September 30, 2005

Formula Mazda and Menards Infiniti Pro Series driver, Mishael Abbott of Coral Springs, FL battled from the back to earn the Sonoco Hard Charger Award during the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Formula Mazda National Championships Runoffs at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Mishael started twentieth on the grid of twenty-five Formula Mazda competitors vying to become this year's National Champion. On the first lap Mishael got around four cars to take sixteenth, and by the end of lap two she found herself in thirteenth. Mishael looked for a place to pass during the remaining eighteen laps but could only maintain position.

For her efforts Mishael Abbott earned the Sonoco Hard Charger Award for improving the most positions during the race in the Skyline Management/CDC Builders/Racing for Kids #36 Formula Mazda.

"I am very happy with the results today and winning the Sonoco Hard Charger Award," Mishael said afterward. "We struggled all week with mechanical problems but I got a great jump at the green flag and passed a few cars. I think I got the most I could out of the car today."

David Donovan took the checkered, leading flag-to-flag with Chris Schanzle, having moved up from the fifth starting position, finishing right behind. Post-race technical inspection found a problem with Donovan's car and Chris Schanzle was proclaimed National Champion. Schanzle was the 2003 National Champion following a similar disqualification to Doug Peterson (the eventual 2004 Champion).

Mishael Abbott finished twelfth in her second trip to the SCCA National Championship Runoffs®, improving on her seventeenth place finish from last year. TV coverage of the SCCA National Championship Runoffs® Presented by Kohler is on a tape-delayed basis. The Formula Mazda National Championship race is scheduled for initial airing on December 4 at 1:00 p.m. (EST) on SPEED Channel.

Mishael Abbott is pursuing her formal education at Florida Atlantic University, working toward an elementary school teaching degree, and at the University of Indianapolis, working on a sports marketing degree. Mishael is seeking sponsorship support to complete the entire 2006 season in one of the premier open-wheeled series.