By Alex Gonzalez
(Long Beach) – Comedian/ podcast star, Adam Carolla placed first overall at the 36th annual Pro/Celebrity race at Long Beach Saturday afternoon.
Carolla finished over a field that included film, television, music, and sports stars in an exceptionally exciting and competitive event.
“In my past races, I finished third and ninth, so I expected to finish somewhere between 15th and 18th this time,” Carolla said. “But it’s a really amazing feeling to win. And I’m also thrilled to benefit the kids at the children’s hospital. Also the parents who are by their kids’ side around the clock. This win is for the parents!”
This is Carolla’s third race at Long Beach. His best finish was his first time and that was third place. With the experience that Carolla has, he was confident that he would do well. In the qualifying round on Friday, he was a half a second slower then “Son of Anarchy” star Kim Coates.
“Every race you do probably helps the next race, but those are old school rear wheel drive cars with no technology and then these are new school, front wheel drive cars with a lot of technology. So on one hand, the actual racing does help you, but the technology is so different and the cars are so different,” said Carolla.
Carolla, host of comedy podcast “Adam Carolla Show,” co-creator of “The Man Show” and a contestant of the current season of “The Celebrity Apprentice,” pulled a quick move on
pole position star Coates in the fourth lap. As the two were turning into a corner, Carolla was able to pull ahead of Coates, and maintain the lead for the remainder of the 10 lap race.
Coates was not able to finish the race however as the actor crashed while he was making his was way through the hairpin turn with three laps to go. Paramedics rushed to the accident, but Coates was able to get out of the car and walk on his own power.
Actor Hill Harper, from “CSI: NY”, made a late surge in the race, challenging Carolla, but Carolla was a half a second faster when the two crossed the finished line.
“This race was extremely competitive,” said Les Unger, national motorsports manager with Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. “Adam really pulled it out, but Hill Harper’s unexpected challenge in the final laps had the fans holding their breath. It’s not unusual for a celebrity to come in first overall, but for the celebrity drivers to compete neck and neck is exciting.
These drivers were incredibly competitive.”
Scion drift driver and 2010 Formula Rookie of the year Fredric Aasbø finished first in the Pro category. Aasbø fought his way to a fourth-place finish overall, closing a 30-second delay of the professional drivers to end just six seconds behind Carolla.
Aasbø weaved around drivers, trying to make up his 30-second handicap. Even though he did not finish first in pack, Aasbø did score the best lap time of any driver. His lap of 1:47:107 was the fastest lap among the other drivers.
“I am so excited just to have been a part of the race, competing alongside all these great people. I feel like I have made a group of great friends here and I’m so grateful to Toyota
for putting this all together to benefit the children’s hospitals,” Aasbo said.
Despite the tenth place finish, actress Kate del Castillo from the Mexican soap opera “La Reina Del Sur” finished first for the women. Castillo finished before weather woman, Jillian Barberie Reynolds and actress Eileen Dickinson.
“It’s intimidating of course, because I’m a woman. It’s weird, there’s just a fine line and it’s a little fear, but once you pass it everything opens up,” said Castillo. “These guys are nice, giving me advice and that’s how we drive in Mexico. I like speeding,” she laughed.
Toyota will donate $5,000 to the Racing for Kids in the name of each celebrity racer and an additional $5,000 to Carolla’s charity of choice, Catholic Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
The Toyota Pro/Celebrity race is scheduled to be broadcast on the Speed Channel on Saturday, April 28 and will be re-broadcast numerous times.
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