Let's Go Racing!Genoa to Participate at the Barber Open Test

2009 Season in Review

Dec. 15, 2009, 4:50 am

(by Mark Olson)

The 2009 Firestone Indy Lights™ season definitely had its ups and downs for Genoa. We were competitive everywhere, with:

 

- Fastest lap and new track record at Palm Beach International Raceway during testing

- Fastest lap at Homestead-Miami Speedway during testing

- Fastest lap at Kentucky Speedway during testing

- Fastest lap at Sebring International Raceway during testing

- 1.5 seconds faster than the next closest car in the rain at the St. Petersburg race

- Pole position speed in qualifying and a second-place finish at the Long Beach race

 
Unfortunately, the economy severely impacted driver budgets in 2009, and in June (after an inspirational finish in the Freedom 100 on “Carb Day” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway), Genoa decided to park the team and begin preparing for 2010. It’s an ugly reality that car racing is extremely expensive, and without proper budgets (much of it provided by the driver), the team can burn through an enormous amount of cash. Genoa strategically decided to sit out the remainder of what could’ve been a financially disastrous season in order to preserve its resources for 2010 and beyond.
 
This strategy appears to have paid off, with several veteran drivers and a handful of IndyCar® teams looking at Genoa to be a strong partner in 2010.
 
The weather has gotten cold, the Christmas lights are up, and the off-season testing ban is nearly upon us. Nonetheless, there is a lot of hard work going on at Genoa. Among other opportunities, we’re deep into discussions with several IndyCar® teams to move in-house and to become their official minor league affiliate.
 
Genoa is also looking at some exciting new ideas that will provide very unique and exclusive opportunities for our fans to participate in the day-to-day activities of the team. While we can't talk about the details right now, look for an announcement before Christmas.
  
So stay warm and stay tuned! Merry Christmas to you and yours. Genoa wishes you all the peace, joy, and happiness of the holiday season.