Clean Green Cars: Volkswagen announces 2010 Jetta TDI Cup driver lineup

Volkswagen announces 2010 Jetta TDI Cup driver lineup

Filed under: Biodiesel, Diesel, Volkswagen, Racing

The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup is coming back for its third season starting in April and the automaker spent several days last week evaluating young drivers before selecting 25 to take the wheel this year. Of the 25 drivers that will compete, 16 are new to the series and nine have participated in previous outings. As it has in the first two seasons, the opening round will be at VIRginia International Raceway on April 23.

Drivers were evaluated on the basis of their skill on the track in addition to their ability to communicate. After all, any successful racer has to sell themselves as well as whatever their sponsors are pitching.

The racers will again be competing in identically prepared Jetta TDI sedans with a 170 horsepower version of the 2.0-liter diesel inline-four found in the street Jetta. This year, the season ends with two races at Autodromo AMOZOC in Puebla, Mexico near the factory where Jettas are built. In 2009, the race Jettas began running on B5 biodiesel which the road car is also certified to use. The full list of drivers and 2010 race dates is after the jump.

Gallery: 2008 Jetta TDI Cup Road Atlanta