Skerlong Scores First Podium of the Season, Muniz has a Strong Run
(May 21, 2008)
The Monterey Festival of Speed
Round Two, 2008 Cooper Tires Presents the Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda

Oxnard, CA - Carl Skerlong earned his first podium finish of the season Sunday at the Monterey Festival of Speed at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca when he finished second. The 19-year old from Mukilteo, Washington started on the front row and led the race before eventual race-winner James Hinchcliffe passed Skerlong on a re-start. While the podium may have given some relief to Skerlong, it comes as no surprise. Skerlong was very quick in off-season testing, he ran in the top three through most of the Long Beach weekend where he was knocked off course at the start but came back and shattered the track record with the fastest lap. The Laguna weekend opened on a positive note with a strong practice session Friday morning, but Friday’s preliminary qualifying session ended in the barrier. Skerlong took the positives from the day and turned them into a front row starting position on Saturday followed by his third Atlantic podium and the second fastest race lap on Sunday.

Frankie Muniz was optimistic about his Laguna debut, following a successful test there last winter. Friday and Saturday’s qualifying results were not what the young American expected. He felt like his results did not show the potential of his #41 Mazda. Notoriously difficult to master, the historic Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca features dramatic elevation changes, hairpins and fast straights. In just this third year of professional racing Muniz found the track exciting rather than daunting. Muniz felt he was driving well, but he felt he was not wringing every opportunity out of every lap, leaving some time on the track, which led to his 18th place starting position. Muniz made up for it in the race, he stayed consistent in his battle to move up the field and turned in a 13th place finishing position, an strong run, Muniz is approaching his goal of top-ten results early in the season.

The PCM/USRT has nearly one month off before round three at Mont Tremblant in Quebec.

CARL SKERLONG, #14 King Taco/Mazda/Swift/Cooper Tires
Starting Position: 2 Finished: 2

Carl on the race: “I had a great time racing out there today. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is blast to drive. It is frustrating because it is very challenging to pass there, but it is also fun because it is fast and full of unique turns. We had a good race going and it looked like possibly even my first win, but I am very happy to have my first podium in the King Taco car for 2008 in the books. I hope this is the first of many and I feel good about the season ahead. My team did a great job all weekend and I had a great car. I am disappointed we have a month before our next race, but I will spend that time racing my go-kart and preparing for Mt. Tremblant.”

Frankie Muniz #41 PCM/Mazda/Swift/Cooper Tires
Starting Position: 18 Finished: 13th

Frankie on qualifying: “It was a good day. Mazda Laguna Raceway is the type of track where you learn a lot every lap. It is challenging to hit your marks lap after lap, but it teaches you to find a rhythm and race. I had a great car and a few good battles. My goal is to run in the top-ten this season and we are getting closer.”

Visit the Pacific Coast Motorsports website at www.pcmracing.com


Skerlong Secures Front Row in the King Taco Car at Laguna
The Monterey Festival of Speed
May 17, 2008
CARL SKERLONG, #14 King Taco/Mazda/Swift/Cooper Tires
Starting Position: 2 Time: 1:16.356 Speed: 105.516

Carl on qualifying: “Good progress over yesterday. The PCM/USRT team did a great job getting the King Taco car quick again today. I am very excited to start on the front row and bring home a solid result tomorrow.”

Frankie Muniz #41 PCM/Mazda/Swift/Cooper Tires
Starting Position: 18 Time: 1:18.240 Speed: 102.975

Frankie on qualifying: “I felt like I was driving well and the car felt good but I just couldn’t’ put a lap together. I am disappointed in the place I am starting because I thought we would be better than that, but I am optimistic that we will have a good race tomorrow because I am happy with my car.”

Shane Senivratne, Team Manager: “As a crew, I think we have improved our game quite a bit over Long Beach. Carl did everything right today, he drove methodically and with confidence. Frankie is losing some time in the high speed corners, but he continues to make improvements.”

Visit the Pacific Coast Motorsports website at www.pcmracing.com


Skerlong and Muniz Searching for Success on Saturday
The Monterey Festival of Speed
May 16, 2008
CARL SKERLONG, #14 King Taco/Mazda/Swift/Cooper Tires

Carl on qualifying: “I made a mistake. We had a great session this morning and I was confident we had a good car for qualifying. Unfortunately, I pushed too hard too fast and lost it at turn four. It was really a shame because the King Taco car is strong. I’m sorry for my guys, but I think we should be quick tomorrow and I can’t wait to get back out there. I’ve tested a few times at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, but this is my first time racing here and I love this place!”

Frankie Muniz #41 PCM/Mazda/Swift/Cooper Tires

Frankie on qualifying: “I am disappointed because I definitely left something on the table out there this afternoon. We made a lot of progress earlier today. I felt like I had a reasonable session going until we came in for tires toward the end of the session. I didn’t maximize that set, but even there I learned a few things. I am really looking forward to tomorrow, I think I should be able to be right around p.12. I hope it cools down just a bit, because I’ve been battling a bit of a flu-bug and it is hot out there.”

Visit the Pacific Coast Motorsports website at www.pcmracing.com


Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway a Favorite for Muniz and Skerlong
(May 15, 2008)
Event: Monterey Festival of Speed
Round: 2 of the 2008 Cooper Tires Presents the Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda
Where: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, 2.238-mile permanent road course
Race Date: Sunday, May 18, 2008

Confidence at the Corkscrew: If testing results give any indication of what is to come, the California-based PCM/USRT team are looking good for a successful weekend. Skerlong led most of the two-day test here last winter and finished second overall, while Muniz hovered near the top-ten. It will be the first time racing here for both Frankie and Carl.

PCMracing.com: PCM re-launched their website this week. Check out www.pcmracing.com for all of the latest news and notes on Frankie and Carl.

Keeping Busy: It’s been nearly a month since round one of the Atlantic championship at Long Beach, but the PCM drivers have been keeping busy. Skerlong has spent the month off racing his go-kart. The 19-year old from Seattle is leading the Rotax Max Series. He’s been competing at various tracks around the Pacific North West. Muniz has been busy training and preparing for a big move. Muniz bought a house in Scottsdale, Arizona and plans to move there after this weekend’s event.

Going to Indy: Frankie Muniz and Carl Skerlong will join the rest of the PCM crew in Indianapolis next weekend for the 92nd running of the Indy 500. Mario Dominguez drives the #96 Visit Mexico City/PCM entry.

Monterey Memories: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is a special place for the California-based PCM squad. They clinched the 2004 Atlantic Championship at the Historic raceway.

Frankie Muniz #14 PCM/USRT/Mazda/Swift/Cooper Tires
Atlantic Starts: 13 Best Atlantic Finish: 9 (Toronto)

Frankie Muniz: “I am very excited to race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. It is going to be pretty intense to race on. I can’t imagine having 20 other cars within an inch from me on the Corkscrew, but it is going to be fun!”

Carl Skerlong #41 PCM/USRT/Mazda/Swift/Cooper Tires
Atlantic Starts: 13 Best Atlantic Finish: 2nd (Houston)

Carl Skerlong: “I am excited to be back at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. It’s been a long month off. We showed good speed here in the King Taco car during winter testing, and we were fast at Long Beach, so I am expecting a good weekend.”

Visit the Pacific Coast Motorsports website at www.pcmracing.com