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Factory racer Lawson Aschenbach finds himself on the hunt for a better opportunity after parting ways with a satellite Pontiac Rolex GT team. (Photo: GM) » More Photos
While his Rolex GT pole position last weekend gave a strong indicator that fortunes were on an upward swing for his Autohaus team, the 2006 SPEED GT champ, 2007 factory GM Cadillac and now Pontiac driver Lawson Aschenbach finds himself on the outside looking in just days after the Mid-Ohio Rolex race.
“It's obviously a tricky situation to part ways with a team in the middle of the season. It has been a tough year. We’ve had a lot of positives, but also a lot of negatives. That’s the nature of the business sometimes for a new team. We worked hard to improve our results and I believe that over the last three or four races we started to show our true speed and a win was around the corner.”
While the choice for Aschenbach’s departure ultimately fell with Autohaus, the two parties had been working for sometime to establish a stable ground to build from. “It's always a challenge for a new program to come out of the box and start winning races. It’s what every new team wants, but veteran teams know will take time. Last year with Cadillac, we wanted to win so badly, but when those wins weren’t coming right away, everybody kept their focus and remained positive. The team was four years old at that point and still had challenges, but Andy [Pilgrim] and I both finally won races towards the end of the season. It takes time.”
Aschenbach ended 2007 on a high note, winning the penultimate SPEED GT round for GM against legends Randy Pobst and Ron Fellows. (Photo: GM) » More Photos
With GM’s seats filled in Rolex for 2008, Aschenbach’s been told to find the best short-term solution, or to capitalize on a long-term solution if it presents itself before 2009. “GM has done so much for me over the past two years or so and I can't thank them enough. Of course I have to do what's best for my career and I truly hope that means getting back in a GM product soon. I definitely still have ties to GM and hopefully
While Aschenbach weighs his immediate future, the experiences gained in GM’s road racing programs will serve him and his next team. “It’s been a great experience in all aspects and I've learned a lot over the past few years. From really pushing my limits against drivers like Ron Fellows, Andy Pilgrim, Paul Edwards, and Kelly Collins, to learning about presenting a corporate image through media training and TV work, being a part of the GM family has been an invaluable asset for me.”
Being involved on the technical side of GM’s road racing developments has also been a boost to Lawson’s growth as a driver. “That’s been one of the most impressive areas for me—to work with Pratt & Miller in the testing and development of their cars, the engines, the aero, the suspension, the tires…they’re a benchmark in the racing world, and I’m a much better driver for being included in their R&D programs.”
Despite a pole by Aschenbach at the last Rolex GT round in Mid-Ohio, a tumultuous season was called to a premature end with the team. Their loss could be another team's blessing. (Photo: Marshall Pruett) » More Photos
With new opportunities in front of him, Aschenbach’s eyes are focused on Rolex GT, but a move to DP or adding drives in more than one series hold interest for the Maryland-native, now living in Florida. “To be honest, the most important thing is getting in a great car with a great team. I’ve tested a ChampCar with Forsythe and know I’d be right at home in a Daytona Prototype, but I also love the Rolex GT cars and think I can bring a lot of factory experience to any team. KONI also interests me; a lot of Rolex guys pull double duty by also running in KONI, so I hope to fill my plate with great opportunities. My future is wide open.”
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