Up-and-coming Canadian earned additional valuable seat time during PBIR tripleheader 

INNISFIL, ONT. – While Matthew Di Leo and MDL Racing did not garner the results desired during the season-finale of the Cooper Tires Winterfest this past weekend (February 9-10) at Palm Beach International Raceway, the Canadian outfit yet again showcased its speed and racecraft. Having used the pre-season championship to gain valuable seat time and preparation, Di Leo is now ready and excited about his upcoming 2013 season, which will announced shortly.

Mere days after first getting behind the wheel via races one, two, and three of the Winterfest series at the historic Sebring International Raceway road course, Di Leo was back in the cockpit at PBIR for three more USF2000 races. As planned, the MDL Racing owner/driver focused on driver and car development during the two-day event. This meant continually working with the skilled crew behind the pit wall to fine tune the No. 56 RES Precast Inc./MDL Racing entry, and refine his growing skills. Despite not having what Di Leo called an ideal car in qualifying, the 17 year-old still posted the fifth best time in the lone qualifying session, which set the grid for race one of the tripleheader. Unfortunately, a clerical error with regards to filing the tire form meant a disqualification of his times, and a starting position at the rear of the talented field.

Given his revised start position, Di Leo entered race four of the championship with the goal of working on his racecraft. The up-and-coming Canadian promptly showcased the skills that led him to fourth in the 2012 USF2000 Championship, charging all the way up to sixth on a track that has limited passing opportunities.

With one impressive run already under his belt at PBIR, day two got underway with Di Leo poised to potentially battle for a place on the post-race podium. Di Leo, having started eighth, once again began working his way forward when the green flag waved for race five. Just after joining the top-five, a fuel pump failure halted his charge, ultimate relegating the MDL Racing entry to an unrepresentative 13th place in the final results. While the talented crew resolved the problem prior to race three of the triple bill, a further mechanical problem resulted in yet another unreflective finish to end the six-race series.

"Our main objective going into the Winterfest series was to gain seat time and prepare for the 2013 season," stated Di Leo. "While some issues and poor luck did not allow MDL Racing to showcase what it has to offer, I'm still super excited about my 2013 racing season!."

Di Leo and MDL Racing now return to finalizing and preparing for the 2013 race campaign. The Canadian-based squad will be announcing details shortly on what will be an new and exciting endeavor.

Those interested in supporting this up-and-coming Canadian driver are encouraged to contact Matthew Di Leo directly @ MatthewDiLeo.com to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

Learn more about Matthew Di Leo and MDL Racing at MatthewDiLeo.com, and keep up to date via Twitter @ MatthewDiLeo and Facebook @ Matthew-Di-Leo. Videos also available on YouTube @ MatthewDiLeo56.

###

About Matthew Di Leo:
A native of Innisfil, Ont., Di Leo began his journey towards a career in motorsports at the age of nine, first getting behind the wheel of a kart. Showing natural talent right from the get go, Di Leo steadily worked his way up the ranks, continually developing his skills. In 2011, the Canadian made his car racing debut. Racing in the Ontario Formula Ford Championship, he won once and stood on the podium in both races he contested. Piloting an F2000 entry as well, Di Leo finished third the USF2000 Winterfest series with two podiums, and was fifth in the USF2000 Championship with one trip to the post-race podium. Last year, Di Leo again got in the cockpit of F1600 and F2000 cars. He scored one win, added another podium finish, and captured two pole positions in the Quebec-based Formula Tour 1600. Racing as an owner/driver under the MDL Racing banner, Di Leo finished fourth in the USF2000 Championship, capturing four podium finishes.