In its worldwide debut, the first Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup race was held Sunday at VIRginia International Raceway, with rising star Mark Pombo crossing the finish line after completing 11 laps in the 30-minute sprint race. With a best lap time of 2:15.686 Pombo, 25, from Duluth, GA., raced against 28 other up-and-coming drivers to secure his win in the race.

"Winning the first race of the Jetta TDI Cup is definitely a highlight of my racing career so far," said Pombo. "It's a competitive field of racers, with each of the drivers at the top of their game. I wouldn't have been able to achieve this win without the support of the Volkswagen cup series team and Cates Engineering."

"We couldn't be more thrilled about our first Jetta TDI Cup race experience," said Stefan Jacoby, president/CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "We had an amazing event in Virginia with Governor Kaine in attendance, 'Max' leading the pack as pace car, and incredibly talented young drivers racing clean diesel cars in what's proving to be a very competitive race series."

Complete Jetta TDI Cup race results are listed below with finishing position, starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown and laps completed.

  1. (4), Mark Pombo, Duluth, Ga., 11
  2. (5), Derek Jones, Philadelphia, Pa., 11, -.463
  3. (6), Jimmy Underhill, Denver, Colo., 11, -.532
  4. (7), David Jurca, Federal Way, Wash., 11, -.831
  5. (20), Gary Williams_Jr., Dana Point, Calif., 11, -1.171
  6. (2), Caleb Kenney, Berkeley, Calif., -1.629
  7. (21), Chris Kuenning(R), Grand Rapids, Mich., 11, -2.381
  8. (11), Chris Castagna, Boston, Mass., 11, -2.556
  9. (8), Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle, Puebla, MX, 11, -3.269
  10. (10), Michael DeNino, Gaithersburg, Md., 11, -4.122
  11. (16), Jake Dallenbach(R), San Antonio, Texas, 11, -4.846
  12. (24), Adam Kretschmer(R), Brampton, Ontario, 11, -8.487
  13. (19), Andy Lee, Colorado Springs, Colo., 11, -11.204
  14. (25), Nick Mancuso, Mettawa, Ill., 11, -11.663
  15. (26), Andrew Cordeiro, Woodbridge, Ontario, 11, -11.828
  16. (29), Taylor Broekemeier(R), Fort Collins, Colo., 11, -12.457
  17. (28), Adam Love(R), Normal, Ill., 11, -14.986
  18. (17), Wyatt Dallenbach(R), San Antonio, Texas, 11, -15.751
  19. (23), James Kirkham, Beaverton, Ore., 11, -18.063
  20. (13), Ryan Buetzer, Long Beach, Calif., 11, -18.195
  21. (27), David Richert(R), Niverville MB, Canada, 11, -19.377
  22. (15), John Shim(R), Starkville, Miss., 11, -19.768
  23. (18), Evan Pflock(R), Rendondo Beach, Calif., 11, -26.949
  24. (1), Josh Hurley, Cooper City, Fla., 11, -2:11.011
  25. (22), Chad Brassfield(R), Phoenix, Ariz., 10, -1 lap
  26. (9), Liam Kenney, Sterling, Va., 9, DNF
  27. (14), Adam Crepin(R), St. Louis, Mo., 9, DNF
  28. (12), Chris Holman, Burlington, Ontario, 9, DNF
  29. (3), Timmy Megenbier, Melrose Park, Ill., 3, DNF

All drivers in this innovative race participated using factory prepared and managed 2009 Jetta TDI clean-diesel vehicles powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder TDI engine. The Jetta TDI is lightly modified from spec, featuring race-ready suspension and brakes, and a six-speed double-clutch automatic DSG transmission. Additionally, to highlight its environmental dedication Volkswagen has partnered with Carbonfund.org to certify the entire race series as carbon free.

The next race in the series will take place on May 16 - 18th, at Mosport International Raceway.