Cooper Atlantic tires set the pace in record-breaking season
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).
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.