2004 Series Champions, Pacific Coast Motorsports Return to Atlantic Competition

Pacific Coast Motorsports, a two-car team in the Champ Car World Series announced tonight that they will expand their racing team with a two-car entry in the Cooper Tires Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Series Powered by Mazda. PCM also announced their all-American driver line-up, Carl Skerlong and Frankie Muniz.

Pacific Coast Motorsports Champ Car driver Alex Figge acquired the Bakersfield-based US RaceTronics Atlantic team. The team will be based at PCM’s Oxnard, California headquarters and will compete under the Pacific Coast Motorsports banner. Former US RaceTronics team owner, Shane Seneviratne will manage the Atlantic program.

PCM team director Tyler Tadevic made the announcement under the famous Hard Rock guitar at a media event at the Hard Rock Cafe at Universal Studios tonight in Hollywood. Attended by a large contingent of entertainment and sports media, Tadevic commented on the team’s desire to return to their racing roots, "We’re really proud to be returning to the series where we won the 2004 championship, and we are looking forward to continuing our winning tradition.

As a graduate of the series, Alex is a believer of the product; this is an important program to him. Shane has a history of running championship winning teams and we saw this as a terrific opportunity to return to Atlantic competition." Tadevic continued, "We feel we’ve got two exceptional young drivers on board. They’re both quick and very professional, we’ve got an exciting season ahead of us.".

Carl Skerlong, 19 of Mukilteo, Washington will drive the #28 King Taco/Mazda/Swift. Skerlong made an impressive debut in the Atlantic series in 2007 with two podium finishes and a top-ten finish in the series championship. Skerlong will be paired with two-time Atlantic championship winning (2003, 2004) race engineer Burke Harrison, "I am so excited about this opportunity.

I am really happy to be able to continue my relationship with Shane, but grateful for the tools and resources racing for Pacific Coast Motorsports will offer. I have one goal this year, and that is to win the Atlantic series title and the $2 million prize in the #28 King Taco car."
 

Frankie Muniz, 22 of Los Angeles will drive the #29 PCM/Mazda/Swift in his sophomore season of Atlantic competition. Most people will recognize Frankie as an Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor, but 2008 will mark his third season as a professional racecar driver. "Joining PCM is a huge step forward for me in my racing career," said Muniz.

"In the three tests I have already completed, I have learned so much and really developed my skills as a racing driver. Tim Lewis, my race engineer has a championship winning record behind him and we have gelled really well. I just can’t wait for the season to start in April at the Long Beach Grand Prix and I am thrilled to represent a professional racing team like Pacific Coast Motorsports."
 

The Cooper Tires Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Series Powered by Mazda features a 12-race championship throughout North America, with races on road courses and street circuits in major metropolitan markets.

Known as one of the most challenging racing championships featuring many of the world’s most promising young drivers, the Atlantic series rewards its champion with a $2 million purse to further their career in the Champ Car World Series, North America’s premier open-wheel racing series. Round One of the 2008 Champ Car Atlantic Series kicks off with the 34th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 18, 19 and 20th.

For more information, please visit www.champcaratlantic.com , www.frankiemunizracing , www.cskerlong.com  or www.pcmracing.com.

About Pacific Coast Motorsports: Formed in 2002 and based in Oxnard, California, Pacific Coast Motorsports are champions on the track and in the marketplace. The 2004 Toyota Atlantic Champions have competed in a diverse array of motorsports challenges, from open wheel to sports car racing and succeeded in every discipline. In 2007 the challenge came full circle as PCM made their debut with a successful two-car effort in the highest level of open wheel motorsports in the United States, The Champ Car World Series.

Off the track, PCM has represented some of the countries most recognizable names, from Imperial Capital Bank to Menards, TECATE and Vonage to Uniden establishing successful, high-profile marketing platforms that deliver meaningful exposure and a quantifiable return on investment. PCM is dedicated to success in the Champ Car World Series and committed to go beyond the traditional means to deliver value and exceed the expectations of our partners. Follow our Champ Car season at www.PCMracing.com.

- Katie Brannan, PCM - also photos