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Racing History of Devin Cates:
A second-generation racer, and only 20, Devin Cates is one of the top young road racers in the United States. Proving his skills most recently in the hotly contested Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, Devin won the 9th round at New Jersey Motorsports Park, improving 5 places from his starting position, the only person on the season to win when qualified outside the top 5. He wrapped up his 2009 season in the Jetta TDI Cup with a solid 5th place performance on a severely rain soaked track at Road Atlanta and finished 10th in the Championship. Other accolades with The Jetta Cup include winning the pole position at Mid Ohio and earning the coveted I-Racing award and Most Improved Driver Award for the season. Winning in the Jetta TDI Cup adds yet another notch to his belt, and with his experience and age, it is expected that his move up the professional driver ranks will be a swift one.
Over the past three years Devin has sharpened his road racing skills in the amateur ranks in the ultra -competitive Spec Miata series racing with SCCA and NASA. Running a partial schedule in 2009, he walked away with 2 wins and 3 pole positions. In 2008, Devin took home 1 win, 4 poles and 7 podium finishes and finished 3rd in the Teen Mazda Challenge. Devin also gained some experience on oval tracks, including a Legends race and a Late Model test at Old Dominion Speedway.
Devin has significant experience for a driver of his age, racing at numerous tracks across the country. Starting out at Summit Point, WV, at the age of 16, he wowed his peers with a natural ability of incredible car controls skills driving a V-8 powered Mustang. He has proven to be a quick learner at new tracks and has demonstrated his abilities at Virginia International Raceway, Road Atlanta, Nelson Ledges, Carolina Motorsports Park, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Miller Motorsports Park, Road America, and across the border at Mosport International Raceway in Canada.
Devin is currently a sophomore at James Madison University where he majors in Business Marketing. He is very devoted to his studies and plans on getting his Masters in Business Administration along with a Minor in Economics. He completed his freshman year at Virginia Commonwealth University where he made the Dean’s list.
When Devin is not racing, he makes sure he is physically fit and in shape with intense training 4-6 times a week as well as playing basketball and soccer when his busy schedule allows. He tries to keep his race concentration up to par by playing race simulations such as iRacing; you can occasionally find Joey and Devin in the same iRacing practice session. Devin is also big into music with his favorite band being the improv progressive/jam sensation of Umphrey’s Mcgee. He also loves to play guitar along with writing and composing music. He showed his talents at the young age of 16 playing with multiple bands and venues across Northern Virginia.
Accomplishments 2009 VW Jetta TDI Cup (SCCA Pro)
- Win at round 9 at NJMP
2009 SCCA MARRS (Partial Schedule) - 2 Wins - 3 Poles - 6 Front Row Starts - 3 Fastest Laps of Race
2009 SCCA ARRC - Finished 8th out of over 60 cars.
2008 (Spec Miata, SCCA & NASA) – One win, 7 podiums, 4 poles, 7 provisional poles, 3 fastest laps - Finished 4th in NASA Mid Atlantic regional championship out of 91 competitors. - NASA Championships, 3rd place 1.6L and 21st out of 60 competitors in Spec Miata - 12 Hours at Summit Point – Pole position SSM - Summit Point Raceway – Testing and tuning a 1965 Factory Five Cobra for Super Touring.
2007 First full year amateur road racing in SCCA club racing, some appearances in NASA. - Achieved competition license in SCCA in one school. - Raced 1.6L Spec Miata, 1990 Mustang in Camaro Mustang Challenge. - Old Dominion Speedway, Manassas, VA. - 1/2 mile oval - V8 late model stock car.
2006 – Acquired competition license in NASA through HPDE schools. - Raced in Camaro Mustang Challenge - 2nd place finish at Mid-Ohio in third race. - Competed in the inaugural NASA Championships at Mid Ohio.
- Training and mentoring from father, Brian Cates, who has won 8 road racing championships
Goals - Win the 2010 Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Championship - Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series & ALMS
Sponsors - Finish Line Productions, www.finishlineprod.net - Cates Engineering, www.cateseng.com - Cutaway Creations, www.cutawaycreations.com
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