ROSEVILLE, Calif. - Cassie Gannis will return with GSR Racing for a full season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West this year and make a run for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors, the team has announced.
Seventeen-year-old Trevor Cristiani, Cassie’s new teammate at GSR, will make his series debut and will also make a run for rookie honors.
Greg Rayl, last year’s full-time driver for GSR, will be stepping out of the driver’s seat to play a role of car chief/crew chief for both teams.
“We had a great 2011 season, improving from 12th in points in 2010 to 11th in 2011”. Rayl said. “Winning the NASCAR sportsmanship award in 2010 was the highlight of my K&N career, but finishing a couple races in the top 10 this year came real close.”
"GSR Racing is now providing opportunities for young drivers to experience the next level of racing, giving drivers a chance to learn while keeping racing fun and exciting is our goal," he said.
“Too many young drivers get so serious at this level that they forget to have any fun” said Rayl, “We always try to have a good time, even when things don’t go our way. If our drivers can advance further in their racing careers, we hope their time with us teaches them to enjoy what they are doing.”
About Cassie Gannis
Gannis, 20, has been a standout since she decided to hit the tracks at age 10, consistently placing in the top five in the Quarter Midget Racing. She owns the 2003 Arizona State Championship in the Bandolero Series and 2005 Rookie of the Year in the Legend Series. She is a Graduate of the Lyn St. James Driver Development Academy and a passionate speaker on teen driving safety issues on behalf of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Arizona, the CHP Designated Drivers Program, AAA of Southern California, Driving MBA, and Community Tires of Arizona. Gannis is currently working for Drivetech as a Professional Racecar Driver providing ride-alongs for corporate clients and team building exercises. In 2010, she became one of 30 drivers nation-wide chosen to compete in the Drive for Diversity Combine in Charlotte, N.C. As part of the 2010 Drive for Diversity Combine, she became part of the "Changing Lanes" television series on the BET Network. Her website is www.cassiegannisracing.com
About Trevor Cristiani
Cristiani won the biggest race of his career by winning the Airport Auto Brokers Late Model Series feature at Ukiah Speedway in August 2011 to clinch the series championship with still two races left to go. Cristiani has already accomplished much in his young career including 15 Outlaw Kart championships, scoring his first Modified win at age 14, and getting his first Late Model quick time at age 15. In 2011 Cristiani dominated the AABLM from the start, beginning with three straight runner-up finishes. His website is www.trevorcristianiracing.com.
About GSR Racing
GSR Racing is owned by Rayl out of El Dorado Hills, Calif. Rayl made his NASCAR K&N Pro Series West debut in 2008 at his hometown track, All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. The team's website is www.gsrracing.com.