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Grand Am: Valiante, Farnbacher Claim Poles at VIR

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Khatir Soltani
Michael Valiante was awarded his first career pole position when fast timer Memo Rojas' car failed post-qualifying inspection Saturday at Virginia International Raceway.

Valiante ran a lap of 1:43.329 in the No. 10 SunTrust Pontiac Dallara, and will start on the pole in Sunday's Bosch Engineering 250 at Virginia International Raceway, Round 4 of the 2008 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16.

The No. 01 TELMEX Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Lexus Riley of Rojas and Scott Pruett - the current Daytona Prototype point leaders - and the No. 99 GAINSCO Bob Stallings Racing Pontiac Riley of fourth-fastest qualifier Jon Fogarty and Alex Gurney were found to have a wing measurement outside Grand-Am tolerances. Both cars will start Sunday's race from the back of the Daytona Prototype grid.

Running his fourth race for Wayne Taylor Racing, Valiante led much of the 15-minute session before being passed by Rojas late in the session.

In GT, Dominik Farnbacher scored his first career GT pole with a track record lap of 1:53.401 in the No. 87 Farnbacher Loles Porsche GT3, followed by Mexico City winner Andrew David in the No. 57 Stevenson Motorsports Pontiac GXP.R, and James Gue in the No. 97 Stevenson Motorsports Corvette.
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
As a car enthusiast, he tests and compares vehicles from different categories through the eyes of the consumer, ensuring relevant and objective reviews.
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada