Cooper Atlantic tires set the pace in record-breaking season

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.' uniquely designed Cooper Atlantic racing slicks contributed to a tremendous season of record-breaking action culminating in rookie Markus Niemela capturing the 2008 Cooper Tire Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda series title.

Niemela, however, was only one of several drivers to claim their spot in the history books as a result of the performance provided by Cooper Atlantic tires. Here were the broken records in 2008:

Long Beach

* Full Race Distance, Simona De Silvestro, 50:51.261 (88.233 mph);

* Fastest Race Lap, Carl Skerlong, 1:16.046 (93.165 mph).

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

* Qualifying (1 Lap), James Hinchcliffe, 1:16.189 (105.748 mph);

* Fastest Race Lap, Douglas Soares, 1:16.369 (105.498 mph).

Trois-Rivieres

* Qualifying (1 Lap), Jonathan Bomarito, 58.989 sec. (92.824 mph).

There also were a number of records established in 2008.

Thunderbolt Raceway at New Jersey Motorsports Park

* Qualifying (1 Lap), Carl Skerlong, 1:10.211 (111.624 mph);

* Full Race Distance, Carl Skerlong, 50:49.282 (107.948 mph);

* Fastest Race Lap, Carl Skerlong, 1:11.533 (109.561 mph).

Miller Motorsports Park

* Qualifying (1 Lap), Markus Niemela, 2:28.915 (108.448 mph);

* Full Race Distance, Markus Niemela, 50:40.529 (106.229 mph);

* Fastest Race Lap, Carl Skerlong, 2:29.564 (107.978 mph).

Road Atlanta

* Qualifying (1 Lap), Jonathan Summerton, 1:14.137 (123.339 mph);

* Full Race Distance, Markus Niemela, 50:19.931 (105.976 mph);

* Fastest Race Lap, J.R. Hildebrand, 1:15.006 (121.910 mph).

For more information on the Cooper Atlantic racing slicks or the 2008 Cooper Tire Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda, visit www.coopertire.com and www.atlanticchampionship.com.