Santa Monica, CA – Shea Holbrook, driver of the #67 TrueCar.com/Virgin Honda Civic Si, finished in 4th place in her inaugural season of the Pirelli World Challenge Championship. The season ended last weekend in Sonoma with a triple-header race event. Holbrook the 22-year old member of the TrueCar Racing Women Empowered initiative, finished fourth in each race to end her season with a top-5 finish in the Championship.

Holbrook after giving interviews in IndyCar Fan Village Photo credit: eBay Motors
Holbrook made her mark with her on-track performance as she battled with the championship leader and fellow Compass360 Honda drivers. “At this level of racing, everyone is a good racing driver. We knew we had a competitive car and as long as I did my job, the race would come to us. Although, we still drove as if it was our last time behind the wheel,” explained Holbrook.

In the first race, she went from sixth to third on lap 5 to earn the Cadillac CTS-V Move of the Race. She stayed in the top-three until an off course excursion put her back to fourth where she finished the race. “It was upsetting to finish fourth when we were so close to making the podium,” said Holbrook. “We ran a great race except for that one minor mistake but we had to move on and mentally prepare for the next race.”

Holbrook started fourth in the second race moved into second by Turn 2 of Lap 1 but shortly after fell back to fourth. “In this race in particular it was difficult to compete against the turbo cars in a straight line. It was frustrating as we felt we were faster through the corners,” Holbrook said.
In the final race of the weekend, and of the Championship, Holbrook started sixth and once again finished fourth, completing her first full season in the Pirelli World Championship Touring Car Championship with a strong fourth-place position.

In her first full season, Holbrook and team had two podium finishes, seven top-5’s and five top-10’s.

“I’m humbled, excited and emotional after this race weekend. I just can’t believe my dreams have become a reality and the credit all falls to TrueCar. Looking back to the beginning of the season when the team was rushing to build the 2012 car to where we are today is incredible. Our season on track was a success because of the crew’s relentless hard work, passion and competitive drive to win. I’ve become the driver I am today because of TrueCar’s driver coaches and I owe everything to them. While I’m running around everywhere during the race weekends the team is at the transporter putting their blood, sweat and tears into our Shea Racing program. Racing is interesting in that it goes from a team sport, to an individual sport, and then back to a team sport. It’s important to recognize the army behind the driver. I sincerely thank all our partners and the fans to standing behind our vision.”

Watch the Pirelli World Challenge races from Sonoma on NBC Sports, Sunday, September 9th at 3:30-5PM eastern. Also view the online broadcast on www.world-chalengetv.com and live in-car video from Holbrook’s cockpit on Livestream.

Holbrook plans to race in the Pirelli World Challenge Championships in 2013.

Special thanks to the fans, TrueCar, Virgin, Lucas Oil, Premier Capital, HPD/Honda Racing, Shea Racing, Compass360 Racing, Eibach Springs, Bell Helmets, K&N Filters, Penta Water, and Cool Shirt.