Long Qualifies Second at Long Beach

Alex Job Racing/Emory Motorsports on Front Row in DP at Long Beach

Long Beach, California — Patrick Long, driving the number 23/Alex Job Racing/Emory Motorsports/hirewise/10th and M Seafoods/Porsche Crawford will start from the front row for the inaugural street race for the Grand American Rolex Series presented by Crown Royal Reserve at Long Beach.

Long secured the front row starting position by posting a time of 1:20.080 with an average speed of 85 mph. In the three races that the team has competed in with their Porsche powered Crawford they have never started worse than the front row.

The young Californian, together with teammate Mike Rockenfeller, have had to come up to speed at the Long Beach street circuit in short order. The duo has never raced at the ocean side circuit before, but that did not stop them from posting the fastest lap in the morning practice session, the first of the weekend.

Thousand Oaks, Californian born Long comments today’s front row qualifying effort. "We made an adjustment after practice on the suspension, I really was hoping that there would be some more grip on the track by the afternoon qualifying session, but there really wasn’t. I was able to do good lap times in qualifying, but really did not get a good clean run until my last lap. The tires weren’t at full temperature so I might have left a tenth or two out there. The front row is a great starting position and it is nice to be at the head of the field on a tough street course like Long Beach."

Mike Rockenfeller has had few laps, but likes the Long Beach circuit so far. "I did about three laps this morning to let Patrick have maximum running for qualifying. I will get some laps tomorrow morning. I need a few more laps to find that extra bit of speed in the corners and to explore some passing zones. The car has been very consistent; we have a few changes for the morning warm-up to get the maximum setup for the race, but so far the team has been right on the mark with the car. We have a great starting position and in the last race the second position was the place to be at the start."

"Patrick did a great job in qualifying," said Alex Job. "It would have been nice to be on the track with the 01 car to battle head-to-head for the pole, but you can’t complain about a front row starting position. Mike didn’t get too many laps this morning, but we will make that up to him in the warm-up tomorrow. We have two very good drivers that are used to racing in close confines. As usual we will be on top of our strategy and be ready for an exciting 90-minute race tomorrow."

Long Beach holds the distinction of being the longest running street race in the United States. The 1.97-mile closed street course with its 11-turns will see action from the Daytona Prototypes for the first time in its 29 year history.

Round four of the Grand Am series will take the green flag at 7:00 p.m. EST on April 8th and will be televised on the Speed Channel starting at 9:00 p.m. the same day.

The team’s Daytona effort is sponsored by 10th and M Seafoods of Anchorage, Alaska and Wild Alaska Salmon. The team will also feature partners adidas, Bell Micro, ProVest, BBS and charity Limbs for Life.

Alex Job Racing and Emory Motorsports

Alex Job provides the technical experience, research and development and team management that have won the Florida based team many races and championships. Rod Emory provides the development and management of marketing and hospitality for sponsors and partners which has been the benchmark of success for Emory Motorsports.

To view the Alex Job Racing press kit or for additional information, please refer to www.alexjobracing.com or contact Kyle Chura at or at (248) 821-0468.