Catchfence

“Puerto Rican driver impressive in first stock car event”

Nashville, TN (March 28, 2010) … Bryan Ortiz finished third in the Southern Salute 200 at the New Smyrna Speedway on Saturday night in his Sunoco National Tour debut. It was the first career stock car race for the 21-year old Puerto Rican driver racing for BD Racing with Sterling Marlin and High Performance Motorsports.

Driving the #40 Organization Consulting Group, Inc. & NovaDerm – Dermaesthetic Center entry, Ortiz qualified 11th at the high-banked half-mile Florida track. By lap ten, Ortiz had moved up to seventh and was working his way through the field. Six laps later, the Puerto Rican raced into the top five and was running third at the 100-lap break. The Sunoco National Tour races 100 laps, takes a ten-minute “intermission”, then races the final 100 laps.

During the ten-minute intermission, the BD Racing with Sterling Marlin and High Performance Motorsports crew changed tires and made minor adjustments to the car. On lap 104, Ortiz spun after contact from another competitor but regained control and began driving his way through the field once again. With 50 laps to go, Ortiz reported to the crew that he had “no grip and was loose on exit”. However, the rookie continued his march to the front and was running second with five laps remaining. The 25 car passed Ortiz for second in the final laps as only three cars finished on the lead lap.

“I want to thank Sterling Marlin and the team for the great car they gave me tonight,” Ortiz commented after 200 competitive laps. “My car was much better on long runs and I could drive my way through the field. The change of tires at the halftime break had a definite effect on my car and it wasn’t as good during the second half. However, I’m pleased with my first stock car race and my first race in the Sunoco National Tour.”

“Bryan (Ortiz) did a great job in his first race,” Marlin added. “He showed that he has a good understanding of what it takes to be successful in this Series. This young man has talent.”

With race winner Sean Bass not eligible for championship points, Ortiz stands second in the Sunoco National Tour points and leads the Rookie-of-the-Year standings after his debut event. Three cars in the Southern Salute 200 had the “old” body style and were not eligible for championship points in this event.

The next race for Ortiz and BD Racing with Sterling Marlin and High Performance Motorsports on the 2010 Sunoco National Tour is scheduled for May 14th at the Rockingham Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina.

- High Performance Motorsports Press Release