05/18/2002

GUY COSMO WINS STAR MAZDA AT SEARS POINT

Sonoma, CA -- Guy Cosmo asserted his status as one of the nation's hottest young open-wheel racers by winning the Star Mazda Series race at Sears Point Raceway, Saturday, May 18.  The race was part of the Grand Prix of Sonoma Presented by Fosters.  Cosmo confidently dominated the 38-car field in the #45 www.kc-baggers.com Racers Edge Formula Mazda.  After qualifying third, the Long Island, NY resident overcame the pole sitter's home field advantage and the never looked back, setting the fastest race lap on the way.

"It was so strange," described the enthusiastic Cosmo, "It was like I went into auto pilot.  I didn't have to think about it.  I closed the gap, I made the pass, then it was just like testing, putting down lap after lap, and I pulled away."

The 24 year-old admits that the weekend was not a simple walk.  "There are some tough drivers in this field, but I managed to pick up the tricks of Sears Point that the local guys spent years learning.  Plus Racers Edge did a fantastic job this weekend.  They gave me a very fast car that I could drive very hard."

Cosmo was not discouraged initially by his third place starting spot, noting that the Racers Edge Motorsports car went faster than ever in their brief history at Sears Point.

"I knew we had a good chance to win this race after qualifying," said Guy. "There was no way the others could sustain their qualifying speeds during the race.  I got a great start and took 2nd place right away.  I was pulling up on the leader and reeling him in when the first yellow came out.  After the restart, I made it happen.  In most sections, I was quicker.  I got right up to his gearbox out of the Carousel when he went a bit wide.  By turn 7, I shoved my nose right underneath, made it stick and just pulled away."

Guy Cosmo is no stranger to the Star Mazda victory circle.  He pulled off a podium finish for Round 1 at Sebring.  His win at Sears Point places him in second place for the championship and a mere one point out of the lead. 

The next Star Mazda Series race will be on the oval track at Pikes Peak on
Sunday, June 16.

Guy Cosmo has consistently demonstrated his aptitude in several different formulae.  In 1999, he distinguished himself as one of the hottest young drivers in the US when he won the US F2000 American Continental Championship, notching five victories in the process.  Also that year, he tested in Indy Lights and was selected as a test driver for Dunlop tires.

In 2000, the 23 year-old Long Island based driver spent ten months in Denmark as the Mygale works development driver in the Scandinavian  Formula 2000 series.  While there, he scored two poles, two wins, and 14 top-five finishes on his way to a second place finish in the talent rich Scandinavian open-wheel series championship.

In 2001, he has contested the Star Mazda series for Racers Edge at Texas Motor Speedway and Sebring.  Cosmo finished third at Sebring in only his second Star Mazda series start.  He also made his debut in the CART Toyota Atlantic Championship.  Guy finished in the top-ten in four of his five Toyota Atlantic starts, including the daunting street circuits at Long Beach
Houston and Trois Rivieres.

Sources:  Guy Cosmo PR
Posted:  May 21, 2002