Monterrey: Toni Kasemets race notes

Kasemets scores 1st Podium in Scorcher, South of the Border

Indianapolis, IN / Mundelein, IL USA -- May 24, 2005 -- Two days after Tonis Kasemets (#6 Flexovit Abrasives/MK Ind./TMI/Redline Oil) made his first podium visit in Round 2 of the Toyota Atlantic Championship (TAC) Presented by Yokohama, the excitement is still fresh; as he relates, "This feels unbelievable! So much hard work from all involved. This is my way of paying them back for all they've done." For the first time in 8 starts in TAC, Kasemets tastes the champagne by scoring a 2nd place finish at Fundidora Park in Monterrey, Mexico at what was his first visit to the 2.104-mile permanent road course. Charles Zwolsman (#11 Condor Motorsports) captured top honors by a 1.232 second margin. Kasemets battled hard with Zwolsman throughout every portion of the 32 lap event and finished just over 12 seconds ahead of 3rd place, which went to David Martinez (#7 Roshfrans/Todito Card/Roca Acero/Madisa/Koviva/Aviacsa).

It was also Kasemets' best start in his 2 Atlantic seasons; Front Row, Position 2. On lap 17, Kasemets shined brightest with the fastest lap of the race, then topped it again on lap 25. In the end though, it was Zwolsman who owned the fast lap time, by only 4 one-thousandths of a second.

Tonis comments on the winner: "Charles is a very good driver.  I
congratulated him.  He put up a very clean fight."

The 3 day Champ Car/TAC event officially drew an audience of over 190,000. Emergency personnel treated 100 spectators for sunburn and dehydration. The persistent 100+ degree air temperatures with 140+ degree track temps and full sun conditions took it's toll, although Kasemets "was concerned. but it didn't effect me. We had to do our job. Every lap we got faster and faster. It's just part of the deal."

Dan Cobb Racing/Team Tonis team Principal Dan Cobb (#9 Camelot Construction- C2), finished 10th overall and leads the C2 category of TAC point standings. Kasemets has praise: "Dan is a great team mate. A big part of why I'm able to race this year." Kasemets is now 4th in TAC points, and adds, "I'm very happy. Very satisfied. It's not a win. but very good results for Championship. 10 more races to go. I'm really looking forward to the Double at Portland next month."

The Tecate/Telmex Grand Prix of Monterrey Presented by Roshfrans Atlantic tape-delayed coverage begins at 2pm ET this Saturday May 28th on Speed TV.

-www.toniskasemets.com