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Trans-Am: Simo Fastest in Practice for Mid-Ohio Trans-Am; Mennen in Top Five

5 June 1999

LEXINGTON, Ohio - Brian Simo, driving the No. 2 Valvoline Ford Mustang Cobra, was fastest in Friday's practice for Sunday's 45-lap, 101.25-mile BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, part of the U.S. Road Racing Classic weekend.

Simo, of Carlsbad, Calif., posted a top time of 1:24.015 (96.411 mph) to front the 33-car field, while Paul Gentilozzi, in the No. 1 Johnson Controls/HomeLink Mustang Cobra, was second-fastest at 1:24.185 (96.216 mph). Randy Ruhlman was third, followed by G.J. Mennen and Michael Lewis.

Mennen, a rookie from Austin, Texas, posted his first career top-10 finish at Lime Rock Park on Memorial Day (ninth) and is looking forward to continuing his development at Mid-Ohio.

"Being able to get more seat time in the car has really paid off," said Mennen.

"We've also changed the setup on the car, and it's really working for us. The more I'm in the car, the more comfortable I am. Hopefully tomorrow I can stay out of traffic and get a couple of clean laps in for qualifying."

Sunday's Mid-Ohio Trans-Am race will be televised live on the Speedvision Network, beginning at 1:00 p.m. EDT.

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