Problems Stymie Scarallo at Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

Joey Scarallo No. 06 ROH Wheels/Group A Autotrend / Toyo Tires Chevrolet
Corvette 



LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 18, 2004) ­ Joey Scarallo, driver of the No. 06
ROH Wheels/Group A Autotrend / Toyo Tires Chevrolet Corvette, wasnıt able to
catch a break in todayıs Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the season opener
of this yearıs Motorock Trans-Am Series championship.

Scarallo started 14th in the grid and was involved in a first-lap, multi-car
crash in turn one. Scarallo rebounded, but ignition problems slowed him on
the backstretch.  

³The ignition fizzled out and I was stopped on the backstraight,² said
Scarallo. ³I lost a few laps pulling out into the green,² said Scarallo.

Scarallo pitted, but a tire failure then sidelined him for the rest of the
event. ³The tire began to shred and it cut down on its own,² said Scarallo.

Scarallo, though, was upbeat about his performance.

³The car itself, handled great,² said Scarallo. ³When we were running, we
were running very well. It was both frustrating and annoying that we did not
finish this race, but I am optimistic that all the carıs kinks will be
ironed out between now and Portlandıs race on June 19.

³I have my feet wet again and feel good about this year. I look forward to a
success in Portland in June and am eagerly awaiting the next race,²
concluded 
 
Scarallo completed 17 laps and earned 13 points toward the 2004 Trans-Am
Series championship.

The oldest of four siblings, Scarallo, 25, lives in Smithtown, N.Y. Scarallo
manages Autotrend Tire and Wheel Company Inc., his familyıs wheel importing
business in Lindenhurst, N.Y.
Scarallo will compete next at Portland International Raceway on June 19.