Michele Bumgarner to return to Pro Mazda

[drdisque]

Report is that Michele Bumgarner will be in a car for the rest of the season starting at Mid-Ohio and will also be in a car for 2014:

http://eformulacarnews.com/news_info.php?n=12692&sid=517222646468daa0594fc159934f35c4

If you recall, Michele raced in the first few races of the 2008 season with a best finish of 15th (this interstingly is not mentioned in the article).

Also, in late 2008 she announced that she would drive for Walker Racing in Indy Lights in 2009, and of course, that never happened. She's only 23, but she hasn't driven in any significant races of any kind since those Star Mazda races back in early 2008.

She reportedly has her sponsorship from Mazda of the Philippines.

Also, interestingly, no team is announced yet - with the debut about 2 weeks away, you'd think you'd have that ironed out before putting out a press release. Maybe they want the teams with empty seats to fight over her.

Normally I wouldn't post a whole thread about a Pro Mazda driver, but I thought this was interesting, given her history.

[vintage]

Any announcement like this without a team should be taken with a grain of salt. She has been the master of annnouncing things that are designed to convince others to give her sponsorship money.

[Rob Howden]

EFCN Update: I've been told that the sponsorship in sound and in place, but the true focus will be doing the true research and due diligence in finding a team. I would expect that testing will be the focus later this summer and fall, which a potential run at Houston if all goes well.

We'll try to keep everyone updated.

[vintage]

EFCN Update: I've been told that the sponsorship in sound and in place, but the true focus will be doing the true research and due diligence in finding a team. I would expect that testing will be the focus later this summer and fall, which a potential run at Houston if all goes well.

We'll try to keep everyone updated.

So she won't be running at Mid Ohio? I'll be shocked!

[vintage]

So looks like Telo will be running her at Houston - maybe a poll for expected results? Hope she shows up with the check.

[lindaw]

Any announcement like this without a team should be taken with a grain of salt. She has been the master of annnouncing things that are designed to convince others to give her sponsorship money.

Delightful gal with alot of racing talent--hope all works out for her--maybe even see her in the field of 33 someday!

[drdisque]

Delightful gal with alot of racing talent--hope all works out for her--maybe even see her in the field of 33 someday!

Maybe if 33 cars start the Freedom 100 someday