For Immediate Release 03-20-2006

Contact: Brian Mackey
Mackey Marketing Group
770/423-9593 phone
MMGATL@msn.com  Email

CASEY NEAL'S STAR MAZDA SEBRING DEBUT

Sebring, FL:  Casey Neal's debut in Star Mazda was a quick one, in more ways
than one.  The 2005 Red Bull Driver Search World Finalist showed why he has
attracted so much attention in such a short period of time with an
impressive, albeit short, showing at Sebring International Raceway at the
opening round of the Star Mazda Championship Presented by Goodyear race on
March 17.  Neal qualified 4th on the starting grid with a time of 2:01.377
while his second fastest lap was 2:01.467, a faster 2nd best lap time than
those posted by the top 3 drivers on the grid.  In fact, Neal's 2nd fastest
lap was the fastest of all 2nd fastest laps, showing a consistency in speed
that was sure to help him in the race.

But at the green flag, Neal fell victim to a first turn incident that sent
him off the track and out of the race.   Neal took the green flag in his
Drive4USA/Elf Racing Lubricants sponsored John Walko Racing entry with a
strong start and was attempting to pass polesitter Brad Jaeger, when he hit
the rev-limiter and decided to tuck in behind Jaeger entering turn one.  At
this juncture, another competitor touched wheels with Neal damaging Neal's
right-front suspension and disabling the steering resulting in Neal going
off the track at turn one and ending his race early.

"It was a major disappointment," said Neal.  "The car was superb and I was
really looking forward to a competitive race.  The team that John Walko put
together was superb.  Walko's crew provided me with a car that was flawless
and both engineer Bruce Croker and mechanic (2005 Star Mazda
Mechanic-of-the-Year) Caleb Stream helped me immensely in my transition to
Star Mazda racing.  I was sorely disappointed to sit on the pit wall in my
debut race of the Star Mazda Series."

Neal has caught the attention of numerous veteran industry sponsors of
up-and-coming driver talent.  Most notably, he was one to two Americans
selected as 2005 Red Bull Driver's Search World Finalists.  Then, at
Sebring, the veteran driver development initiative, Drive4USA added their
support of Neal.  It marks the first time that both the Red Bull Driver
Search Finalists and the Drive4USA Driver Development initiative have added
their support for the same driver.  In addition, Elf Racing Lubricants, with
their strong history of support for up-and-coming drivers is a  long-time
sponsor of Neal.  Elf Lubricant's Laurent Siret first noticed Neal's talent
as a sponsor of Casey Neal during his impressive karting career.

Casey Neal will next compete at the Houston round of the Star Mazda Series
on May 13-14 as part of the Champ Car Series event schedule.

For additional information on Casey Neal visit
www.caseynealracing.com.




Brian Mackey,
Mackey Marketing Group, Inc.
770/423-9593 voice

Join our mailing list for free updates and information. Sign up at our
website:
http://www.mackeymarketing.com/experienced.htm

 


All Copyrights Reserved 2003/2004/2005/2006 Casey Neal Racing