Star Mazda - Menezes Qualifies P2, Horto P4, Calderon P7 At Sonoma

Sonoma, August 27, 2011: California native Gustavo Menezes qualified second for this afternoon's Star Mazda race at Infineon Raceway, his best career qualifying result to date. The 16-year-old rookie had turned out a lap time that placed his No. 28 Juncos Racing / TRUECar / SafetyPark / Oakley / Racing Optics car at the front of the field, but he was outdone by the No. 5 car of Tristan Vautier at the very end, missing the pole position by just .064 seconds. With a fastest lap time of 1:28.580, Menezes will start today's race on the front row of the grid for the first time this season.

Gustavo Menezes on qualifying: "This was a very good jump for me this season. I'm very happy because this was my best qualifying session yet. We were able to put together very strong laps, and I didn't even know I was fastest at one point until Ricky (Juncos) told me on the radio! It was very close, but I'm in a good starting position for the race and J.V. (Horto) is starting right behind me in fourth, which is also exciting. I am starting on the front row for one of my home races, so I'm going to fight hard for a win, or at the very least, a podium finish. Hopefully Juncos Racing can have a 1-2-3 finish! We have worked really hard, and we are right there, so I can't wait to get out there for the race."

Qualifying fourth in this morning's session was J.V. Horto of Brazil. Horto was the second quickest driver in both official practice sessions yesterday and was just .241 seconds away from the pole position in qualifying. With close lap times among the top five drivers, Horto's best time of 1:28.757 landed him a second row starting position. With just three races to go in 2011, Horto will be fighting for a top finish in this afternoon's race in his quest for this season's championship title.

J.V. Horto on qualifying: "First of all, I want to say good job to Gustavo (Menezes) and to the team for their first row qualifying effort. It's always good to have a teammate that's at the front. I just wasn't able put a perfect lap together this morning and ended up fourth. I know I have more to bring for the race, though, and I have a really good car. I still have a chance to go for the championship title, too, so I'm going to fight for it. As far as the race goes, I haven't worked out my strategy yet, but I will have one!"

Starting in seventh place for this afternoon's race will be Colombian racer Tatiana Calderon. Eighteen-year-old Calderon has had a strong weekend at Infineon Raceway thus far; she ended up fourth and sixth fastest in yesterday's two practice sessions and was able to keep herself in the front half of the 17-car pack in qualifying. Calderon's best career finishes have been on the other two road courses the series has raced at this season, so the 2.3-mile road course at Infineon Raceway is slated to suit her driving style as well.

Tatiana Calderon on qualifying: "I'm really happy with the way qualifying went today. I feel really comfortable in the car, which is great. I didn't manage to put the perfect lap together this morning, but I think the race is going to be a lot different because the track is going to change a lot between now and five o'clock this evening. We have a really consistent car, though, and the team did a great job as always. I am really looking forward to the race this afternoon!"