Volkswagen announces 2009 Jetta driver lineup

Volkswagen Announces 2009 Jetta TDI Cup Driver Lineup
30 drivers set to compete for the series championship beginning April 24

HERNDON, Va. (Feb. 10, 2009) -- Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced the names of the 30 drivers who will compete in its 2009 SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup season. The Volkswagen-operated spec series, which is entering its second season, will take the green flag on its SCCA Pro Racing-sanctioned events on April 24 at VIRginia International Raceway.

Drivers selected to compete in the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup include:

Joey Atterbury -- Renton, WA Andy Lee -- Maricopa, AZ

Nicky Boulle -- Dallas, TX Timmy Megenbier -- Melrose Park, IL

Taylor Broekemeier -- Fort Collins, CO JD Mobley -- Castle Rock, CO

Nelson Canache -- Norcross, GA Eric Morse -- Pittsburgh, PA

Christopher Castagna -- Boston, MA AJ Nealey -- Pasadena, MD

Devin Cates -- Broad Run, VA Evan Pflock -- Redondo Beach, CA

Theresa Condict -- Lexington, MA Mark Pombo -- Duluth, GA

Andrew Cordeiro -- Woodbridge, ON Perry Richardson -- Los Gatos, CA

Michael DeNino -- Gaithersburg, MD David Richert -- Winnipeg, MB

Ryan Ellis -- Ashburn, VA Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle -- Puebla, Mexico

David Heinz -- Bethel Park, PA Kerstin Smutny -- Bothell, WA

Chris Holman -- Burlington, ON Jake Thompson -- Vancouver, BC

Derek Jones -- Philadelphia, PA Rhett Tucker -- Cumming, GA

Caleb Kenney -- Berkeley, CA Donny Warren -- Winchester, VA

Adam Kretschmer -- Brampton, ON Kyle Wharff -- Miramar, FL

Last week, Volkswagen welcomed driver candidates to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., for four days of extensive evaluation. Drivers were tested on and off the track to determine skill level, potential and overall ability. After various driving, media readiness and physical fitness assessments were conducted, the series' 30 participants were selected.

"We're definitely looking forward to our second season with the Jetta TDI Cup," said Clark Campbell, Motorsport Manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc.. "The response from the racing community to our program has been fantastic, and I think that is evident by the pool of high-quality drivers that we had to choose from. We're proud to be welcoming back 15 competitors who competed in the series last year, and we're looking forward to aiding in the development of 15 new drivers." added Campbell.

During the Jetta TDI Cup season, drivers will compete in ten events on eight road courses around North America in identical factory-prepared and maintained Jetta TDI's powered by clean diesel. The series Champion will win $100,000. In addition, each driver who competes in the series will earn a Pro Racing license from SCCA at the conclusion of the season.The Jetta TDI Cup car is powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder TDI clean diesel engine with six-speed, double-clutch, automatic DSG transmission. The car is only slightly modified from stock with race suspension and brakes.

-credit: volkswagen.america