RACE: Mishael Abbott Homestead national summary

Mishael Abbott Finishes Third on Homestead Road Course

HOMESTEAD, FL (January 17, 2006) -- Mishael Abbott of Coral Springs, FL returned to the track for the second weekend in a row for the Florida Region SCCA Frank Meleney and Dick Springer Memorial Winter Nationals and came away with her second straight podium finish.

During Friday's open testing on Homestead- Miami Speedway's 2.21-mile, 14-turn road course, Mishael hit the wall tearing off the front nose section. Her CDC Builders/Racing for Kids Formula Mazda was repaired in time for Saturday's qualifying and Mishael secured a fourth place starting position.

For Sunday's race Mishael Abbott was nearly 1.5 seconds quicker through the infield section but a change in wind direction left her struggling to keep up down the front-straight. Mishael brought home a third place finish for her second podium finish in two races to kick off 2006.

"The car handled great in the infield but I just couldn't hang with the other cars on the oval," said Mishael. "I qualified fourth and ended up with my second podium finish in the first two weekends of the year, so I am happy with that."

Mishael's upcoming race and on-track activities include several events which are in the planning stage at this time. A trip to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, CA is next on the calendar with actual racing and dates yet to be determined. Mishael anticipates full participation in the Indy Racing League® Indy Pro Series for 2006, final details are in the works.

Mishael Abbott is pursuing her formal education at Florida Atlantic University, working toward an elementary school teaching degree, and at the University of Indianapolis, working on a sports marketing degree. Mishael is seeking sponsorship support to complete the entire 2006 season in one of the premier open-wheeled series'.

-www.mishaelabbott.com