Jarvis Gennari Earns Back-to-Back Wins at Road America

ELKHART LAKE, Wis., Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Before this weekend, Jarvis Gennari had not found Victory Circle in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, but as he heads out of Wisconsin, the Series rookie has two wins to his name.  Not only did the Boca Raton native find victory yesterday, but he also duplicated that feat this morning at Road America after coming all the way from a starting position of 14th.

"What an incredible weekend," said Gennari.  "Being able to earn back-to-back wins is an amazing feeling.  Not only were these my first Series wins, but they're also the first victories for me in a racecar of any kind.  Up until this season, I've only competed in karting, so today really marks a milestone in my career.  Starting from 14th and making my way through the pack was incredible.  I definitely got into a rhythm out there and before I knew it, I had taken the checkered flag.  That was just an incredible feeling – as soon as I realized I'd won, I started tearing up in my helmet.  Not only did I have a great event, but I'm also right there in the Championship hunt.  Having a breakthrough weekend like this was not only a confidence boost, but it's also the highlight of my eight years in racing."

There was some exciting racing taking place at the 4.048-mile permanent Road Course in Elkhart Lake this morning.  Not only did today's winner, Gennari, move up thirteen spots during the event; but there were a couple of other big moves through the field as well.  Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle started the race in 22nd and made his way all the way up to fifth.  Series rookie, JJ Tomlinson, also charged through the ranks; after starting 15th, he was able to bring the No. 28 Jetta TDI Cup car home in eighth place.

There are just two races left in the 2010 season and the points race will most certainly come down to the final event, as just 44 points separate the top-five drivers.  Gennari was penalized thirty points in this weekend's first event, but upon further video review, those points have been restored.  As a result, this weekend's back-to-back winner moves into the Championship lead with 267 points.  Wyatt Gooden, who came to Road America leading the point standings, drops to second place with 246 points and Series veteran, Jake Thompson, is right behind him with 242. Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle, who made up some serious ground with his performance today, stays with the leaders after earning a fifth-place finish this morning and sits in fourth place (234 points), while JD Mobley rounds out the top-five with 223 points.  The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup heads to Puebla, Mexico for another double-race weekend on September 25 & 26, so it's anyone's guess which one of these up-and-coming drivers will come away with their first Series Championship.

During today's event at Road America, one guest driver, Cooper MacNeil, a SCCA Nationally Licensed Touring 2 driver, joined the 25 drivers of the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup. MacNeil began his racing career just months after his 16th birthday in September 2008 by attending a Bob Bondurant racing school and he's only picking up speed.  In just two years as a professional driver, he has participated in 45 races in a number of series including SCCA, NASA, Grand-Am and German VLN.  During today's event, MacNeil started 21st and finished 17th in today's race.  MacNeil also participated in yesterday's race where he started 14th and finished 21st.

"I had a much better start today," MacNeil said.  "The Jetta TDI Cup car really handled great throughout the entire race.  The car stops well and there's lot of grip – those Pirelli slicks are fantastic.  I think this is a great Series, as it provides solid experience for these drivers.  Plus, with the cars being equally prepared you definitely have a good idea of where you stand in the field.  I had a wonderful time this weekend and I'm happy I got to be a part of it."

Follow the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Series action on:

www.vwmotorsportusa.com

Volkswagen Online Newsroom: media.vw.com  

Live Timing & Scoring: http://livetiming.net/scca/VW

Live Timing & Scoring for your Mobile Device: http://livetiming.net/SCCA/VW/html.asp

Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/JettaTDICup

Twitter: http://twitter.com/VWJettaTDICup

About the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup

The SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup was launched in 2008 as way to introduce clean diesel technology to the U.S. market and develop the best of motorsport's up-and-coming talent. During the season, young, up and coming drivers (between ages 16-26) compete on road courses around North America in identical factory-prepared clean diesel powered Jetta TDI's. Each driver competing in the Series earns a professional racing license from SCCA Pro Racing at the conclusion of the season. In addition to more than $50,000 in prize money at stake during the season, the Series Champion receives Volkswagen factory career advancement support with a value up to $100,000.

The Jetta TDI Cup car is powered by a 2.0-liter, 170 hp, four-cylinder TDI clean diesel engine mated to a six-speed, double-clutch, automatic DSG transmission. The car is only slightly modified from stock with Pirelli racing tires, an on-board Race Data system, race suspension and brake components, drivers racing safety seat, FIA roll cage and an on-board fire extinguisher system.  Series sponsors include: Pirelli, Bosch, ViON, Castrol, Oakley, Red Bull, Staubli, Aggreko, defNder, Lamin-X, Volkswagen Driver Gear, Volkswagen Parts & Service, iRacing, Safety-Kleen and Ringer Gloves.

About Volkswagen of America

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. 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 Golf, GTI, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Eos, Passat, Passat Wagon, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2010 Volkswagens come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program. This is important because the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.

About SCCA Pro Racing:

A wholly owned subsidiary of Sports Car Club of America, Inc., SCCA Pro Racing Inc. is a leading sanctioning body for motorsports events in the United States. A member of the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States (ACCUS), SCCA Pro Racing operates and sanctions the World Challenge Championships, the SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup, SCCA Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, SCCA Pro Trans-Am Series, Spec Racer Ford Pro Series and Formula Enterprises Pro Series. For more information, please visit www.sccapro.com.

SOURCE Volkswagen of America, Inc.