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GAINSCO team looks to build momentum in front of hometown fans at Phoenix's GAINSCO Grand Prix PHOENIX (May 10, 2006) -- As the Rolex Sports Car Series heads into Saturday night's GAINSCO Grand Prix presented by GAINSCO Auto Insurance at Phoenix ...
Edited: May 12, 2006, 2:45 AM
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GAINSCO team looks to build momentum in front of hometown fans at Phoenix's GAINSCO Grand Prix
PHOENIX (May 10, 2006) -- As the Rolex Sports Car Series heads into Saturday night's GAINSCO Grand Prix presented by GAINSCO Auto Insurance at Phoenix International Raceway, Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty and the GAINSCO/Blackhawk Racing team are coming off their strongest performance of the season -- a runner-up finish at Laguna Seca last weekend. With the added incentive of a friendly crowd filled with GAINSCO Auto Insurance agents, employees and guests, the team is ready to prove that the No. 99 GAINSCO Auto Insurance Pontiac Riley is a force to be reckoned with every week.
The tough, 1.51-mile infield road course took a toll on the team last year, as a strong run by Gurney was cut short by a spectacular engine fire that forced the No. 99 to retire. But before the GAINSCO team's race went up in smoke, Gurney had set fast laps and charged through the field. This year, with the addition of the GT cars to the race, Fogarty believes staying clean in a potential 50-car field will be absolutely critical.
"I think there is certain to be chaos ongoing throughout the GAINSCO Grand Prix, and we have to avoid that if we want to bring home a strong finish," Fogarty said. "The traffic will be crazy, because Phoenix is a difficult track to pass on to begin with, and on top of that the GT cars will be on their line through the oval so we'll have to go outside to get around."
Team owner Bob Stallings is looking for another solid finish from his team to continue building points and momentum, and echoed Fogarty's feelings about the challenges posed by the track and the other competitors.
"The GAINSCO Grand Prix will be a very difficult race for everyone because of the tight and slippery conditions," Stallings said. "The GT traffic just makes it even more of a challenge, and I think Jon's absolutely right -- staying out of trouble here will be a key for success."
GAINSCO Auto Insurance, the primary sponsor of GAINSCO/Blackhawk Racing, has signed on as the title sponsor of Saturday's race, and will host more than 700 agents, guests, employees and executives out to enjoy a day of food, music and, of course, lots of racing fun. Activities will include a question-and-answer session with Alex, Jon and Bob, paddock tours, a live band and the opportunity to cheer the GAINSCO/Blackhawk Racing team on to victory!
"I am really looking forward to putting on a great show for all of the GAINSCO fans," Fogarty said.
Alex and Jon will chase the team's first-ever Rolex Series victory at Phoenix International Raceway's GAINSCO Grand Prix beginning Thursday with practice beginning at 1:30 p.m. Mountain time, with a 30-minute qualifying race going green at 7:45 p.m. Friday. The GAINSCO Grand Prix, scheduled for 166 laps or two hours and 45 minutes, will go green at 7 p.m. Saturday. The race will be televised on a tape-delayed basis on Sunday at 3 p.m. Eastern.
-GAINSCOracing.com
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