For immediate release:
April 25-27, 2003 – Danville, Virginia – D’Agostino scores his first top five finish in the Formula Dodge National Championship
Joe D’Agostino competed in the second and third rounds of the Formula Dodge National Championship this past weekend at Virginia International Raceway using the 3.27-mile course. The weather reeked havoc for the drivers this weekend as rain came and went and came back again.
With the two race format drivers have only one qualifying for each race. D’Agostino qualified thirteenth for Saturday’s race and twelfth for Sunday’s race.
Saturday's race proved to be very exciting as drivers’ battled nose to tail for eleven laps. Passing was difficult as drivers defended their positions on the long 3.27-mile track. D’Agostino was able to make a solid drive and finish eighth.
Sunday’s race was just as exciting as drivers changed positions all through the field. D’Agostino took what he learned from Saturday and applied it to Sunday’s race and improved his finish getting his first top five result after three starts.
D'Agostino made the most of the passing zones after the two long straights with a steady march toward the front after starting from twelfth. "I learned a lot this weekend," said D'Agostino. "I had to race really hard today since I made some mistakes in qualifying and started so far back. The race was really exciting, though, as everyone gave each other exactly the right amount of racing room on this track, which is really a blast to drive."
”My goals for the next race are to podium,” said D’Agostino. “My confidence and maturity are growing with each race”.
With two solid performances this weekend, D’Agostino moves from 9th to 6th in the Championship standings.
Joe wishes to thank all of his sponsors, Arai, Corsa, Kart Mini, Dodge, Michelin, Skip Barber Racing School and all of his personal sponsors.
