First Win from Pole for TDI Cup Race in Iowa

NEWTON, Iowa (Sept. 24, 2008) – Jimmy Underhill led all 33 laps after starting from pole at the fifth race of the 2008 SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series race held at Iowa Speedway. While Underhill strengthened his lead to almost six car-lengths at one point, there was a lot of action in the back of the pack as the other drivers battled it out for position. The fight for second through fourth position was intense between Chris Castagna, Michael DeNino and Mark Pombo. Pombo ended the race strong with the fastest lap time of 52.165 averaging 89.175 mph.

Iowa Speedway provided the first modified oval course for the Jetta TDI Cup drivers. Turning onto the infield course from Turn Four brought the field tightly together as they were forced into single file to make the turns. By lap two, the field spread out with the drivers successfully navigating the transition from oval to road course.

One of the biggest movers in the race was DeNino, who started the race in 12th position and managed to move up through the field of drivers. By lap five DeNino was battling it out with Castagna and Pombo for second position. DeNino ended the race in third place. Another big mover of the race was Jake Dallenbach, who started the race in 22nd, but moved up 10 spots during the race to finish in 12th.

Lap 11 brought out a full-course caution as Nick Mancuso and Timmy Megenbier collided in the infield road course on turn five causing the next three laps to run under caution. Mancuso and Megenbier both suffered minor damage to their cars, but were able to rejoin the race, losing only one lap a piece. Ultimately Mancuso and Megenbier were unable to make up the deficit and finished in 28th and 29th place, respectively.

Near the end of the race there was a battle between the top three drivers as each tried to secure the top position. On lap 25, DeNino held the pressure on the Underhill, trying to pass on the infield road course, but Underhill was able to hold him off through the turns on the oval course. On lap 31, in turn two, Pombo secured his second place finish by passing DeNino, taking him on the inside line.

In the end as the checkered flag dropped, Underhill became the first pole position driver to win the race and also the first driver to lead every lap of a TDI Cup race.

Complete Jetta TDI Cup final race results are listed below with finishing position, starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown, car sponsor and laps completed.
1. (1), Jimmy Underhill, Denver, Colo., Bosch, 33
2. (8), Mark Pombo, Duluth, Ga., ful®, 33, -.268
3. (12), Michael DeNino, Gaithersburg, Md., Castrol, 33, -1.166
4. (7), Caleb Kenney, Berkeley, Calif., Hoopla, 33, -4.305
5. (2), Chris Castagna, Boston, Mass., Oakely, 33, -4.803
6. (9), Chris Kuenning(R), Grand Rapids, Mich., Aggreko , -8.049
7. (4), Josh Hurley(R), Cooper City, Fla., Athlete’s Performance , 33, -8.145
8. (3), Juan Pablo SierraLendle, Puebla, MX, Aggreko , 33, -8.424
9. (13), Liam Kenney, Sterling, Va., ViON, , 33, -9.000
10. (20), Chris Holman, Burlington, Ontario, UTI , 33, -9.324
11. (15), Andy Lee, Colorado Springs, Colo., Kyosho , 33, -9.591
12. (22), Jake Dallenbach, San Antonio, Texas, Select 1, 33, -10.105
13. (16), Andrew Cordeiro(R), Woodbridge Ont, Canada, Castrol, 33, -10.755
14. (14), Gary Williams_Jr., Dana Point, Calif., Bondurant, 33, -11.433
15. (11), David Jurca, Federal Way, Wash., Red Bull, 33, -11.949
16. (10), Taylor Broekemeier(R), Fort Collins, Colo., Oakley, 33, -12.851
17. (19), Wyatt Dallenbach, San Antonio, Texas, SCORE, 33, -13.414
18. (17), Evan Pflock(R), Redondo Beach, Calif., DC United, 33, -13.933
19. (18), Derek Jones, Philadelphia, Pa., Bosch, 33, -14.971
20. (23), Chad Brassfield(R), Phoenix, Ariz., Kyosho, 33, -15.253
21. (26), Adam Love(R), Normal, Ill., SCORE, 33, -24.674
22. (25), David Heinz(R), Pittsburgh, Pa., Pre Loved, 33, -26.500
23. (21), David Richert(R), Niverville MB, Canada, ViON, 33, -27.077
24. (29), Adam Kretschmer(R), Brampton, Ontario, VW Credit, 33, -27.563
25. (24), Adam Crepin(R), St. Louis, Mo., SCCA, 33, -27.989
26. (28), Ryan Buetzer, Long Beach, Calif., Hoopla, 33, -30.272
27. (27), Noah Arundel, Tonka Bay, Minn., VW P&A, 33, -34.794
28. (6), Nick Mancuso, Mettawa, Ill., Auto Logistics, 32, -1 lap
29. (5), Timmy Megenbier, Melrose Park, Ill., SCCA, 32, -1 lap