahead of his Atlantic debut. "We have a quarter of the 2007 schedule taking place over a two week time frame in April so it's crucial that we make a strong start to the season and get to grips with street racing as the first three rounds are all on temporary street circuits! I'm pretty confident we'll be able to carry our form from pre-season testing into this weekend's first race in Las Vegas."

He continued, "If nothing else the track layout's new to everyone so the sophomore drivers don't have an advantage over the rookies in the series. I've had a look at the circuit and there are a couple of places that could be good for passing but as always, the key to street racing is to qualify well. I have a good career record in Las Vegas but this weekend's event is a different animal. It's important we find a workable set-up as quickly as possible and go from there. It's been a long wait but I'm excited to be making my Atlantic debut in the #24 King Taco/US RaceTronics entry!"

Skerlong, a former member of the U.S. Junior Olympic Ski Team, graduates to Atlantic competition following two decorated seasons in the Formula TR Pro Series, racing Formula Renault's, capturing the 1600 title and 'Rookie of the Year' honors with 14 wins in 2005.

-credit: www.cskerlong.com

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