---

TRANS-AM: Simo Scores Third Career Pole in Qualifying for Mosport Trans-Am, Schroder Second

23 May 1999

BOWMANVILLE, Ontario, Can. Brian Simo, driving the No. 2 Valvoline Ford Mustang Cobra, scored his third career pole to front a 25-car field for Sunday's 40-lap, 98-36-mile BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series race at Mosport International Raceway in Bowmanville, Ontario, Can.

Simo, of Carlsbad, Calif., posted a top-time of 1:21.069 (109.190 mph), while his RaceWerX teammate and Speedvision TV commentator Dorsey Schroeder, in the No. 7 Valvoline SynPower Mustang Cobra, was second-quick at 1:21.212 (109.000 mph).

"I was out there following Dorsey, getting the advantage of seeing his brake lights to watch his braking points," said Simo. "I knew he was doing fast laps so I just went a little deeper into the corners and kept at it." Schroeder, making his first Trans-Am Series start since 1997, will do double-duty during the race, providing in-car TV color commentary while behind the wheel. "In some ways, I wish the car didn't have as much in it as it does so I could show the battle in the middle of the field," said Schroeder. "Now that I know what this car's really capable of by ego won't let me drop back I'm going for the win."

Defending Drivers' Champion and Long Beach race-winner Paul Gentilozzi qualified third, followed by Chris Neville and Max Lagod. Canadians Charles Webster, of Hamilton, Ontario, Can., qualified 13th, while Jerry Simmons, of Ancaster, Ontario, Can., will start 16th. Rael, of Valcourt, Quebec., Can., qualified his No. 9 UFO Land Chevrolet Camaro 23rd.

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos and racing art, please visit The Racing Image Galleries and The Visions of Speed Art Gallery

.