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EXCITEMENT FILLS THE GARAGE AS PAST WINNER
J.P. MORGAN RETURNS TO IOWA
CONCORD, N.C. (July 19, 2010)- There is
plenty of buzz and excitement around J.P.
Morgan’s garage these days. And it can be
summed up in two words: Iowa Speedway.
Morgan and the No. 23 team are eager to hit
the track for the July 30, USARacing Pro Cup
Series event. He is the defending race
winner, capturing the 2009 race by 1.341
seconds over second-place finisher Drew
Herring and says competing at the 0.875-mile
speedway is on another level from the other
tracks in the series.
“It feels awesome,” said Morgan about
returning to Iowa, “I’m excited and the team
is.”
For Morgan, the most exciting part about
racing at Iowa is the high speeds the track
carries.
“That track is about the perfect size,”
Morgan said. “It’s not so big that on the
straight-aways you’re resting. Every time
you can go fast, that’s what it’s about. The
garage is awesome and everyone treats you
great. Fans come out in droves and that
makes everything special.”
Morgan likens Iowa to Richmond International
Raceway (RIR) but insists the banking and
size of Iowa make it better.
To prepare for the 150-lap event, Morgan
watches old race footage and pours through
his race notes from last year. He wants to
be aware of every detail that occurred.
“It’s a team effort,” said Morgan. “One guy
can’t do it. It saves time to get us to our
ultimate goal”.
Most teams entered in the Iowa event will
arrive at the track one day early for an
all-important test session. Morgan and the
No. 23 team plan to be on hand for the extra
track time.
-more-
“You have to stay on top of it,” Morgan
said. “Testing gives you the opportunity to
know what’s happening right now. The asphalt
on the track changes every year.
The most important thing to remember when
running Iowa is to be consistent and smooth
according to Morgan. Knowing your points
allows you to pick up the throttle and get
off of it at the right times.
“Its important to stay off your brakes as
much as you can and not to use them except
on pit stops,” added Morgan.
At a track as demanding as Iowa, Morgan
knows how important it is “stay up” on the
track because it has a tendency to change
during the day. Tires are also a point of
concern on a track like Iowa.
In 2010 the USARacing Pro Cup Series will
use the current tire, which is different
then what was used at Iowa in 2009. Morgan
said he doesn’t think the current tire will
cause any issues.
“ BFGoodrich gives us great tires every
time,” said Morgan. “My hat’s off to them.
Last year’s tire made the car really free.
This tire makes the car turn by adding
stagger and makes it easier to set the car
up.”
Historically, Iowa Speedway provides a great
experience for USARacing fans and drivers.
Morgan along with the rest of the
competitors will be waiting on the green
flag to drop at 8:00 pm for the 150 laps
around Iowa Speedway on Friday, July 30.
“Its one of our races but on a whole other
level,” said Morgan.
The USAR Pro Cup
Series, formerly Hooters Pro Cup, is owned
by Interstate Investment Group (IIG) and is
based in Concord, N.C. For more information
on USARacing, visit
www.usarprocup.com.
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