Daytona Beack, FL -- As the lights were turned on for a new season of ASRC racing action, so too was the microscope on new GRX Motorsports member Patrick Fogel. Fogel was signed during the off-season to a ride in the #14 Citibank Toyota, vacated by the retired Tyler Tucker. Blake Taylor returned to his ride in the #34 Toyota, with a one race sponsorship by Zerex.
The race itself was a disappointment as all three GRX cars encountered Trouble. Early on, Alex Faust was involved in a crash when Todd Chaffee attempted to bump draft going into turn three. Though the damage was minimal to the car, Faust was trapped a lap down in the pits. He was able to recover the lap later on, but other GRX drivers encountered problems. Blake Taylor crashed hard with Eric Skellie under caution, when Skellie's car had mechanical problems causing it to swerve up in front of traffic. Patrick Fogel, who had been running up front all night, then got shoved into the wall while in traffic, taking him out of contention.
Tyler Armstrong went on to win the event, but it was not a total loss for the GRX Team. Kenny Baum, a driver long affiliated with GRX Motorsports, worked very well with the GRX team during the race, and is an asset for the next restrictor plate race, along with Dave Damboise (Baum's teammate).
GRX SIGNS KIRSCHNER TO DEVELOPMENT DEAL
On Friday afternoon, just before the season opening ASRC race, GRX Motorsports signed Anton Kirschner to a driver development contract. Kirschner will drive a limited schedule in the ASRA and ASRC series, starting next week at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Jaron Stewart
Kurt Heidel
Ken Rork
Alex Faust
Tim Terry