ALTON, VA. (April 27, 2008) In its worldwide debut, the first Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup race was held Sunday at VIRginia International Raceway, with rising star Mark Pombo crossing the finish line after completing 11 laps in the 30-minute sprint race. With a best lap time of 2:15.686 Pombo, 25, from Duluth, GA., raced against 28 other up-and-coming drivers to secure his win in the race. Winning the first race of the Jetta TDI Cup is definitely a highlight of my racing career so far, said Pombo. Its a competitive field of racers, with each of the drivers at the top of their game. I wouldnt have been able to achieve this win without the support of the Volkswagen cup series team and Cates Engineering.We couldnt be more thrilled about our first Jetta TDI Cup race experience, said Stefan Jacoby, president/CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. We had an amazing event in Virginia with Governor Kaine in attendance, Max leading the pack as pace car, and incredibly talented young drivers racing clean diesel cars in whats proving to be a very competitive race series.Complete Jetta TDI Cup race results are listed below with finishing position, starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown and laps completed.1. (4), Mark Pombo, Duluth, Ga., 112. (5), Derek Jones, Philadelphia, Pa., 11, -.4633. (6), Jimmy Underhill, Denver, Colo., 11, -.5324. (7), David Jurca, Federal Way, Wash., 11, -.8315. (20), Gary Williams_Jr., Dana Point, Calif., 11, -1.1716. (2), Caleb Kenney, Berkeley, Calif., -1.6297. (21), Chris Kuenning(R), Grand Rapids, Mich., 11, -2.3818. (11), Chris Castagna, Boston, Mass., 11, -2.5569. (8), Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle, Puebla, MX, 11, -3.26910. (10), Michael DeNino, Gaithersburg, Md., 11, -4.12211. (16), Jake Dallenbach(R), San Antonio, Texas, 11, -4.84612. (24), Adam Kretschmer(R), Brampton, Ontario, 11, -8.48713. (19), Andy Lee, Colorado Springs, Colo., 11, -11.20414. (25), Nick Mancuso, Mettawa, Ill., 11, -11.66315. (26), Andrew Cordeiro, Woodbridge, Ontario, 11, -11.82816. (29), Taylor Broekemeier(R), Fort Collins, Colo., 11, -12.45717. (28), Adam Love(R), Normal, Ill., 11, -14.98618. (17), Wyatt Dallenbach(R), San Antonio, Texas, 11, -15.75119. (23), James Kirkham, Beaverton, Ore., 11, -18.06320. (13), Ryan Buetzer, Long Beach, Calif., 11, -18.19521. (27), David Richert(R), Niverville MB, Canada, 11, -19.37722. (15), John Shim(R), Starkville, Miss., 11, -19.76823. (18), Evan Pflock(R), Rendondo Beach, Calif., 11, -26.94924. (1), Josh Hurley, Cooper City, Fla., 11, -2:11.01125. (22), Chad Brassfield(R), Phoenix, Ariz., 10, -1 lap26. (9), Liam Kenney, Sterling, Va., 9, DNF27. (14), Adam Crepin(R), St. Louis, Mo., 9, DNF28. (12), Chris Holman, Burlington, Ontario, 9, DNF29. (3), Timmy Megenbier, Melrose Park, Ill., 3, DNF All drivers in this innovative race participated using factory prepared and managed 2009 Jetta TDI clean-diesel vehicles powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder TDI engine. The Jetta TDI is lightly modified from spec, featuring race-ready suspension and brakes, and a six-speed double-clutch automatic DSG transmission. Additionally, to highlight its environmental dedication Volkswagen has partnered with Carbonfund.org to certify the entire race series as carbon free. The next race in the series will take place on May 16 18th, at Mosport International Raceway. The Jetta TDI Cup series, the first all clean-diesel race series, is sanctioned by the SCCA Pro Racing, Inc.
