HOLBROOK CLINCHES 4TH IN TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP AT SONOMA
Holbrook after giving interviews in IndyCar Fan Village Photo credit: eBay Motors
Holbrook made her mark with her on-track performance as she battled with the championship leader and fellow Compass360 Honda drivers. “At this level of racing, everyone is a good racing driver. We knew we had a competitive car and as long as I did my job, the race would come to us. Although, we still drove as if it was our last time behind the wheel,” explained Holbrook.
In the first race, she went from sixth to third on lap 5 to earn the Cadillac CTS-V Move of the Race. She stayed in the top-three until an off course excursion put her back to fourth where she finished the race. “It was upsetting to finish fourth when we were so close to making the podium,” said Holbrook. “We ran a great race except for that one minor mistake but we had to move on and mentally prepare for the next race.”
Holbrook earns the Cadillac CTS-V Move of the Race
Holbrook started fourth in the second race moved into second by Turn 2 of Lap 1 but shortly after fell back to fourth. “In this race in particular it was difficult to compete against the turbo cars in a straight line. It was frustrating as we felt we were faster through the corners,” Holbrook said.
In the final race of the weekend, and of the Championship, Holbrook started sixth and once again finished fourth, completing her first full season in the Pirelli World Championship Touring Car Championship with a strong fourth-place position.
In her first full season, Holbrook and team had two podium finishes, seven top-5’s and five top-10’s.
“I’m humbled, excited and emotional after this race weekend. I just can’t believe my dreams have become a reality and the credit all falls to TrueCar. Looking back to the beginning of the season when the team was rushing to build the 2012 car to where we are today is incredible. Our season on track was a success because of the crew’s relentless hard work, passion and competitive drive to win. I’ve become the driver I am today because of TrueCar’s driver coaches and I owe everything to them. While I’m running around everywhere during the race weekends the team is at the transporter putting their blood, sweat and tears into our Shea Racing program. Racing is interesting in that it goes from a team sport, to an individual sport, and then back to a team sport. It’s important to recognize the army behind the driver. I sincerely thank all our partners and the fans to standing behind our vision.”
Watch the Pirelli World Challenge races from Sonoma on NBC Sports, Sunday, September 9th at 3:30-5PM eastern. Also view the online broadcast on www.world-chalengetv.com and live in-car video from Holbrook’s cockpit on Livestream.
Watch Holbrook’s Move of the Race and Fast Lap at Sonoma.
Holbrook plans to race in the Pirelli World Challenge Championships in 2013.
Special thanks to the fans, TrueCar, Virgin, Lucas Oil, Premier Capital, HPD/Honda Racing, Shea Racing, Compass360 Racing, Eibach Springs, Bell Helmets, K&N Filters, Penta Water, and Cool Shirt.
Shea’s passion for driving started when she was 16 with a “Richard Petty Experience.” Shea quickly began excelling in the motorsports world through high performance driving events all throughout Florida. She then went on to obtain her SCCA license and since then Shea has been road racing competitively all over the nation with many organizations, from sprint races to 25 hour enduros. Shea debuted her first professional race season with SCCA World Challenge Pro Racing in 2010 finishing 6th in the championship. Shea became the first women to ever win a Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car race in 2011 winning the Long Beach Grand Prix along with winning Best Standing Start and the Hard Charger Award. Shea received her Bachelor’s Degree in Interpersonal and Organizational Communications/Marketing from the University of Central Florida in May of 2012. Something you may not know about Shea is that she is an accomplished national competitive water skier holding numerous state, regional and national titles. Shea received the “Living Legend Honoree Award” for her on and off track efforts, has been honored in the “Women in Motorsports” SuperCars Super Show Exhibit and was featured in Teen Vogue. In 2008, Shea became a “Women in the Winners Circle” graduate of the Lyn St. James program. “Fear is a state of mind, will is an action taken.” Shea lives this quote and believes through commitment and determination anything is possible. Helping others is another love of Shea’s. Shea Racing partnered up with Frito Lay Corp., in 2008 to raise $12,500 for the Susan G. Komen “For the Cure.” She has also raised thousands of dollars and awareness for her charity of choice, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD.) PPMD benefits Duchenne muscular dystrophy which affects her own family. Shea is a member of the TrueCar Racing “Women Empowered” initiative and will be competing in Pirelli World Challenge in 2012 and 2013.
You can follow Shea on Twitter (@SheaRacing) become a fan on Facebook, watch her video’s on YouTube and watch live on Livestream.
TrueCar Racing was created to support top female race car drivers in premier racing series, along with young rising stars across several developmental racing series. TrueCar Racing is empowering high-potential women who aspire to become championship race car drivers by providing full sponsorship support, professional coaching and training, marketing exposure, and top-tier racing team opportunities throughout the U.S. TrueCar Racing currently sponsors women in the following race series: IndyCar, Star Mazda, USF2000, World Challenge, Mazda MX-5 Cup and Rally America.
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