MOOREVILLE, N.C. (March 14, 2009) - Despite only running a partial Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge schedule in 2008, Matt Plumb had an impressive season by any measure. Juggling his KONI outings with his impressive full-time rookie campaign driving a Daytona Prototype in the Rolex Sports Car Series, Plumb proved adapt no matter what he was driving.

[ Courtesy of Sunday Group Management ]
 
Between his podium performances and runs up front in the Rolex Sports Car Series, Plumb also took two victories in ST Class competition before winning the season-ending KONI event at VIR the very first time he raced a Ford Mustang, sharing the victory with brother Hugh and Mike Canney. So looking ahead to 2009, Plumb had good reason for optimism after being inked in the off-season to co-drive with Canney for Horsepower Ranch Racing. 
 
That optimism seemed well-placed as the 2009 season got underway, as Plumb set some blistering laps in practice at the World Center of Racing in the opening round of KONI competition at Daytona. But after his co-driver was crashed out of the race in the early laps, Plumb wasn't able to show what the No. 60 Horsepower Ranch machine really had. 
 
Unfortunately, while the KONI Challenge is back in action this weekend at Homestead Miami Speedway, that will continue to be the case as Plumb will now have to look to take his competitive edge elsewhere as sponsorship issues will keep the No. 60 Mustang from racing further events this season. The news came as a blow to the Rhode Island resident, but he knows that anything can happen in racing, and he's eager to move forward with his next opportunity.
 
"It's a shame that we aren't able to be down in Miami racing (at the Grand-Am Fan Appreciation Weekend at Homestead Miami Speedway) this weekend, but of course that's racing and you never know what's going to happen next," said Plumb. "This is not the first setback I've had in my career, and I'm just looking ahead to bouncing back from this and finding a new home. It's disappointing because obviously the Horsepower Ranch guys had put a great program together and that showed with the results in Daytona, but they just don't have the sponsorship we need to run the whole year. I want to thank Mike (Canney) for the chance to drive together, and hopefully I'll be able to talk about what I am doing next soon!"