Freedom Autosport Seeks Sixth Mazda Win at Mazda Raceway
*Please note that this release can also be found online by clicking here <http://www.freedomautosport.com/freedom-autosport-seeks-sixth-mazda-win-at-mazda-raceway/>.* For Immediate Release: April 26, 2016 Contact: Beth Dolgner, (678) 485-1947, bdolgner@gmail.com *Freedom Autosport Seeks Sixth Mazda Win at Mazda Raceway* *Team drivers have a combined 10 podiums in a Mazda MX-5 at Mazda’s home track* MONTEREY, Calif. – Freedom Autosport’s history in the Street Tuner class at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is about numbers: five consecutive wins, four 1-2 finishes, and a total of 10 podiums among the team’s drivers. That history of success will give Freedom Autosport confidence as they head into Saturday’s IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge race at the historic road course. Andrew Carbonell has a stellar record at Mazda Raceway: he has finished on the podium in every race there since he joined Freedom Autosport. He was third in 2009, and he and co-driver Rhett O’Doski won the race in 2011, when the series returned after a one-year hiatus. Since then, Carbonell has stood on the top step of the podium three more times, with wins in 2013, 2014 and 2015. He was second in 2012, behind his Freedom Autosport teammates. Carbonell achieved all of those finishes—a total of four wins and two podiums in six races—behind the wheel of the No. 26 Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5. He and co-driver Liam Dwyer will be looking to repeat their 2015 win, especially at Mazda’s namesake track. “It’s an honor to drive a Mazda at Mazda Raceway. To be competitive—and to win races—at Mazda’s home track just brings the whole weekend together, not only for us as the drivers, but for Mazda as a brand,�?? said Carbonell. “The Mazda MX-5 performs so well at momentum-based tracks like Mazda Raceway, so that is definitely a strength for us.�?? Dwyer will have even more motivation during the 2.5-hour race: in addition to Mazda guests, several of the U.S. Marines he served alongside will be at the track, enjoying their first opportunity to see Dwyer behind the wheel. Sergeant Aaron Denning, who saved Dwyer’s life in Afghanistan after an IED explosion, will also be on hand—he was at Mazda Raceway for Dwyer’s emotional victory in 2015, too. “It means a lot to have that support from everyone,�?? said Dwyer. “It’s awesome to have people from Mazda out there to see what we do, backing our team and wanting to be a part of it. On the military side, there are guys who served with me and who helped with my recovery coming to the race. Hopefully Freedom Autosport can give them a win.�?? Britt Casey, Jr., has also represented Freedom Autosport on the podium at Mazda Raceway. He and co-driver Tom Long finished second in 2015, after Casey held down that position for much of his stint. This year, Casey and Danny Bender will be co-driving in the No. 27 TRUMPF/Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5. It will be Bender’s first IMSA race at the track, but he won the SCCA T4 National Championship there in 2014 in an MX-5, which ultimately led to his opportunity to drive with Freedom Autosport. “My whole life involves Mazda, from daily driving my 2016 MX-5, to selling Mazdas during the week, to racing them professionally,�?? said Bender. “To be able to represent Mazda in front of so many people affiliated with the company really means a lot to me.�?? Chad McCumbee and Stevan McAleer might be new to Freedom Autosport this season, but they are no strangers to the podium at Mazda Raceway. They finished second there in 2014 behind the wheel of a Mazda MX-5. Now, they return under the Freedom Autosport banner, driving the No. 25 ModSpace/Premier Building Systems/Spartan Cargo Trailers Mazda MX-5. “We always look forward to going to Mazda Raceway with ModSpace support. It’s a track where we know we can put our Mazda up front and showcase what Mazda is all about,�?? said McCumbee. “Mazda Raceway is a challenge from a handling standpoint, where the MX-5 is always going to shine.�?? “ModSpace is excited to move into this race weekend at Mazda Raceway,�?? said William Mann, Vice President of Business Development for ModSpace. “Chad and Stevan had strong performances in previous years and this is a layout that is suited for the Mazda entries. We know the team is capable of a podium finish here and moving up in the ST points standings.�?? Saturday’s Continental Tire race at Mazda Raceway gets started at 1:25 p.m. PT. Fans can tune in live at IMSA.com or watch the Fox Sports 1 broadcast at 8:00 a.m. ET on May 8. ABOUT FREEDOM AUTOSPORT Since 2008, Freedom Autosport <http://www.freedomautosport.com> has been a major force in the ST class of the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Series, proving the might of the Mazda MX-5s. Between their inaugural season in 2008 and the end of 2014, Freedom Autosport earned 12 wins. In 2015, the team won at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in route to finishing second in the ST championship. Freedom Autosport is named in honor of the men and women of the U.S. military who defend our freedom, and the team is a proud supporter of the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Keep up with the team on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/groups/FreedomAutosport/> and Twitter <https://twitter.com/FreedomAutospt>. ABOUT MAZDA MOTORSPORTS Mazda Motorsports boasts the most comprehensive auto racing development ladder system of any auto manufacturer in the world. The Mazda Road to 24 program offers a number of scholarships to advance drivers up the sports car racing ladder, beginning with the Global MX-5 Cup series and culminating with the Mazda Prototype team. The Mazda Road to Indy is a similar program that includes Mazda-powered categories of USF2000, Pro Mazda and Indy Lights. In grassroots road racing, more Mazdas race on any given weekend in North America than any other manufacturer. Mazda is also the title sponsor of the renowned Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif. Follow all of the latest news at MazdaMotorsports.com <http://mazdamotorsports.com/>, @MazdaRacing on Twitter, and MazdaMotorsports on Instagram and Facebook. ABOUT THE SEMPER FI FUND Semper Fi Fund, and its program America's Fund <http://americasfund.org/>, are set up to provide immediate financial assistance and lifetime support for injured and critically ill members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, directing urgently needed resources to post 9/11 service members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Reserves. Semper Fi Fund has been working with wounded service members since 2004, offering assistance to lessen the burden for those who need it most. The Semper Fi Fund's streamlined structure keeps overhead very low, 6%; they are also one of three veteran charities to receive an "A+" rating from CharityWatch and a "Four Star" rating from Charity Navigator. The Semper Fi Fund has given more than 74,500 grants totaling $93 million+ to over 12,000 service members and their families. For more information visit www <http://www.semperfifund.org>. <http://www.semperfifund.org>semperfifund <http://www.semperfifund.org>. <http://www.semperfifund.org>org <http://www.semperfifund.org>. ABOUT TRUMPF TRUMPF Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the TRUMPF Group. Dedicated to serving the manufacturing needs of the American, Canadian and Mexican markets, TRUMPF is currently the largest manufacturer of fabricating equipment and industrial lasers in North America. We offer our customers innovative, high-quality products and solutions in the areas of sheet metal processing, laser-based production processes and electronic applications. Find TRUMPF online at www.us.trumpf.com and on Twitter as @TRUMPFInc. ABOUT MODSPACE Modular Space Corporation (ModSpace), based in Berwyn, Pa., is a leading provider of modular buildings, portable storage and services for temporary or permanent space needs. Building on more than 40 years of experience, ModSpace serves a diverse set of customers and markets— including commercial, construction, education, government, healthcare, industrial/energy and special events—through an extensive nationwide branch network throughout the United States and Canada. http://www.modspace.com/ ABOUT PREMIER BUILDINGS SYSTEMS Premier Building Systems is one of the largest and fastest growing distributors of steel buildings in the United States. Since 1995, our premium quality steel buildings have been in use for a wide range of industrial, commercial, residential and agricultural applications. http://premierbuildings.com/ ABOUT SPARTAN CARGO TRAILERS Spartan Cargo Trailers, LLC is located in Alma, Ga., and is a wholesale manufacturer of cargo and utility trailers. Manufacturing the industry’s very-best-quality trailers, Spartan Cargo Trailers provides the widest range of products in the industry including common utility/work trailer, a race car hauler, concession stands, restroom units with options like observations decks, hydraulic lifts, audio/visual equipment or something new and straight out of the box. Simply put, if you can imagine it, we can build it. Spartan Cargo Trailers offers as a standard: fifteen exterior colors, with single and tandem axles, radial tires, screw-less exteriors and awnings just to name a few. With the finest customization department in the industry, Spartan Cargo Trailers has designers that engineer trailers to suit customer wants and needs. https://www.facebook.com/Spartan-Cargo-Trailers-LLC-1686537238299528/ Beth Dolgner 2119 Marshalls Lane SE Atlanta, GA 30316 678.485.1947 bdolgner@gmail.com www.BethDolgner.com
