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Doncaster Maintains Lead in Latest Points Standing

EDITORS NOTE: The latest team, driver and manufacturer point standings, as well as photos and results from the VIR Twin 250s, are available on the Grand American media-specific website at www.grand-am.com/media. 
Additional information may be requested from Grand American Road Racing Association 
Christie Hyde (386) 681-4182; email: CHyde@grand-am.com
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Doncaster Maintains Lead in Latest Points Standings
Exciting Championship Race Shaping Up for Season's Final Races

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 4, 2002) -- The Grand American Road Racing Association released its latest point standings for the Grand-Am Cup Street Stock Series following last weekend's VIR Twin 250s at Virginia International Raceway. With three races remaining in the 2003 season, Doncaster Racing and its driver Scott Maxwell continue to lead the Grand Sport I class team and driver standings. 

Maxwell scored a second-place finish in the Doncaster #76 Porsche at the VIR Grand Sport 250, increasing the team and driver's lead over Powell Motorsports and drivers Devon Powell and Doug Goad from three points to five. Maxwell had previously shared the top spot in the GS I class with his co-driver David Empringham, but a scheduling conflict kept Empringham from last weekend's race and secured Maxwell the sole lead in the class. 

Max Q Motorsports kept its lead in the Grand Sport II class, however second-place team Shreiner Racing picked up one point on the leaders. Istook/Aines Motorsports made a giant leap back into championship contention following its victory at VIR. The team had previously been 29 points behind the leader in fourth place, but is now only 18 points down in third place. 

The GS II driver standings are similar with Max Q's Emil Assentato and Nick Longhi tied on top, while Shreiner's Jeff Lapcevich and John Shreiner are tied for third place, 11 points behind the leaders. Istook/Aines drivers Don Istook and Alejandro Lince advanced in the standings to a fifth place tie. The pair, which was previously 37 points behind the leader, is now only 21 points back. 

The third-place finish by the Villaconn International #34 BMW Z3 in the Sport Touring 250 improved its standing in the ST I class. The team strengthened its lead an additional two points to six points over King Motorsports. The heavy rain during the Sport Touring 250 was not kind to Team Lexus, which took a slide in the standings. While the #0 and #2 Lexus IS300 entries were able to keep their third- and fourth-place standings, the #0 entry lost six points on the leader and is now 14 behind, while the #2 car slipped 10 points and is now 20 points back. 

Team Lexus driver Jean-Francois Dumoulin was able to hold onto his lead in the ST I driver standings, however Villaconn driver Beau Buisson is now right on his tail. Dumoulin had previously enjoyed a seven-point advantage in the class, but now has Buisson only one point behind him in the standings. 

King drivers Bob Endicott and Mike VanSicklen are tied for third place in the class after picking up four points on the leader. The pair now trails Dumoulin by 13 points. 

Bill Fenton Motorsports increased its lead in the Sport Touring II team standings by earning its fourth ST II win of the season. After holding a narrow one-point lead over the HRPworld.com #41 Acura in the previous standings, the Bill Fenton team now has an eight-point advantage in the class. 

Bill Fenton driver Bob Beede is now solely at the front of the ST II driver standings after previously sharing the lead with HRPworld.com drivers Will and Wayne Nonnamaker. The brothers drop into a second-place tie, seven points behind the lead. 

Three races remain in the 2003 Grand-Am Cup season. The next round of racing will carry the series north of the border to Quebec, Canada, for the 6 Heures du Mont-Tremblant, September 13-15. Tickets are currently on sale for the event and may be purchased online at www.lecircuit.com. More information on the Grand-Am Cup Street Stock Series can be found online at www.grandamcup.com.

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