Michael Todd David Mid-Ohio Preview

MID-OHIO NEXT FOR MICHAEL TODD DAVID AND PDR/WATER JOE RACING TEAM FOLLOWING STRONG SHOWING AT TROIS-RIVIERES

CORONA, Calif. (August 6, 1998) - With Trois-Rivieres providing the boost following an 11th place finish, the PDR/Water Joe Racing team and driver Michael Todd David are looking to maintain their upward momentum for round nine of the 13-race KOOL/TOYOTA Atlantic Championship at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Sunday, August 9.

Round nine will mark the eighth consecutive appearance and 16th overall visit of the KOOL/TOYOTA Atlantic Championship to the picturesque 2.258-mile Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course since 1976. North America's richest and longest running open-wheel development series takes the green flag at 11:30 a.m. (ET) for a 25-lap/56.45-mile sprint around the 13-turn circuit, setting the stage for the CART FedEx Championship Series Miller Time 200 later that day.

David's strong showing at Trois-Rivieres in round eight placed Atlantic on notice that the affable 25-year old from Corona, Calif., is serious in emerging as a consistent podium challenger. His practice and qualifying times at Trois-Rivieres, including one qualifying session which witnessed him running as high as third fastest, suggest that David and the PDR/Water Joe Racing team are ready.

"We had some good runs at Trois-Rivieres and at times were running very close to the front," said a rejuvenated David. "We will hopefully carry that same momentum at Mid-Ohio. Thursday's open test will tell us if we will be competitive in our Ralt RT-41. I think we weren't at as much of a disadvantage at Trois-Rivieres because the straight-aways weren't very long; here it will be a different story."

ESPN2 will telecast round eight of the Atlantic championship at Trois-Rivieres on Saturday, August 8, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. PT).

Round nine from Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course will be shown on ESPN2 Saturday, August 15, from 3:30 p.m. to 4: 30 p.m. ET (12:30-1:30 p.m. PT).

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