Marsal Strong in Laguna Debut

Marsal Strong in Laguna Debut

Monterey, Calif. (9 July 2011) – Michael Marsal and Turner Motorsport co-driver Don Salama drove to a 13th place finish at the Continental Tire Sports Car Festival Powered by Mazda and Round 8 of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge 10-race championship.

Marsal opened the 2.5-hour race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca from 10th on the grid and immediately set a consistent, quick pace as he moved into the eighth position by lap 15.

The Turner Motorsport squad called Marsal to pit lane during the race’s first caution period and Marsal re-entered the track in the 14th position. However, the second-year racer would waste no time in moving forward as he advanced four positions to run 10th prior to the team’s second pit stop.

During the fourth of six caution periods, Marsal headed to pit road for the team’s second scheduled stop and handed the No. 97 BMW over to Salama, who filled in for Turner Motorsport driver Joey Hand, to finish out the race.

Salama, who won the 2006 ST championship along with team owner Will Turner, remained just outside the top-10 throughout the remainder of the race to cross the finish line 13th.

“It was a good day for us,” said Marsal. “I felt pretty comfortable in the car, and we were in the top-10 for most of my run. It was a nice long stint in the car and it was good fun racing. Because of the longer stint, we lost traction as others had newer tires later in my stint. So it was a challenge. The traction in Turn 11 was tough as well as the braking into Turn 2, but overall I’m very happy with the race. I also have to say a big congrats to Joey (Hand) on his American Le Mans Series win at Lime Rock Park today. Now I’m looking forward to racing close to home in a couple of weeks.”

Next up for Marsal is the B+ Foundation Heroes 200 in two weeks at New Jersey Motorsports Park July 22-23.

The Continental Tire Sports Car Festival Powered by Mazda will broadcast July 17 at 1:00 PM (ET) on SPEED.

Matt Cleary
Sunday Group Management
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http://www.sundaymanagement.com
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Based in Indianapolis, Sunday Group Management is a leading motorsports management and communications consulting firm.

Sunday Group Management works with clients in a variety of motorsports categories, including NASCAR Sprint Cup driver AJ Allmendinger, Riley Technologies, GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series organization Michael Shank Racing, Continental Tire, and several teams and drivers in Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge competition.

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