Shea Racing Captures Podium Finish in Houston and Ends Season with Three Top-Ten Championship Finishes
Orlando, FL – (October 14, 2013) Shea Racing Team captured their first podium of the season (3rd) at last weekend’s season-ending Grand Prix of Houston capping off a successful season in the Pirelli World Challenge. In their inaugural year as a three (and sometimes four) car Team, Shea Racing completed the 2013 Pirelli World Challenge season with three Top-Ten finishes in the Touring Car and Touring Car B-Spec Championships.
Photo By: Mark Weber
The weekend began with P.J. Groenke, driver of the No. 66 Mulligan Gold, Tundra Technical Solutions, Verax.ca, Honda Fit running fourth fastest in both races at the daunting 1.7-mile street course.
“Shea Racing has always given me a great car and it was time I went for it at all costs. I was determined to run the fast laps I needed to put me in the front of the pack because that was the only way I knew we’d have a shot at a podium,” said Groenke.
Groenke scored a fourth-place finish in race one and captured his first Pirelli World Challenge podium in the second race with a third-place finish to place him sixth in the Touring Car B-Spec Championship along with being awarded the Grassroots to Glory Award for the strides he’s made this season.
“I’m ecstatic to bring home a podium finish for the team, Mulligan Gold, Tundra Technical Solutions, Verax.ca and all of our partners! After a competitive season and just shy of a fifth place finish in the championship I’m very pleased to of finished sixth knowing we gave it everything we had,” Groenke said.
Photo By: Melissa Smith
Shea Holbrook, co-owner and driver of the No. 67 TRUECar, Hendrick Honda, Lucas Oil, Radium, Honda Fit ran as high as third place in race one, before an incident that caused her to slide back to sixth where she would ultimately finish. Despite alignment issues from the race one incident she was able to maintain a sixth place finish in race two as well.
“This was a fantastic season for our team and partners. All of the Shea Racing drivers showed improvements throughout the season, culminating with our best performance of the year at Houston. I’m very happy P.J. got his first podium and enjoyed working with him as a teammate all season long. I’m humbled and proud of the effort everyone put in to help me capture a seventh place finish in the championship,” said Holbrook.
Photo By: Mark Weber
Brian Fowler in his No. 65 TRUECar, Tundra Technical Solutions, Ford Fiesta had his best finishes at the demanding street course securing an 11th and 12th place finish respectively. Despite running a partial season Fowler finished 19th in the Touring Car B-Spec Championship.
“I thoroughly enjoyed competing in the series with the Shea Racing team and am pleased with my results in Houston. Shea and the team have put together a professional platform for drivers looking to advance their race craft and enhance their personal and partners brands,” said Fowler.
Jon Miller, driver of The No. 68 Titan Motorsports, loudbasstard, TRUECar, Honda Civic Si, was unable to attend the final race yet still finished fourth in the Touring Car Championship.
The 2013 season completes Shea Racing’s fourth season in the Pirelli World Challenge Championship and first year as a successful multi-car effort.
Photo By: Kiki
“I’m extremely proud of the crew and beyond grateful for our partners and fans support in in this new venture. Wearing two different hats both on and off the track has been incredibly humbling and has opened my eyes to another world in racing. I look forward to preparing for the following season during the winter months and coming back bigger and stronger than before,” Holbrook said.
Over the course of the season Holbrook invited Duchenne muscular dystrophy families to experience the racing atmosphere and to help raise awareness and raise for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy which directly benefits Duchenne, a disease that affects Holbrook’s cousins. Holbrook partnered with Bell Racing Helmets and Kocher’s Custom Paint to create a uniquely design helmet to raffle off to benefit the charity. Shea Racing is pleased to announce Barb Kreisel, an avid motorsport fan and supporter of Shea Holbrook, won the raffle which was announced Tuesday. Collectively, $3,000 was raised.
Continue to follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and for more information visit www.shearacing.com.
Watch the Shea Racing Team on TV
Be sure to catch all of the action from the Grand Prix of Houston on NBC Sports, Sunday, October 20th at 4 p.m. eastern.
Thank you partners for your continued support: Radium Racing Radios, TRUECar, Lucas Oil, Eibach Springs, CoolShirt Systems, Power Rev Racing, VisionX Custom Graphics, Hendrick Honda, K&N Filters, Penta Water, OMP, Bell Racing Helmets and E3 Spark Plugs.
