Posted (07/05/2012) -
Every kid who grows up wanting to be a driver, at some time or another, dreams of driving at Indianapolis. For Team Sahlen’s drivers Dane Cameron, Joe Nonnamaker, Wayne Nonnamaker & Will Nonnamaker this dream become a reality this weekend.
Dane Cameron enthused his feelings – “I think everyone in the paddock is looking forward to taking their first laps at Indy this week, myself included. It's a place I never thought I would get to race at so I'm excited to take my first laps at such a historic circuit. I think Grand-Am will put on a great show as there looks to be some good passing zones.”
Sharing the #42 Mazda will be Dane’s teammate Wayne Nonnamaker, “I am so excited to be driving at Indianapolis. The course we will be driving is the exact same one used by Formula One. Hopefully we learn a lot from the Test that will assist when we come back in few weeks for the race.”
Driving the #43 Team Sahlen RX-8 will be Joe Nonnamaker and Will Nonnamaker. For Will, this will be his 2nd ever visit inside the fabled Brickyard. “I remember attending the 1988 Indy 500 race with my Dad. We sat in the grandstands across from the pits. That Summer was as hot as this one has been. And with 100,000++ Fans packed in to the stands, it made it even hotter. You couldn’t drink enough water, and the crowd were so excited, they stood almost the entire race. The race ended under caution, with Rick Mears winning the 3rd of his 4 victories.”
For Joe Nonnamaker his memories down Brickyard lane go a bit further back. – “I remember growing up in western Ohio in Findlay, Ohio, and the Indianapolis 500 was the center of everyones attention in the Midwest. I would go to the races in the mid 60’s with my brother Jim. Back then there were Offy Roadsters and the rear engine cars were just starting to make an appearance. This is what caught the racing bug for me, and now here I am over 40 years later racing, and getting to drive at Indianapolis. This is truly a remarkable full circle journey for me.”
The Official Grand American ROLEX test will be occurring on July 6th and 7th at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Team Sahlen’s #42 has risen up to 6th place in the GT Team Championship Standings. Additionally, the #43 has creeped closer to the elusive Top 10 in the standings, up to 13th.
The 2012 Team Sahlen campaign in the
GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series is supported by:
Mazda, Mazdaspeed, SimXperience, Alcon, Racetech, NGK, Cool Shirt, Racing Print Media, Mothers Polish, TheRaceSite.com, Western New York Flash, Grassroots Motorsports, ASC Industries, Iannetti Design Ideas, CM Racing, Quarter Master, BBS Wheels, MSI Racing Products, Endurance Karting and Akron Aeros
