Mark Pombo Wins Inaugural Jetta TDI Cup Race

Drivers Use Clean Diesel Volkswagens to Cross Finish Line at VIRginia
International Raceway

ALTON, Va., April 27 /PRNewswire/ -- In its worldwide debut, the first
Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup race was held Sunday at VIRginia International
Raceway, with rising star Mark Pombo crossing the finish line after completing
11 laps in the 30-minute sprint race. With a best lap time of 2:15.686 Pombo,
25, from Duluth, GA., raced against 28 other up-and-coming drivers to secure
his win in the race.
(Photo: here )
"Winning the first race of the Jetta TDI Cup is definitely a highlight of
my racing career so far," said Pombo. "It's a competitive field of racers,
with each of the drivers at the top of their game. I wouldn't have been able
to achieve this win without the support of the Volkswagen cup series team and
Cates Engineering."
"We couldn't be more thrilled about our first Jetta TDI Cup race
experience," said Stefan Jacoby, president/CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc.
"We had an amazing event in Virginia with Governor Kaine in attendance, 'Max'
leading the pack as pace car, and incredibly talented young drivers racing
clean diesel cars in what's proving to be a very competitive race series."
Complete Jetta TDI Cup race results are listed below with finishing
position, starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown and laps
completed.
1. (4), Mark Pombo, Duluth, Ga., 11
2. (5), Derek Jones, Philadelphia, Pa., 11, -.463
3. (6), Jimmy Underhill, Denver, Colo., 11, -.532
4. (7), David Jurca, Federal Way, Wash., 11, -.831
5. (20), Gary Williams_Jr., Dana Point, Calif., 11, -1.171
6. (2), Caleb Kenney, Berkeley, Calif., -1.629
7. (21), Chris Kuenning(R), Grand Rapids, Mich., 11, -2.381
8. (11), Chris Castagna, Boston, Mass., 11, -2.556
9. (8), Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle, Puebla, MX, 11, -3.269
10. (10), Michael DeNino, Gaithersburg, Md., 11, -4.122
11. (16), Jake Dallenbach(R), San Antonio, Texas, 11, -4.846
12. (24), Adam Kretschmer(R), Brampton, Ontario, 11, -8.487
13. (19), Andy Lee, Colorado Springs, Colo., 11, -11.204
14. (25), Nick Mancuso, Mettawa, Ill., 11, -11.663
15. (26), Andrew Cordeiro, Woodbridge, Ontario, 11, -11.828
16. (29), Taylor Broekemeier(R), Fort Collins, Colo., 11, -12.457
17. (28), Adam Love(R), Normal, Ill., 11, -14.986
18. (17), Wyatt Dallenbach(R), San Antonio, Texas, 11, -15.751
19. (23), James Kirkham, Beaverton, Ore., 11, -18.063
20. (13), Ryan Buetzer, Long Beach, Calif., 11, -18.195
21. (27), David Richert(R), Niverville MB, Canada, 11, -19.377
22. (15), John Shim(R), Starkville, Miss., 11, -19.768
23. (18), Evan Pflock(R), Rendondo Beach, Calif., 11, -26.949
24. (1), Josh Hurley, Cooper City, Fla., 11, -2:11.011
25. (22), Chad Brassfield(R), Phoenix, Ariz., 10, -1 lap
26. (9), Liam Kenney, Sterling, Va., 9, DNF
27. (14), Adam Crepin(R), St. Louis, Mo., 9, DNF
28. (12), Chris Holman, Burlington, Ontario, 9, DNF
29. (3), Timmy Megenbier, Melrose Park, Ill., 3, DNF

All drivers in this innovative race participated using factory prepared
and managed 2009 Jetta TDI clean-diesel vehicles powered by a 2.0-liter,
four-cylinder TDI engine. The Jetta TDI is lightly modified from spec,
featuring race-ready suspension and brakes, and a six-speed double-clutch
automatic DSG transmission. Additionally, to highlight its environmental
dedication Volkswagen has partnered with Carbonfund.org to certify the entire
race series as carbon free.
The next race in the series will take place on May 16 - 18th, at Mosport
International Raceway.
The Jetta TDI Cup series, the first all clean-diesel race series, is
sanctioned by the SCCA Pro Racing, Inc.
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Volkswagen of America, Inc. recently announced Electronic Stability
Program (ESP) as standard equipment on all its 2009 vehicles. As a result,
Volkswagen is one of the only original equipment manufacturers to offer an
electronic stability control system on their entire product line - ahead of
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) deadline
requiring vehicles in the 2012 model year to include stability control
systems. Volkswagen's ESP technology works in conjunction with anti-lock
brakes and helps reduce loss of control and rollovers to avoid crashes. NHTSA
predicts nearly 10,000 lives could be saved each year if automakers included
stability systems as standard equipment.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn
Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in
Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of
passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit,
New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon,
Eos, and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit
Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.
SOURCE Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Shand Spencer, +1-310-529-6876, shandspencer@yahoo.com