Mid-Ohio: TRG race report

BERTHEAU, PUMPELLY WIN AT MID OHIO

Lexington, OH (June 19, 2010)- Continuing their recent run of success, TRG took their first victory of the year in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, and their third GRAND-AM victory of the year at this weekend's EMCO Gears Classic at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Driving the no. 41 Sargent & Lundy Porsche 911 GT3, Steve Bertheau and Spencer Pumpelly took a surprise victory in the closing minutes of the race.

Driving a steady opening stint, and in only his second-ever professional race, Illinois-resident Steve Bertheau kept the car on pace and in good condition as he handed over to Pumpelly early on in the race. Once behind the wheel, Spencer Pumpelly climbed up steadily through the race, with his TRG crew calling excellent pit strategy and making superb pit stops. In third place with less than five minutes remaining, race leaders Billy Johnson and Joey Hand tangled heading in to turn four, handing Pumpelly the victory and continuing TRG's impressive tally of first-time winners. Steve Bertheau is now TRG's fifth driver to win his first professional race with the team, adding his name to the likes of John Potter (who finished second), Duncan Ende (who finished fifth), Scott Schroeder and Ted Ballou.

For Bertheau, today's victory is a great testament to the team and what everyone has worked for.

"Today exceeded my wildest expectations, I'm just overwhelmed" stated Bertheau. "I've known Kevin and everyone at TRG for a while, but I've only recently begun to take advantage of their development program, and it's just phenomenal. To win in only our second race together is amazing, and I give full thanks to Spencer, Kevin, Tucker, and all the guys."

For Spencer Pumpelly, another career victory with TRG just adds to the tally.

"I'm really proud of Steve and all the guys today," stated Pumpelly. "TRG's GS program is truly first rate, and I'm glad we've finally started getting the breaks to show it."

For Team Owner Kevin Buckler, currently at Infineon Raceway to call the shots at this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup race, the team's third GRAND-AM victory in a matter of weeks is a sure sign that TRG is back on top.

"Today's victory is a huge testament to Tucker Merten and all my guys who put this program together," stated Buckler. "The guys all really stepped up this weekend to make the race a reality, and I'm glad they got to enjoy the spoils. To deliver Steve his first career victory is absolutely amazing, and he deserves a lot of the credit as he drove flawlessly. Spencer was perfect as always, and he's instrumental in TRG's development program. This is a great weekend for the team, and it's great to know we're back on top!"

The next round for the team will be at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey.

-source: trg