Team Kool Green Final Qualifying Report

KOOL/Toyota Atlantic Championship

Team KOOL Green's Alex Gurney suffered a DNF in his debut in the KOOL/Toyota Atlantic Championship. Gurney, a native of Newport Beach, Calif., was caught off-guard when a slower car braked suddenly in front of him on the sixth lap. He hit the back of the car and damaged his suspension.

Alex Tagliani took the season-opener, winning a dash to the finish by 2.854 seconds over Anthony Lazzaro. Tagliani's teammate and last year's series champion, Lee Bentham, finished third in the 37-lap race.

ALEX GURNEY, #27 Team KOOL Green Toyota/Swift: (Started 8th / DNF - Classified 25th)

"I'm really disappointed not to finish the race. Team KOOL Green had given me a great race car and we had done so well to qualify eighth. I dropped two spots on the first of lap, but the car was running strong. I was with the lead group of cars as we came up on a backmarker. The other front runners got past no problem. When it was my turn, the guy (Gary Peterson) hit the brakes entering Turn 2 and there was nothing that I could do. I ran into the back of his car and wrecked my right front suspension.

"I imagined a better result, that's for sure. However, I'm really happy with how the team and I worked together all weekend long. I think the way we kept improving the car bodes well for future races. I hope to challenge Nicolas Rondetand others for rookie honors right until the end of the season."