Strong Championship Efforts Earns Shea Racing Team Solid Finishes
Orlando, FL (October 10, 2014) – Shea Racing closed out their second year as a multi-car effort and fifth season with the Pirelli World Challenge Championships at Miller Motorsports Park with Touring Car B drivers P.J. Groenke and Paul Holton and Touring Car A drivers Shea Holbrook and Jason Cherry.
Canadian driver, P.J. Groenke, completed his sophomore year in his No. 66 Verax.ca, Tundra, Mulligan Gold Honda Fit finishing sixth place out of 26 competitors in the Touring Car B Championship. Groenke captured two top-ten finishes at Miller Motorsports Park. With three top-five’s, one podium finish at his home track, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, his first Pirelli World Challenge pole position and several laps led at Road America and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course marked his best season to date. Groenke was also awarded the Sunoco Hard Charger and an Optima Batteries Best Standing Start for his clean and competitive strives and many position gains.
“I’m living my childhood dream of being a professional race car driver. Words are not enough to express my genuine and unending appreciation and gratitude to my partners and the team. I look forward to topping our achievements next season,” said Groenke.
17-year old rookie driver, Paul Holton, from Tallahassee, FL successfully completed his first year in the professional racing series finishing fourth place in the TCB Championship and securing two top-ten finishes at the season finale. Holton shined while at Canadian Tire Motorsport early on in the season taking home his first Optima Battery Best Starting Start Award and he went on to lead several laps at the daunting track. Halfway through the season Holton did it again leading the pack in the No. 65 Radium, TrueCar, Lucas Oil, Honda Fit at Road America winning in wet conditions.
“To think where we started and what we accomplished is definitely humbling. I drove hard all season long and maybe sometimes too hard but, the experiences I had both on and off track I took a lot away from. I’m thrilled to see what the future holds and thankful to my family, my coach, partners and the team for supporting me throughout this roller coaster of a season,” said Holton.
Shea Holbrook, driver of the No. 67 Lucas Oil, TrueCar, Radium, Women’s Sports Foundation, Hendrick Honda Civic Si, drove a stellar season securing five wins and seven pole positions in her fifth year in the series. Holbrook and team kicked off the season strong winning the first race at Barber Motorsports Park to go on to capture 2nd place in the Touring Car A Championship.
“To be so close all season long, just points away from winning it all was disappointing yet, the fight we had to put up felt like a win to us. After everything this season and when we do finally win a championship, it will make it that much sweeter. In some way, everyone I’ve met in this industry has made an impact and contribution to me personal and Shea Racing and for that I want to thank everyone. I’m just your average girl next door with big dreams and I cannot thank our partners enough for empowering us to achieve our greatest goals,” said Holbrook.
Jason Cherry, in the No. 13 Autism Society of America/Avpro/Purposeful Architecture Mazda MX-5 joined the team at New Jersey Motorsports Park where he earned the Optima Battery Best Standing Start award in not just one but both races. Cherry took one pole position and eight top-three finishes throughout the season securing him fourth place in the Touring Car A Championship.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better rookie season especially having the opportunity to support and represent the Autism Society of America,” said Cherry. “Many thanks to the team, my crew chief, the series and all the fantastic fans who came out to cheer for the touring car classes this season!”
