Kia Racing Defends Its Street Tuner Points Lead as the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Heads to New Jersey Motorsports Park

IRVINE, Calif., May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Racing's GRAND-AM motorsports program is firing on all cylinders after recording three-straight top-five finishes to start the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (CTSCC) season and currently leads the Street Tuner (ST) points as the schedule turns to New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) this weekend.  Round four at NJMP in Millville, N.J., could prove historic for Kia Racing and Andy Lally as he attempts to notch his 100^th career GRAND-AM podium finish from behind the wheel of the No. 10 Infinity Audio Forte Koup.  

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120509/LA03752)

"We narrowly missed the podium at the Kia 200 last month, but I am happy we finished fourth and were able to take over the ST points lead heading into the middle of the race season," said Lally.  "I'm confident that with all the hard work and preparation from the Kia Racing team and Kinetic Motorsports the 100^th podium will happen at some point, but I am more interested in the overall goal of the season, which is to defend the Driver and Team ST championship for Kia Racing and Kinetic."

The co-driving brothers Mark and Mathew Pombo look to keep their own momentum going after capturing the first-ever pole position for the No. 12 Infinity Audio Forte Koup at the Kia 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in April. The Kia 200 also marked Mathew Pombo's first career GRAND-AM pole.  The No. 12 machine ran strong at Homestead, spending most of the day near the front of the field before contact with another car took it out of contention for the win.

"After a top-ten finish at Barber Motorsports Park and our pole position in Homestead, we are really beginning to find our rhythm with the No. 12 Forte Koup," said Mathew Pombo.  "I'm excited to see the No. 10 car leading the points after three races.  We believe we have the best team and equipment in the paddock.  Now it's our job to get the No. 12 car up front."

The Kia Racing B-Spec Rio 5-door will also join the Koups in Millville, as the Sportsman Showcase gets back on track for round two.  Russell Smith, co-owner of Kinetic Motorsports, will be piloting the No. 90 Rio 5-door when the green flag drops Sunday, May 13.

The B+ Heroes 200 presented by BCKSTGR at New Jersey Motorsports Park starts Saturday, May 12 at 3:15 p.m. ET.  The B-Spec Sportsman Showcase race starts Sunday, May 13 at 11:15 a.m. ET.  Kia Racing fans can check out live race status, photos and videos at www.facebook.com/kiaracing.  Race fans can watch the B+ Heroes 200 on Saturday, May 26 at 2:00 p.m. ET, when televised coverage begins on SPEED.  With the launch of GRAND-AM TV, race fans can watch any Rolex or CTSCC race 72 hours after the SPEED broadcast at GRAND-AM.com.

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA and LPGA.  In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S.  Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

SOURCE Kia Motors America