VRA Pro Sprints - Niemela Posts Strong Performance Despite Rib Injury

Santa Barbara, Sept 27, 2011: The Markus Niemela Experience produced a courageous Pro Sprint performance in the Steve Watt Enterprises car last Saturday resulting in P4 results for both the heat, and the main.

"I was racing with two fractured ribs due to a crash on my BMX bike earlier in the week, and the fall caused two broken ribs, along with a mild concussion. Nonetheless, I was committed to my teammates, and was medically cleared to race regardless. To prove the point, I was fastest in practice by two tenths, and aside from having some pain here and there, it was all good."

"I started sixth in the heat, but the track was so hooked up, it was quite hard to pass and ended up P4, even though I still got fastest lap. Then, after the invert, I started seventh for the main, and got a flyer that pushed me to the lead at lap ten. I was fighting hard with Brian Camarillo to keep the lead, but made a small driving mistake and got sideways, then got collected by Greg Taylor who was running third. As a result Greg's car flipped, but since my car was undamaged, I decided to soldier on. On the restart, I had to go to the back because of the wreck, however, I was able to make up the time and get back to fourth by the end of the race."

"I feel a bit bad because of the mistake since as usual, the Steve Watt Enterprises car was flying, and I think we could have won that one. All we can do now is get ready for this Saturday, and see if we can get our first win this time."

Niemela will again return to the SWE/Maxwell Industries Pro Sprint car this Saturday, so stay tuned.