JOHNSTOWN —
Napleton Racing and Kevin Gleason, debut weekend race winners last year at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, have reunited for an all-out assault on the Pirelli World Challenge Championships GTS title in the No. 16 Napleton Racing Porsche Cayman S.
Napleton and Gleason will contest the entire 2013 Pirelli World Challenge GTS Championship that begins this weekend on the streets of St. Petersburg, the fourth straight year the Pirelli World Challenge will begin its season in Florida with a doubleheader weekend that is part of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg IZOD IndyCar event.
Round 1 from St. Petersburg is scheduled for today, while Round 2 is on Sunday. The GTS competitors will race at the same time as the more powerful GT cars. Live streaming of both races may be seen on www.world-challengeTV.com, and the full weekend telecast is to appear at 12:30 p.m. April 7 on NBC Sports.
Napleton and Gleason contested only the Mid-Ohio Pirelli World Challenge weekend last August, and walked away winners in their debut.
After finishing third in Saturday’s opening race of the doubleheader at Mid-Ohio, Gleason started third and drove to the victory in the rain in the Sunday race.
“I believe Napleton Racing and I will be a strong combination this year,” Gleason said. “We were able to achieve some success last year in our only weekend in Pirelli World Challenge and, seeing how well the team operated on and off the track, I knew this is where I wanted to be this year.”
Despite the Mid-Ohio success, Napleton and Gleason skipped the following and season-ending race in Sonoma and shifted the focus to building a full-season program for 2013. With that goal met, the mission begins this weekend in Florida.
“I didn't think we were going to be able to make it happen but thankfully a late deal was put together for the season and I couldn't be more excited,” Gleason said. “The GTS class is stronger than it’s ever been and the single driver platform is very appealing. There are a lot of really good teams and a great mix of fast, experienced drivers along with some really hungry younger drivers.”
Napleton Racing was also at the foundation of the landmark victory by Jack Baldwin at Long Beach last April. That race was the first major North American road racing victory for the Porsche Cayman S and the No. 68 was built by and at the time maintained by Napleton Racing.
Gleason’s resolve to put a deal together with Napleton was strengthened when the team, with drivers David Donohue, Shane Lewis, Dr. Jim Norman and Nelson Canache, dominated in the debuting GX class to win the season-opening Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Rolex 24 At Daytona in January. The Cayman S that carried the team to victory in the day-long Daytona race was the same proven car that Gleason drove to the Mid-Ohio win. An all-new Cayman S, that will carry No. 16, has been built for the 2013 Pirelli World Challenge campaign.
Local Sports
Gleason begins racing season
- Local Sports
-
-
Defense attorney: Woman’s death an accident
A defense attorney for a Blair County man charged with homicide in the 1999 death of his daughter-in-law said the woman’s death was accidental.
-
College players dominate Point nominations
Pitt-Johnstown junior Jake Warner was perfect and extremely productive at the plate while earning the first two monthly nominations for the 2013 Point Stadium Award in February and March.
Mount Aloysius sophomore Derrick Capiak nearly reached perfection to take the April nomination. -
Pirates roll past Brewers
Wandy Rodriguez allowed one run over seven strong innings and Neil Walker hit a two-run single as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 on Wednesday night.
Rodriguez (4-2) gave up six hits, walking one and striking out five. -
Dupuis coming through for Penguins
Dan Bylsma has been hearing it seemingly from the moment he took over at Pittsburgh Penguins head coach four years ago.
Every time the Penguins hit a rough patch, the murmurs about finding a polished winger to play alongside superstar Sidney Crosby pop up. Bylsma understands the sentiment. It’s just that it’s a little misplaced. -
Penn State guard leaving for pro career
Penn State guard Jermaine Marshall, the team’s second-leading scorer, is foregoing his senior year of eligibility to pursue a professional career overseas.
The team announced the surprise move in a statement Wednesday. The 6-foot-4 Marshall, who is on schedule to graduate this summer, cited his family including a 1-year-old son, in making his decision. -
Penn State coach blasts Sports Illustrated article
Penn State coach Bill O’Brien is fervently disputing suggestions raised in a report that player medical care has been compromised after the team doctor was replaced.
Speaking often in an angry tone that might be otherwise reserved for an argument with an official, O’Brien told reporters in a conference call that the health and safety of his players were his top priorities. -
Penguins advance on overtime goal
Brooks Orpik’s goal would have been memorable even if wasn’t in overtime and didn’t put the Pittsburgh Penguins into the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
When you are a defensive-minded defenseman with only 12 goals in nine NHL seasons, they all tend to stand out. -
Liriano key to Pirates' victory
Francisco Liriano finally got to pitch for Pittsburgh and, just like that, the Pirates looked like a much better team.
He struck out nine and the Pirates teed off on New York’s pitching for an 11-2 win over the Mets on Saturday. -
Shade softball thriving on Karl’s watch
Frank Karl coached the majority of the girls who comprise Shade High School’s softball team from the time they played T-ball and coach pitch.
Karl was there when the group, as elementary-school students, once rallied from an 18-run deficit to win a game, and he hoped to be there when the group reached the varsity level. -
MIKE MASTOVICH: Junior put his stamp on tourney
This year, Junior won’t be on the Point Stadium field for the pregame hoopla associated with opening night of the 69th annual AAABA Tournament.
He won’t watch as dozens of Corvettes and hundreds of baseball players enter through the left-field gate with their respective teams from cities such as Baltimore, New Orleans, New Brunswick and Altoona. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
Defense attorney: Woman’s death an accident
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
