Long Beach, California (April 07, 03) – Undoubtedly, the first race of the season at Monterrey, Mexico’s Fundidora Park validated predictions that the 2003 CART Toyota Atlantic series would reach the upper limit of the RPM gage in terms of competitiveness, equaling, if not surpassing, last year’s Championship. The open-wheel racing drama that unfolded at Fundidora Park’s 2.1-mile racetrack resumes Sunday, April 13 on the streets of Long Beach, California.
Much deserved attention will be paid to Jonathan Macri and Polestar Atlantic. No doubt, this new formidable formation succeeded in converting any skeptics to their Championship cause by capturing second in Monterrey. Once again, the twenty-one year-old Gormley, Ontario racing talent will be looking to plant right foot firmly onto pedal in an attempt to pilot his # 84 NTN/Toyota Swift to victory at the famed 1.97-mile temporary street course at Long Beach.
“Monterrey put us on a real high. We expected to challenge hard this year, but like every other team and driver, the first race is usually an opportunity to get a feel for the competition and to measure how close we are or how far we need to improve to be competitive,” Jonathan said. “But it’s great to know that we are right on target and can challenge for the podium right at the start of the season.
Racing Long Beach last year wasn’t the most memorable race. I ran well and turned the third quickest lap but got caught in a big pile-up in Turn 1, unfortunately. Long Beach is one of my favourite tracks; I’ve always liked to run street courses, so it was really frustrating having to get bumped out. But I’m back with a new team, and we’ll be working hard to qualify up front so we don’t have to worry about getting bumped or sandwiched. Hopefully, we’ll get a win. That would be a real treat for Polestar Atlantic, my sponsor NTN Bearings and me.”
Jonathan currently sits in second place, with 16 points, 5 points behind Lynx Racing’s Michael Valiante, who leads the Championship.
The stage is set for the second act of this 12-race drama. Look for Polestar’s Atlantic Jonathan Macri to push his # 84 NTN/Toyota Swift hard through the streets of Long Beach. No doubt, this is one team and driver act that will be at centre stage this year.
The CART Toyota Atlantic race weekend kicks off Friday, April 11 with a 30-minute practice at 8:45 a.m., followed by a 30-minute afternoon qualifier at 1:45 p.m. Saturday will see competitors enter onto the track at 8:45 AM for a second practice session and a final qualifying session at 3:00 p.m. The Atlantic Grand Prix of Long Beach goes Green Sunday April 13, and will be televised live on SPEED Channel at 1:30 PM. |
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