Automatic Racing Aston Martin Wins IMSA Continental Tire Race at Mazda Raceway

For Immediate Release: September 25, 2017

Contact: Beth Dolgner, (678) 485-1947, bdolgner@gmail.com



​



*Automatic Racing Aston Martin Wins IMSA Continental Tire Race at Mazda
Raceway*

*Phillips, Carter win in California while Automatic driver Davison wins
Trans-Am in Virginia.*



SALINAS, Calif.—Automatic Racing returned to the top of the IMSA
Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge podium on Saturday, as Steve Phillips
and Al Carter drove the No. 99 Stoner Car Care Aston Martin Vantage GT4 to
the overall win in a four-hour race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.



It was a nail-biter of a final lap for Automatic Racing, who has been the
lead car at the white flag twice in the past two seasons without claiming
the victory. At Virginia International Raceway in 2016, the team was
leading but ran out of gas on the final lap. More recently, at Watkins Glen
in July, last-lap contact dropped the team out of the lead.



This time around, though, the last lap was flawless, and closing driver
Carter crossed the finish line to claim the first series win for both
himself and Phillips.



The team chose to have just one driver change, so both Phillips and Carter
drove a double stint. Phillips wrapped up the first half of the race in
eighth position. “I’m the oldest guy over there at 66, but I was up for the
challenge,�?? he said. “It’s great to have my first professional win, but not
nearly as special as being a part of the team that won the race.
Individually, it can’t be done, but as a team, the possibility is there.
That’s what we are striving for every time we are on the track. We don’t
ever give up.�??



Saturday was also Carter’s birthday, and he got the ultimate present in the
way of a trophy. “I have won other big races, but this was the first time I
was closing driver. So I was responsible to the team to bring the car home
and get the win. Getting that win against the competition in this series is
a big step for me as a driver,�?? Carter said.



During the final pit stop, another car stopped partially in the Automatic
Racing pit stall, causing some confusion and delay. Automatic got a
drive-through penalty for an extra man over the wall during the situation,
which gave Carter an extra challenge. “Luckily we were able to get a
caution and get back into contention, and I was able to go from the back to
the front and stay there for the last 20 minutes,�?? he said. “We certainly
earned our victory and I couldn’t be more proud and excited for the whole
team and crew. I’ve been telling everyone that we’re the little team that
could. All we needed was the opportunity.�??



Meanwhile, at Virginia International Raceway, Automatic Racing driver
Steven Davison scored his first TA4 victory in the Trans-Am Series
presented by Pirelli. Davison drives the No. 2 DaVinci Plastic Surgery
Aston Martin Vantage GT4, and although he is a rookie in the series, he is
already a front-runner.



“There is a profound difference in the level of commitment, resources, and
professionalism between amateur club racing and professional racing,�??
Davison says of his debut pro season. “I’ve found that working with
Automatic Racing, the machinery, and the coaching has made it possible for
me to make the leap from enthusiastic amateur to competing in a pro series.
The investment in racing, mentoring, and coaching is as valuable if not
more so than spending money on the car.�??



Fans can watch Automatic Racing’s victory at Mazda Raceway on FS1. The
broadcast begins at 5:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 1.



*ABOUT STONER CAR CARE*

Stoner Car Care is a Stoner Inc. company, a family-owned business since
1942, developing and manufacturing high-performance automotive appearance
products for auto enthusiasts and the professional detailing market. Stoner
Car Care products are manufactured in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Stoner Inc. is a past recipient of the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality
Award for performance and quality excellence and is recognized for
world-class customer service and technical support. For more information
about Stoner Car Care visit www.StonerCarCare.com



*ABOUT INVISIBLE GLASS*

Invisible Glass is a premium automotive glass cleaner from Stoner Car Care,
and it is the top-selling automotive glass cleaner in the United States.
The Invisible Glass product line includes aerosol and spray bottle cleaner,
Invisible Glass with rain repellent for windshields, and even wiper blades.
Find more information about Invisible Glass at www.InvisibleGlass.com


*All MRLS photos by Juha Lievonen <http://www.photosbyjuha.com>.*



Beth Dolgner
2119 Marshalls Lane SE
Atlanta, GA  30316
678.485.1947
bdolgner@gmail.com