William Schweitzer Conquers First-Ever Race in 2.5-Hour Sonoma Endurance Challenge

SONOMA, CA — TNI Racing driver William Schweitzer completed a major milestone over the June 6-7 weekend. He finished his first-ever auto race at Sonoma Raceway Taking a 2nd place finish and the prestigious Plastex Top Rookie award at Sonoma Raceway. Schweitzer completed the grueling 2.5-hour endurance race as a solo driver within the E90 CUP, the newest division of the United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC).

Getting to the starting grid was a race of its own. Delivery delays kept the team waiting for parts, keeping them from competing in the first race. Then, a blown transmission forced them to miss next race. Now 2 races down, the

crew worked around the clock to install and code a new transmission. They also added a new JRZ suspension and an AutoPower roll cage just in time for the green flag.

The race brought unexpected mechanical drama. Schweitzer felt a dangerous vibration in the turns and pitted. Mechanics Spenser Rowlands and Nate Pigg quickly found and tightened a loose front ball joint. When the vibration

returned a lap later, the crew adjusted the other side. Their fast work kept the car in the game.

Once back on track, Schweitzer found his rhythm. He avoided major wrecks and kept his cool, even when a faster E46 car made a surprise pass off-track through the Esses. As the field thinned, Schweitzer locked in and clocked his

personal best lap time at Sonoma with a 1:59. "I found a new home in racing and the USTCC," said Schweitzer, "Everyone has been helpful and friendly. I am grateful to Ali Arsham for guiding me down this new path in life. I also want to thank Ron Valtierra for inviting me into the TNI Racing family. My crew did an amazing job keeping the car safe and on the track. Achieving a second-place finish and being named Top Rookie in my very first race is more than I could have hoped for."

Schweitzer and TNI Racing will look to build on this success at the next USTCC West Coast event.