SunTrust Youth Racing Scholarship Recipient Announced
January 12, 2006
SunTrust Youth Racing Scholarship Goes to St. Louis’ Caleb Loniewski after Impressive Showing at Stars of Karting Finals in Toronto
SEATTLE (Jan. 12, 2006) – Caleb Loniewski of St. Louis, Mo, is the inaugural recipient of the SunTrust Youth Racing Scholarship after his solid performance in the recent Snap-On Stars of Karting presented by the IRL Finals at the Woodbine Entertainment Complex in Toronto.
As part of its nationwide support of youth racing, as well as the series’ National Finals, SunTrust Bank, the Official Bank of the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by the IRL, provided a $1,500 scholarship toward participation in the Skip Barber Karting Scholarship Shootout to the highest-finishing competitor in the ICA class at Toronto who signed up for the award. In addition, the scholarship recipient will be the guest of 2005 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series champion Wayne Taylor and SunTrust Racing at a 2007 Rolex Sports Car Series event.
The 20-year-old Loniewski, a native of Michigan City, Ind., was actually the second-highest finisher in the ICA class at Toronto who was registered for the SunTrust Youth Scholarship. But third-place ICA class finisher Eric Morrow, who was the highest competitor to have registered for the award, also earned a scholarship to compete in the 2007 Formula BMW USA series, and that precludes his involvement in any other racing program. Thus, SunTrust officials went to the next-highest registered finisher to have applied for the scholarship to determine this year’s winner, which was Loniewski.
"All of us in the SunTrust Racing family congratulate Caleb Loniewski as the inaugural recipient of the SunTrust Youth Racing Scholarship," said Taylor, owner-driver of the newly formed Wayne Taylor Racing team that campaigns the No. 10 SunTrust Racing Pontiac Riley in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, which kicks off its 2007 season Jan. 27-28 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. "It is through the support of companies like SunTrust, which has come to be known as the Official Bank of Motorsports, that we can help ensure that the most promising young drivers get the best opportunities to develop into our racing stars of the future. We look forward to hosting Caleb at a Rolex Sports Car Series event in the coming year."
Loniewski, who has been racing karts for 10 years, stepped up to the Skip Barber regional ranks last year. He competed in the 2006 Skip Barber Karting Scholarship Shootout, finishing 26th out of 60 participants. The 2007 renewal of the Shootout is this weekend (Jan. 12-15) at Sebring, Fla.
Loniewski plans to increase his involvement in auto racing. Last weekend (Jan. 6-7), he scored two victories in the Sportsman class of the Skip Barber Southern Regional Series at Homestead (Fla.) Miami Speedway.
"I think this award really ties together a lot of objectives of both SunTrust and our series, and it’s a great way to cap off our first season together. The fact that SunTrust has reached out to younger drivers and tried to create connections for them with their Grand-Am team is impressive and we appreciate it," said Series Marketing Director Jeff Swoboda.
Drivers must apply for the scholarship by signing up at registration for the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by the IRL Finals in Toronto.
The event will crown National Champions in all five classes of the series and see substantial promotional and marketing support from the Woodbine Entertainment Group. All promotional inquiries can be directed to jeff@starsofkarting.com. To learn more about SunTrust, Official Bank of Motorsports and its specialized banking services go to http://www.suntrust.com/motorsportsbanking and http://www.suntrustracing.com/
Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by the Indy Racing League is based out of Seattle, Washington, sanctioned by the World Karting Association (WKA) and owned and operated by 1986 Indianapolis 500 champion and IRL IndyCar Series team owner Bobby Rahal, IndyCar Series driver Bryan Herta and veteran karting promoter Paul Zalud. www.starsofkarting.com, www.worldkarting.com.
Snap-on Tools Company, LLC is a subsidiary of Snap-on Incorporated, a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of tool and equipment solutions for professional tool users. Product lines include hand and power tools, diagnostics and shop equipment, tool storage products, diagnostics software and other solutions for the transportation service, industrial, government, education, agricultural, and other commercial applications, including construction and electrical. Products are sold through its franchised dealer van, company-direct sales and distributor channels, as well as over the Internet at snapon.com. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2 billion-plus, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wis., and employs approximately 11,500 people worldwide.
Formed in 1996 by Tony George, Stars' presenting sponsor Indy Racing League provides the ultimate in wheel-to-wheel racing excitement through the IndyCar Series and Menards Infiniti Pro Series. The 2006 season marks the 11th year of competition for the IndyCar Series, the pinnacle of open-wheel racing in America. The 14-race schedule, featuring 11 ovals, two road courses and a temporary street circuit, consists of the most events in season history. The Indy Pro Series, an essential stepping-stone for drivers and teams striving to reach the IndyCar Series, will feature 12 races in 2006, including four events on road courses and two on street courses. http://www.indyracing.com/.
