Newman Wachs Racing Claim P1-2 At Autobahn

Joliet, July 25, 2009: Today was picture perfect for Newman Wachs Racing at the Harrah’s Autobahn Grand Prix Presented by Mazda. Atlantic Championship drivers John Edwards and Jonathan Summerton finished 1-2 for the first of two races this weekend at the Autobahn Country Club, which is just a short distance from the team’s headquarters in Mundelein. In front of the team’s friends, family members, and nearly 60 employees of team owner Eddie Wachs’ other companies, both drivers performed brilliantly and brought home the team’s first ever one-two result.

It was a bit of a hectic start to the race, as the starting lights went off pre-maturely just as drivers were getting to their starting boxes. Race control called for a complete re-start, and Edwards successfully held the first position. Initially, Simona De Silvestro, who started 2nd, launched ahead of Summerton, in 3rd. Officials determined that De Silvestro jumped the start and forced her to drop back one position moving Summerton to 2nd. Edwards pulled out a significant lead from the very beginning, but positions 2-5 were all very close. Fortunately, both NWR drivers were able to keep everyone else in their rear view mirrors and finish on the top two steps of the podium. Summerton had the fastest race lap and improved the most positions (1), which earned him a valuable point and the $2,000 hard charger bonus.

Qualification for Race #2 took place this morning, and to start off a flawless Saturday, Edwards claimed his second career Atlantic Championship pole position by nipping teammate Summerton by just three-hundredths of a second.

Edwards moves into 2nd in Championship standings with his second career Atlantic Championship victory today. He won the season-opener at Sebring International Raceway and can now claim two wins and two poles thus far in the 2009 season. Summerton now sits 3rd in overall standings, but will have a chance to score his 2nd win of the season in tomorrow’s race. Race #2 can also be viewed live on HDNet tomorrow at 2:00 CT.

John Edwards, #36 MAZDASPEED/ Nuclear Clean Air Energy/ Entergy/ NEI/ Newman Wachs Racing: (P1; Fastest Lap 2.06.454)

“What a great day for the team. We locked out the front row this morning for tomorrow’s race and then finished 1-2 in today’s race. It couldn’t have gone any better. Now, we’ll just have to do it again tomorrow!’’

Jonathan Summerton, #34 Nuclear Clean Air Energy/ Entergy/ NEI/ Newman Wachs Racing: (P2; Fastest Lap 2.06.417)

“I’m really happy for Eddie (Wachs) today, especially here, so close to Chicago. It’s the best place to have a 1-2 finish for the team with so many friends and family here. We had a good day, not quite as good as we could have, but we’re happy with the result. We know we’ve got a god race car for tomorrow so we’re aiming for that top spot on the podium!”