Team Moore Racing picks Klein for rest of season
"This was an extremely difficult decision for us," said team co-owner Mark Moore. "Jeff (Simmons) has done a great job for us this season. He had us in the championship hunt even though he didn't compete in the first race of the season.
"At this point in time, Tom (Wood) and I have decided to take the opportunity to have a look at Jonathan's road course ability in preparation for the 2009 driver line-up, with talks continuing with Pablo Donoso. This race will give us the chance to look at how they work as teammates."
Simmons went into the race at Kentucky on Aug. 9 still in the points chase. While running in seventh position, a piece of debris from a crash punctured the oil cooler. Simmons was forced to come into the pits on Lap 40, ending his day in 23rd position.
"I am very thankful for the opportunity to drive with Team Moore Racing this year and proud of my performance and the contributions I was able to make in the development of the car," Simmons said. "I knew from the very first event we did together that it was going to be race-to-race. One of the main goals was to attract good drivers with sponsorship funding behind them to the team. We were able to do that and I hope that will put the team in a stronger financial position to be competitive."
Klein last raced on a road course during last year's doubleheader at Infineon Raceway, posting a pair of top-10 finishes. His best road course finish came at St. Petersburg in 2007 where he claimed third.
"I want to thank Tom and Mark for their consideration and wanting me in their car," said Klein. "I'm really excited to do a race on a road course again; it's been a year since I've raced on one. We'll take full advantage of the time on the track on and go out with everything we've got this weekend with the focus on zero mistakes and a solid result."