Lime Rock: Matt Lee preview

Lee Will be in Action Saturday at Lime Rock With Backing of JoJo Energy Drinks

SYOSSET, N.Y., July 16 - With the backing of a new sponsor in JoJo Energy Drinks and with an excellent test session under his belt yesterday at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Matt Lee is looking forward to competing in Saturday's Atlantic Championship race at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Conn.

Lee, 19, of Syosset, N.Y., returns to Conquest Racing in what is currently a one-race arrangement. He competed with that same Indianapolis-based team in the Atlantic series in 2007.

The last time Lee raced at Lime Rock Park he certainly turned heads, as he started way back in 23rd spot and charged all the way up to seventh before the checkered flag flew in the first half of a Formula BMW USA doubleheader there over the Memorial Day weekend in 2006 while running with Team Autotecnica. He had even better results in the second half of the doubleheader that weekend, as he sat on the pole and finished second in that race. Lee went on to finish second in the Formula BMW USA championship that year.

With such a rousing history behind him at this track, Lee hopes to be able to give his family and friends something to cheer about this weekend at Lime Rock Park too as he tackles the challenging, 10-turn road course. "I have a few friends coming, and my new sponsor, JoJo Energy Drinks, plan to have a hospitality tent there," Lee said. "It's a new company based out of Long Island, just like I am. They make very good products, full of super antioxidants, green tea extracts, amino acids, B vitamins and cognizin. I like the black cherry drink the best myself. They're also unique in that they have a special infusion system in the cap to keep all the ingredients at their full potency."

In addition to representing JoJo, Lee is looking forward to racing on the new pavement that has been applied to Lime Rock's 1.53-mile track surface since his last appearance there, as well as his return to Conquest Racing.

"I'm really optimistic because we had a good test yesterday at New Jersey Motorsports Park," Lee said. "The team worked well together. I was happy with the engineering, and I think a top-five finish is something that realistically we can aim for."

Lee will drive car number 12. All the Atlantic cars are Swift chassis powered by 300-horsepower Mazda-Cosworth MZR engines, and they all sport Cooper tries.

-credit: restart communications