The KONI Challenge Series event for Watkins Glen International had over 80+ entires; with over 45 in the Street Tuner class that Team Sahlen's Mazda would be competing within.  The weekend's 2 hour session was filled with rain, rain and more rain.  The Team Sahlen crew chose to use this time to work on their rain set up.

"This was the first time we had a chance to put a rain set up on the Mazda.  There was no time at Mid-Ohio in the race to do anything, so we just ran the car as it was.  Here, with the rain set up, it was great to drive.  Even with this being a rear wheel drive car, we were ahead of 23 other ST cars." - states Will Nonnamaker

In qualifying, Joe Sahlen easily placed the #43 racer in the top 2/3rds of the field, in 27^th position.  Although a good grid position, the time looked even better when the team discovered a handling issue that caused severe understeer. 

At the start of the race, all looked good.  Joe made it through turn one and the initial lap carnage.  But then suddenly, just as the yellow light for the caution came on in the car, the Mazda shut down. 

The mysterious shut down could not be diagnosed at the track, thus the team choose to park the car instead of taking a risk on track.  In the end, perhaps the team did not miss much on track, as the KONI race was riddled with further yellows and wrecks.

"The electrical problem is a mystery to us.  The weekend left a lot of question marks, as we felt we had good pace, and were in contention for both a top 10 and the SUN TRUST Most Improved Position Award. In the end, we will just have to come back another day and fight." - states Will Nonnamaker