Series Millville rounds 7, 8 preview

Championship Showdown as Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Stages Double-Header at New Jersey Motorsports Park

Tooele, UT-- (16 July 2010) -- With just one point separating the two leading championship contenders, the seesaw battle atop the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Championship between Jason von Kluge and Tony Buffomante is as close as race fans could ask for. The fight for the championship crown could take a critical turn this weekend when the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge storms into Millville this weekend as Buffomante and von Kluge both look to emerge from the double-header race weekend with a firm grip on the lead.

While the racing through the field has once again shown the Mustang Challenge to be highly competitive from the front to the back of the pack, the duo have dominated the top step of the podium so far in Mustang Challenge competition, with von Kluge taking four wins to date to Bufomante's two race victories. The ultra-slim points margin shows how close they are fighting as the series makes a third visit to New Jersey Motorsports Park.

"It felt great to get back on top of the points after winning at Mid-Ohio, but Tony is a great racer and I know that I have to keep qualifying well and winning if I am going to take the championship," offered von Kluge. "Tony has been pushing me hard at every track so I am sure New Jersey will be no different. I just have to stay on top!"

With two Mustang Challenge races this weekend, the race weekend could play a pivotal role in the championship battle with a significant points haul on offer for the New Jersey event. Intensifying the pressure for all involved is a hectic schedule for the weekend, with Saturday and Sunday both featuring qualifying and a race.

The Mustang Challenge race at NJMP in 2009 saw the series stage an impressive flag-to-flag run of green flag action despite hugely challenging rainy conditions as the drivers made the most of the grip on offer from the BFGoodrich g-Force KDW Wet tires. That race saw von Kluge establish himself as a contender with his outstanding run to the podium. For Buffomante, he'll be looking to knock off some rust on the track, as he did not race at NJMP in 2009, although he'll only have to go back to 2008 to find some GoPro in-car video to review when he scored sixth at the track.

While the drivers have swapped hot streaks--von Kluge scoring three wins to open the season ahead of Buffomante reeling off two of his own--there are plenty of other drivers who will look to break that monopoly at the top step and make their own championship push late in the season. Look for Dan Aweida, George Winkler, Pratt Cole, and impressive young rookie Kyle Gimple to keep the pressure on up front.

News and Notes:

More Drivers "Taking Control" in 2010
The 2010 season has been a highly competitive one, all the way through the field. The BFGoodrich "Take Control" Award, which rewards the driver making up the most positions during the race with two BFGoodrich g-Force R1 Tires, has seen five different drivers up on the podium to pick up the award in five different rounds.

Zach Lutz (Homestead)
George Winkler (Homestead)
Ben Crosland (VIR)
Brad Adams (Lime Rock)
Dan Aweida (Watkins Glen, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course)

We're Going GREEN!
Initiated for the first time at the VIR race weekend, the Greenfiltersusa.com "We're Going Green" Award rewards the driver who makes up the most positions on the opening lap with a check for $250. GREEN Filters are the Official Filters for the Mustang Challenge, and every Ford Mustang FR500S machine you see racing this weekend carries the part for improved performance.

Steve Phillips (VIR)
Richard Golinello (Lime Rock Park)
Richard Golinello (Watkins Glen, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course)

Sunday Group Management Rookies of the Race Make Donations to Austin Hatcher Foundation
The highest finishing eligible Rookie drivers win a $150 donation given in their name to the official charity of the Mustang Challenge-The Austin Hatcher Foundation.

John "Chip" Scarlett (Homestead)
Richard Golinello (Homestead)
Kyle Gimple (VIR, Lime Rock, Watkins Glen)
Craig Capaldi (Mid-Ohio)

-source: ford racing mustang challenge