Marty Ladwig's Ecotec-Powered Chevy Cobalt Shatters 200 MPH Barrier

ATCO, N.J., May 15, 2005 - The sport-compact drag racing landscape was dominated over the weekend by Chevy Cobalts posting victories in three separate classes including a sweep of the Pro FWD and HOT ROD categories at the Northeast NHRA Sport Compact Nationals at Atco Raceway.
Marty Ladwig captured his second Pro FWD victory of the season, and made drag racing history in the process when his Ecotec-powered Chevy Cobalt became the first front-wheel-drive car in ever to break the magical 200 mph barrier in a quarter mile running an unprecedented speed of 202.02 mph in a final-round victory over Jason Hunt.

"This was an awesome weekend," said Ladwig. "To set the new speed record during qualifying and then come back and pick up the win and run the first 200 mph pass by a 4-cylinder or front wheel drive car is amazing. This has been one of the long time goals of GM Racing and Roush Industries and all the credit goes to the crew's hard work. It's especially great to be able to do it with our new sponsors: Brut, XM Radio, and RockStar Energy Drinks. It's really an over-the-top weekend for GM Racing and Chevy Cobalt fans."

Ladwig entered the Sunday eliminator with his Chevy Cobalt qualified in the No. 1 position after setting the Atco Raceway Pro FWD track record with a 7.659 e.t. at a national record top speed of 197.00 mph. During his final qualifying pass on Saturday, the car got loose at the top end and tagged the retaining wall. But the GM Racing team rallied back and worked late into the night to get Ladwig's Chevrolet prepared for raceday. In the finals against Jason Hunt, the Ecotec-powered Cobalt took the win light with an 8.069 second run at 202.02 mph. Jason Hunt, whose Ecotec-powered Saturn Ion was appearing in its third Pro FWD final round of the season, followed with a 9.517 e.t. at 107.06 mph.

"The GM Racing team did a wonderful job getting everything fixed and ready to go on our Chevy Cobalt," said Ladwig. "Winning the race and exceeding the 200 mph barrier in a four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive car is a testament to the hard work and dedication of this race team and GM Racing, and it's another one of those days when you realize how just lucky you are to be associated with such a great program."