February 9, 2008 – Cat Iron Racing and Bret Guzik will start their 2008 season at Lake Erie Speedway running four NASCAR Whelen All-American Series late model races in May and June. The team announced plans to race in the track's opener on May 24th, followed by races on June 7th, 21st, and 28th. The team expects to run 12 to 15 races in 2008 at Lake Erie Speedway and several other northeast short tracks. To get ready for the upcoming season, the team recently traveled to Hickory Speedway in North Carolina where Guzik turned his first laps in the team's Monte Carlo SS.
Veteran NASCAR spotter, Mike Calinoff, who will spot this season for Dario Franchitti, took time out of his busy schedule to oversee Bret's test session and coach the young driver through his first laps in the full-sized late model. Calinoff commented on Bret's first day of testing, "Bret did an awesome job. Many drivers who come off dirt have a tendency to overdrive the car when they first move to pavement. Bret showed a lot of poise during the test. He ran a smooth and consistent line all day, didn't overdrive the car, listened very well on the radio, and improved his times with each lap. At this point, he just needs to get some more seat time to be running up front in the late model division." The Cat Iron Racing team plans to get their young driver that much needed seat time during another 2-day test session at Hickory Speedway just before Easter. Guzik will continue his transition to asphalt late models at Lake Erie Speedway's rookie school on May 3rd.
The Cat Iron Racing Team kicks off its 2008 season later this month with appearances at Motorama 2008 and the Reading Racing Reunion & Car Show. Fans can check out the #04 Cat Iron Monte Carlo SS, meet their driver, and pick up some information about Race Against Drugs, a national non-profit organization aimed at promoting drug prevention through motorsports. Children Age 14 and under can also enter the Race Against Drugs "Stay on Track" Line Art and Essay Contest.
For more information, including photos from the team's recent testing at Hickory, race fans are invited to log on to www.bretguzikmotorsports.com
Here are the current national points standing for NHRA:
Here are the current divisional points standing for NHRA:
