BUSY MONTH OF MARCH FOR TYLER COOKE

"Spec Miata NASA Championship driver competes in three events

 and has successful test session during the month" 

Tyler Cooke started his month off at the SCCA Playboy Cup race in Homestead (Photo: TylerCooke.com)

Charlotte, North Carolina - March 31, 2011 - Spec Miata National Auto Sport Association (NASA) Championship driver Tyler Cooke completed a busy March, as the Long Road Racing driver would see on track action each weekend during the month. The talent, along with his Long Road Racing team, scored five second place finishes and completed a test during the four weekend run.

Starting off the month with the Grand-Am Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Cooke would run a Skip Barber car in the SCCA Playboy Cup Race.  In both practice sessions, Cooke clocked the third quickest time and then improved to second for official qualifying.  Getting shuffled back to fifth on the start, the rising talent worked his way back to second and eventually the lead.  During an intense last lap, Cooke would find himself in second with some work ahead to secure the victory.  A turn three pass saw Cooke back in the lead, only to have the second place competitor with a great run through turn six.  Side by side through the next series of corners and with third place gaining momentum, Cooke caught a great draft and but would come up short in second as all three pilots were within a tenth at the line.

"There was some serious action at the end of that race," stated Cooke after his victory. "I have to thank Tom Long for making some key calls to get me into the position to win."

The following weekend, the Long Road Racing driver traveled to Road Atlanta for the NASA Southern Series.  Cooke and his Long Road Racing Spec Miata would start the event off right as one of the fastest cars in practice.  Using the Saturday practice to learn more about the car and the track, Cooke would pit to review video footage and data with team principal Tom Long to nail the setup for qualifying.  Securing the second fastest time on the charts during qualifications, Cooke would battle in the opening laps of the main for the lead but lose pace with the leader to finish second.  Sunday greeted racers with hot conditions, and Cooke would again qualify his Spec Miata in second.  At the drop of the green, Cooke worked with the leader to pull a gap on the rest of the Miata field.  A caution would bunch the field up, and Cooke was able to jump into the lead.  Two laps later, a car turned into Cooke letting the second place Miata slip by.  Cooke held on to second and would finish the weekend with two impressive podium finishes.

Flying to Barber Motosports Park with father Tom in tow, Cooke would hit the track for the Grand-Am Continental Tire test with Long Road Racing and Freedom Autosports.  For the first sessions, the rising talent circuited in the Long Road Racing Spec Miata to get accustomed to the track and conditions.  Working with Tom Long to get faster with each passing session, Cooke would be ready to jump into the Freedom Mx-5.

"What a car!" exclaimed Cooke at the close of the test. "I really did not know what to expect my first time in the car. But the car was great - it handled beautifully and had amazing power. Thanks to the team the car was very fun to drive. Also, a big thanks to Tom, whose guidance allowed me to get faster and faster each session.  I would have to say this was a very successful test."

Rounding out the month, Cooke would next see action at VIR in the NASA Southern Series.  After missing Friday practice, the 16-year-old jumped to the top of the charts in his class during Saturday warm-ups and clock the second quickest time in qualifying.  Taking the lead early in the final, Cooke would yield to second five laps in.  Battling with the leader, yellow flags would fly and ultimately the race would end under caution.  A cold and wet Sunday did not deter the rising talent, where Cooke would score pole position in his class and second overall.  Holding the lead in the early laps of the main event, Cooke fell to second on lap five.  Battling with the leader, Cooke made the move for the lead with two to go.  Coming to the stripe, the second place pilot would get a great run out of Hogs Pen to pass Cooke, as Cooke lost the race by a mere six inches at the line.

"All in all March was a great month.  I couldn't have been successful without Tom Long, Glenn Long, Long Road Racing and Freedom Autosport. Thanks to all!" stated Cooke at the close of the month.

Next up for Tyler Cooke is the Skip Barber event at Sebring International Raceway April 15-16.  Stay tuned to all of Tyler's events, results and news at www.TylerCooke.com.

For more information on Tyler Cooke, please him online at www.TylerCooke.comor via email at info@tylercooke.com.  

Long Road Racing driver Tyler Cooke drove to a second place finish during the Grand-Am Series event at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Photo: TylerCooke.com)