Posted (05/16/2006) -
Contact - Bob Varsha, 404-803-1634 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Varsha sees the "Big Picture" (as well as a depressing reality) in Houston Star Mazda
Houston, TX (May 16, 2006) - Racing for the first time on a bumpy temporary track laid out on the streets around the famed Astrodome in Houston, Matt Varsha scored a hard-fought fourth place finish in round two of the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear last Saturday. The result leaves the 19-year old Atlantan second by a single point in the championship standings, with a solid shot at the overall lead at round three next weekend at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.
"It was my first race on a street circuit, and I learned a lot," said Varsha, who was among the top three in the 38-car field in both practice sessions. "The track was a real challenge, especially once the chicane was added to slow the Champ Cars and American Le Mans Series machinery. Warming your tires on a slippery track is tricky, but I was still disappointed to qualify sixth, knowing how hard it is to pass. Then for some reason the start was delayed, which cost us nearly ten minutes of racing time. I lost a couple of positions early trying to avoid contact, but I was able to scramble up to fifth in between the yellow flags and stay close in points." The disqualification of the runner-up finisher for failing post-race inspection elevated Varsha to fourth in the final results.
"Matt did a great job to qualify 6th in his first ever street race," said Jon Mirachi, whose Racers Edge Motorsports crew prepared Varsha's race car. "Not the least bit intimidated by the walls around the circuit, he improved his best time in every session. On street circuits passing is extremely difficult, but the team was confident that Matt could move up after the terrific display he put on at Sebring, passing 33 cars in 17 laps," referring to Varsha's electrifying run from 37th to 4th in the season-opener at Sebring, Florida. "The Houston race was marred by cautions, but despite the traffic Matt was still able to post the second-fastest race lap and capture a fourth place finish. The team can't wait for the next race at Mid-Ohio, a track where both the team and our driver have a lot of experience."
That's the good news. The bad news is that Mid-Ohio is likely to be the talented young driver's last race in the series unless a sponsor can be found.
"The idea of having to drop out now that we've proven that we're legitimate title contenders is pretty depressing," said Varsha, the son of well-known SPEED racing broadcaster Bob Varsha. "I'd rather think about doing well next weekend at Mid-Ohio."
SPEED's one-hour broadcast of the Houston race will air on Sunday, May 28th at 5pm eastern time. For more information on the series go to starmazda.com. For sponsorship information contact Jon Mirachi at 973-919-6111, or Bob Varsha at 404-803-1634.
mattvarsha.com racersedgemotorsports.com starmazda.com
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