2008 Dallara Alliance Motorsports IndyLights

First Podium Finish for Alliance Caps off Wild Weekend at Mid-Ohio

There is little doubt that the events held at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio will be remembered for anything less than eventful, as the double-header weekend generated some fantastic racing, and memorable finishes. In the eyes of the Alliance Motorsports team, the weekend will be remembered for its first podium finish as an organization, and realizing the contributions of everyone involved with the program paying off.

Alliance Motorsports officials announced earlier in the week that it had rendered the services of former Firestone Indy Lights Series Champion Wade Cunningham to drive the #24 Dallara for the double-header weekend, and that decision proved to be a correct one. The 2005 series champ took to the track on Friday, and spent the time getting comfortable with the car as well as the crew. It didn't take long for Cunningham to reach his comfort level, as he was firmly in the top ten in practice, and then spent time preparing for qualifying and race number one on Saturday.

The result of the thirty minute qualifying session on Saturday garnered a 7th place starting position, with Cunningham posting a time of 1:14:1451 (109.634 mph), which was nearly a second quicker than his best practice time. Later that day, race number one began with an incident on lap number one, as Daniel Harrington, driver of the #6 Michael Crawford Motorsports car, made contact with Cunningham in turn six, sending Cunningham spinning off the track, and to the back of the field. With a bent wheel and minor bodywork damage, Cunningham fought his way back to post a 12th place finish, and a 12th place starting position for Sunday's race number two.

Sunday's race number two ran in significant wet conditions, as massive storms rolled through the area. At the start of the race, Cunningham spun the car in the wet, and was able to continue, albeit from the back of the pack, reminiscent to the start of race number one. Cunningham methodically improved his position throughout the race, and found himself in the 8th position by lap number ten. At the end of the timed event, Wade Cunningham brought the Alliance Motorsports #24 Dallara to the checkered flag in 2nd place. This the first podium finish for the first-year team and best finishing position since Chris Festa placed 5th at Homestead in the season opener.

'We are very happy with a podium finish, and owe thanks to a lot of people that helped make this happen,' exclaimed team co-owner Jeff Matthews. 'We owe a huge ‘thank you' to Wade Cunningham, who drove for us this weekend, and who drove two outstanding races this weekend.' Matthews went on to say, 'This was a total team effort, and everyone on our Alliance team, as well as our partners with Integra Motorsports, are a part of today's success.'

Source - Alliance Motorsports

Former Series Champion Pilots Alliance Entry at Mid-Ohio

Alliance Motorsports is extremely pleased to announce that Wade Cunningham, the 2005 firestone Indy Lights Series champion, will be piloting the Alliance Motorsports #24 Dallara at this weekends' double-header event at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Cunningham, hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, has accumulated an impressive five wins, seven poles, and thirty-five top ten finishes in his forty-four starts in the series. Cunningham finished in second place in last years' inaugural event at Mid-Ohio driving for AFS Racing. He has competed in four events in the 2008 championship with Brian Stewart Racing, and has accumulated three top ten finishes, with a season best third place finish at the Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Tyce Carlson, one of the owners of Alliance Motorsports, expressed his excitement leading into the weekend. 'We are very fortunate to have Wade drive for us this weekend, and are excited to reunite him with Doug Zister, who is our engineer, and who was a part of Wade's previous successes in this series.' Carlson went on to say, 'We hope that this combination will yield positive results, and look forward to taking to the track on Friday.'

Practice for the double header event begins Friday, July 18th, with qualifying and race number one on Saturday, July 19th. Race number two will roll off on Sunday, July 20th.

Source - Alliance Motorsports

Alliance Motorsports Forms Indy Pro Series Team

Three Indianapolis-area businessmen have joined together to form a new Indy Pro Series team, which will compete beginning this season.

Alliance Motorsports, whose ownership includes IndyCar Series veteran Tyce Carlson, purchased the assets of Kenn Hardley Racing in December, and is preparing for its first season in the IndyCar Series' developmental series.

'I am looking forward to competing again, especially in this (ownership) capacity,' said Carlson, who made 30 career IndyCar Series starts, including two Indianapolis 500s. 'I truly enjoy helping young drivers, and I am excited for the opportunity.'

Joining Carlson as co-owners are Carmel, Ind., businessman Chris Williams and auto racing veteran Jeff Matthews. The team will be located in Brownsburg, Ind., and is interviewing drivers to drive its No. 24 Dallara.

'When Tyce approached me about the idea of starting the team, it didn't take long for me to decide,' Williams §äid. 'The Indy Pro Series is showing steady growth in terms of participation and fan interest, and is providing some fantastic racing. This is certainly something that I want to be a part of.'

Matthews has been involved in professional auto racing since 1998, working in various management positions with IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series teams.

Source - paddocktalk.com