Golinello Earns Rookie Honors in Ford Racing Mustang Challenge at Homestead

March 09, 2010

HOMESTEAD, Fla.—Richard Golinello made his professional racing debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway last weekend, driving the No. 50 R&C Motorsports Mustang FR500S in the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge double-header. Golinello overcame a rocky start to walk away with a sixth-place finish and a Sunday Group Management “Rookie of the Race” Award.
 
Race one was held on Saturday, and in the opening laps Golinello worked his way up from ninth to fifth. Unfortunately, disaster struck just fifteen minutes into the race, when Golinello’s Mustang made contact with the wall in turn one.

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Von Kluge Wins Ford Racing Mustang Challenge as Winkler and Aweida Stage Battle for Homestead Podium

March 07, 2010

HOMESTEAD, Fla., 7 March – Everyone loves getting a new set of tires, but after this weekend, probably no one more than Ann Arbor, Michigan’s Jason von Kluge, who used the new-specification BFGoodrich g-Force R1 tire to excellent effect as he scored two convincing Ford Racing Mustang Challenge race victories at Homestead Miami Speedway to open the 2010 championship in strong style.

Von Kluge was joined on the podium by pole-sitter Pratt Cole, with George Winkler emerging from a thrilling race with Dan Aweida to take third.

“I definitely had to be patient, to get up there, get by Tony (Buffomante)  and then Pratt was running really well so I just took my time and reeled him in and used the draft through the banking and it worked out,” said von Kluge. “I needed this. It was a lot of fun! Pratt is a great driver, and he shares the race track well. He’s a good guy and this was a great weekend!”

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von Kluge Hangs Tough to Grab First Win in Ford Racing Mustang Challenge

March 06, 2010

HOMESTEAD, Fla., 6 March – It could have been a runaway win, but instead it turned into a nail-biter.  Jason von Kluge of Ann Arbor, Michigan led from the pole in today’s opening race of the 2010 Ford Racing Mustang Challenge at Homestead Miami Speedway to open a five-second margin over the field.  However, he would have to battle hard in the end to earn his first race win over a hard charging Tony Buffomante.  Dan Aweida finished in third.

“I’m really happy—I wanted to get a good gap at the start and I was able to build up a lead, so that yellow flag was the last thing I wanted to see!” said von Kluge after stepping from the car in victory circle.  “He (Buffomante) got by me on the restart, but we had a good close race with Tony and I was glad I was able to get back by him for the win. I’m so excited to be up here today, and hopefully I can do this again tomorrow!“

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von Kluge on Pole in Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Race 1 at Miami Grand Prix

March 06, 2010

HOMESTEAD, Fla., 6 March – Jason von Kluge of Ann Arbor, Mich. driving the No.19 JVK Motorsports Ford Mustang FR500S will lead the field into turn 1 in the opening round of Ford Racing Mustang Challenge at Homestead Miami Speedway.  Alongside is Frederick, Maryland’s George Winkler in the No. 12 Winkler Racing Mustang, with Pratt Cole of Salt Lake City, Utah in the No. 88 RP Motorsports entry rounding out the Top-3.

Drawing on the experience of his first Mustang Challenge season in 2009, von Kluge, 30, opened the 2010 account with a strong qualifying performance.  By taking full advantage of the crisp morning air and a fresh set of BF Goodrich tires, he was the only driver to dip into the 1:28 sec bracket around speedway’s 2.3 mile combination oval-road course.  Officially, von Kluge stopped the clocks at 1:28.676 seconds, nine minutes into the 20-minute qualifying session.  Knowing that he had gotten the most he could from the tire’s “golden” lap, von Kluge parked his Mustang in pit lane and waited to see if anyone would better his time.

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