“Busy” Puerto Rican driver likes challenge of historic track”
Nashville, TN (July 14, 2010) …
Originally, the Sunoco National Tour was scheduled to race at Salem,
Indiana. However, the race was rescheduled for the historic Wisconsin
State Fair Park in West Allis, Wisconsin as part of a doubleheader with
the ASA Late Model Series.
The Milwaukee Mile is the oldest, continually operating motor speedway
in the country with races dating back to 1903. The 1.032-mile track
ranks as one of America’s premiere auto racing venues with some of the
biggest names in racing competing on the historic track. The Milwaukee
Mile was a dirt track until 1953, and was paved in 1954. Famous drivers
who have challenged The Milwaukee Mile include Foyt, Unser, Allison,
Andretti, Earnhardt, Waltrip, Rahal, Kulwicki, Gordon, Dixon, Wallace,
and Castroneves among many others.
Even though Bryan Ortiz and his BD Racing with Sterling Marlin Team
have never seen The Milwaukee Mile in person, the young Puerto Rican
believes that he will have an advantage this weekend.
“I’ve used my computer to race at The Milwaukee Mile for hours and
hours,” Ortiz stated. “Since I’ve never been to Wisconsin or raced at
The Milwaukee Mile, it’s the only way that I could learn the track and
how to drive it. My background is in sports car road racing, so I think
that will help me this week. The Milwaukee Mile is basically flat like
most road courses I’ve raced. Most of my competitors grew up racing on
banked paved tracks, so I believe that my experience on flat tracks
will work in my favor.”
Ortiz enters the Milwaukee 100 in second place in the Sunoco National
Tour overall points, trailing leader Brent Downey by only five points
(360-355). Ortiz leads Joey Gase by 16 (355-339) in the SNT rookie
standings after two completed events.
“I’m really anxious to get back aboard my Chevrolet Camaro and race,”
Ortiz added. “With all the rain, it’s been a while since I’ve got to
race a complete race. This whole year, the team has done an amazing job
of setting up my Camaro and getting me comfortable for each new track.
I know this weekend will be no different. Many famous drivers have won
at The Milwaukee Mile in all forms of racing. I’d love to add my name
to that impressive list.”
Even though Ortiz hasn’t been racing in actual on-track competition,
he’s been a very busy young man. He has spent several days in the
Charlotte and Mooresville, North Carolina area recently talking with
industry professionals about his motorsports career. Now, Ortiz takes
the next step in his promising career this weekend at The Milwaukee
Mile.
- BD Racing with Sterling Marlin Press Release