Pacific Coast Motorsports gave Atlantic standout Carl Skerlong his first taste of the 750-hp Champ Car yesterday at Buttonwillow Raceway in central California. Skerlong completed 107 trouble-free miles on the 1.86-mile permanent road course.
Skerlong, 19 of Seattle, Washington earned two podium finishes in his rookie season of Atlantic competition. His talents caught the eye of PCM team director Tyler Tadevic, and Skerlong was named to the PCM Jr Team, a program which recognizes and develops future open-wheel stars. “Carl did an outstanding job in his first outing in the PCM Champ Car,” commented team director Tyler Tadevic. “His speed improved progressively throughout the day, and his feedback and ability to adapt not only to the extra horsepower but also to all of the additional features and functions of the Champ Car were impressive. Carl proved that he will certainly be ready to step up to big leagues in 2009 and I am sure he will fight for the 2008 Atlantic title with the King Taco car.”
Skerlong finished in the top-ten in his rookie season of Atlantic competition racing for Shane Senevirante’s US RaceTronics Atlantic team; he recently re-signed with the California-based squad for the 2008 Atlantic season. Skerlong has set his focus firmly on the 2008 Atlantic title with the hopes of moving up to Champ Car competition in 2009, “I can’t thank the Pacific Coast Motorsports and US RaceTronics organizations enough for this opportunity,” said Skerlong. “I learned so much about the DP-01 and how to properly test a Champ Car. To get this opportunity at this stage in my career will be key to my progression as a driver; my testing experience just went up to a whole new level. I really do have a new found appreciation of Champ Car drivers and the levels they need to compete at. All in all, the test went very well, we ran 58 laps and I’m thankful for each one.”
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