Kia Racing Looks To Expand Its Points Lead As The Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Heads To Watkins Glen For Round Seven

IRVINE, Calif., June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Arguably one of the most beautiful locales in the country, the finger lakes of upstate New York are home to some of the prettiest countryside and charming towns in the state; it's also the backdrop to one of the most well-known and challenging road courses in the world – Watkins Glen International.  Kia Racing returns to "The Glen" this weekend looking to expand its slim one-point lead in the Street Tuner (ST) class as the season is quickly coming to a close with just four races remaining.  Nic Jonsson and Andy Lally, co-pilots of the No. 10 Infinity Audio Forte Koup, are coming off an emotional 13th place finish at Road America last weekend and arrive in New York as the only Kia Racing entry after Mark Pombo's single-car incident in the No. 12 Infinity Audio Forte Koup last weekend in Elkhart Lake, Wisc.

"I want to extend our warmest wishes to our teammate and friend, Mark Pombo, and the entire Pombo family.  Kia Racing and Kinetic Motorsports wish him well in his recovery and we look forward to seeing his smiling face at the track very soon," said Jonsson, who finished on the podium at Le Mans driving for Krohn Racing.  "Now the focus is on Watkins Glen.  Even after a tough race at Road America, Andy and I are still leading in ST, and it's important for us to record a solid finish this weekend.  A great result this weekend will create some momentum heading into the final three races of the season to defend our Driver and Team championships for Kia."

Having a driver with 100-career podium finishes in GRAND-AM behind the wheel is cause for optimism heading into the weekend.  Lally considers Watkins Glen his home track.  He recorded his first professional race victory there in 1995 and has won seven races at the upstate New York track since then, including the Six Hours of The Glen endurance race on three separate occasions.

"The No. 10 Infinity Audio Forte Koup is one of the most consistent racecars I've ever driven and that's important when making a run at a championship," said Lally, who will be on double duty this weekend, also competing in the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen in the Rolex series on Sunday for Magnus Racing.  "We just need to run a smart race and take care of the car.  I have the best co-driver in the world with Nic, and the greatest pit crew in the paddock, so we should be towards the front when the checkered flag waves."

The Continental Tire 150 at Watkins Glen is scheduled for Saturday, June 30.  The green flag drops at 3 p.m. ET.  Check out live race status, photos and updates at www.facebook.com/kiaracing.  Race fans can also tune in for television coverage SPEED Saturday, July 14 at 1 p.m. ET. (Time and date subject to change. Check local listings).

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[1] 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.

[1] Based on 5-year cumulative growth between 12-month retail sales for periods ending April 2007 and April 2012 of all U.S. automotive brands.

SOURCE Kia Motors America