Volkswagen TDI Cup "Diesel Derby"
Steven Chupnick

We were so impressed by the Volkswagen Jetta TDI that we named it our Driver's Choice best of the year. It's not just that the Jetta's turbo diesel engine is strong and thrifty, or that it's a great small family car. The TDI is also a blast to drive. So much so that it was only a matter of time before it headed for the checkered flag, and our Steven Chupnick went over the edge to be in this winner's circle. – John Davis

In becoming MotorWeek's 2009 car of the year, the Volkswagen Jetta has caught a lot of attention. And with the TDI cup series, Volkswagen is showing off a new side of the car - the racing side. We already know the turbo power the car puts out on the regular street. It was just a matter of time before v-w took it to the track. The clean diesel car is a dream vehicle for these amateur racers.

KERSTIN SMUTNEY: "Oh, I love driving it, it's so much fun. My personal car is a 2008 Rabbit, so I've got all Volkswagens; I love it."

Started by Clark Campbell, the series is a way to promote fun, clean fuel and racing - all at the same time.

CLARK CAMPBELL: "The diesel Jetta is such a performance-oriented car but most people have myths or stereotypes about diesel being slow, smelly and smokey. We wanted to have a way - an exciting way to showcase that the new technology allows it to be fast, clean and efficient. And we felt like racing and motorsports would be the perfect way to do it."

With all the cars setup the same, it's the driver's abilities that are really put to the test.

CLARK CAMPBELL: "They enter the series as amateurs and graduate with a fully pro SCCA driving license. That's really a part of the series that we want to make sure that the young driver has that chance to become a true professional."

The first race of the season took place at V-I-R Virginia International Raceway. Last year's winner, Mark Pombo returned to defend his title, even though he's used to the competition, it's still a learning curve each time he goes out.

MARK POMBO: "It's fun, but it's crazy sometimes. You don't really know the people that you're next to that well when the series starts and you develop relationships. And just like anything else, people get reputations. So you kinda of have to figure out who you can and can't trust to be around."

Being mindful of fuel economy is what makes this series so intriguing, this year, VW paired with gulf hydrocarbon, using their hyperfuels' synthetic diesel as the only fuel.

JESS HEWITT: "We think this series is great because it's the first diesel racing series in the country and it allows us to deploy our syndiesel B5 in 30 racing cars over 10 races in the United States."

Promoting a cleaner environment is a motivator for a lot of the drivers of the series...

THERESA CONDICT: "The green aspect of the racing was definitely a huge part of it that attracted me. The fact that they use the Hyperfuels B5 syndiesel, it's great. It's great the way they're promoting green racing."

Volkswagen is also giving students at Virginia Tech University a chance to learn the tricks of the trade, and the pressures of a pit crew. Traveling the U.S, they get to know the TDI inside and out.

DENNIS MCCORMACK: "For them, it shows them repetition - especially the help of them changing the wheels, brake pads, looking at the chasse, chasse alignment. We instruct the Virginia Tech students every step of the way, cause we want them to learn; they're part of our program."

There were a ton of things to do for us non-drivers as well. I figure, since I can't get out on the real track, I might as well try my luck on the go kart track, but I still didn't get my racing fix on the go kart track, so I figured I'd take my hand at the video game.

Back on the course, it's all business. Jetta after Jetta sped by with only one goal in mind - a win. And on this double race weekend, two rookies came out on top. Joey Atterbury, in the red bull number 14 taking race one and Jake Thompson in the Hitachi number 19 in race two. Still in the thick of this season, next year is shaping up to be even better.