Michael Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian Watkins Glen Pre-Race Preview

Pataskala, Ohio (22 June 2015) – Michael Shank Racing rides a wave of momentum into the Sahlen’s 6 Hours of the Glen this weekend after scoring two consecutive podium results in the previous two races of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and the Streets of Belle Isle in Detroit. The Watkins Glen event marks Round 6 of the IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship as well as the third round of the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup.

Though there hasn’t been any race action since the run through the streets of Detroit a month ago, the Michael Shank Racing squad hasn’t slowed down.Following the Detroit round, Michael Shank Racing drivers John Pew and Ozz Negri were joined by Matt McMurry in a test at the Watkins Glen road course in upstate New York. The trio logged plenty of laps in the No. 60 Honda-powered Ligier JS P2.Pew and team owner Mike Shank then set off for France for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The two took in the sights and sounds of the world-famous event in preparation for 2016.“We were there making sure we understand what it takes commitment-wise in every department you can imagine,” said Shank. “From how we fly in and take trains to how we set up in the pit lane to how we do pit stops – just everything you can think of to make the team function, we were reviewing. I’d never been there before so to see the mass of people that really care about sports car racing was really exciting. I wanted to make sure I have my head around everything so there’d be no surprises for us.”Now back in the States and fully focused on the six-hour endurance race, Michael Shank Racing is ready to get going this weekend with Pew and Negri who will pilot the No. 60 Honda Ligier machine in the 6 Hour.Michael Shank Racing and the Pew/Negri combination have fared well in the 6 Hour classic. In fact, Michael Shank Racing has finished fourth in the race six times (’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’11, ’13) and is more than ready to take that step up onto the podium.The Ligier is expected to do well at the Glen, but with higher top speed and stout torque curve, the Daytona Prototype has its own set of strengths.“The P2-type cars tend to be able to carry a lot of speed through the last two corners as well as through the bus stop with their downforce,” offered Shank. “But the Daytona Prototypes come right back in sections because they have a good top end as well as the big torque numbers. So that can be a bit of an advantage in traffic. But if there is a lot of green flag racing, we would expect the P2 car to be easier to keep balanced through an entire tire run and make it an easier car to drive for 6 hours.”Despite the endurance format of the Sahlen’s 6 Hour, the race is run much like a sprint event with the drivers and cars flat-out through the entire six hours. According to Negri, it will require a lot of flat out racing and long green flag runs to give the advantage to the P2 machines. “Most of the races - even the Rolex 24 hour - is flat out like a qualifying lap,” said Negri. “It’s an endurance race but we’re in full sprint race mode. If we are able to go through some long green flag stints, the fact that the P2 car is a little bit easier on the Continental Tires through the run will hopefully help us out at Watkins Glen. I think we have a good chance. Our P2 car should be good there. We have a good car, we’ve been at the top of the time sheets and I think we are going to be very strong and I’m hoping to be on the podium at Watkins Glen for sure. Hopefully we are going to start with a good car right away and that usually helps a lot like it did at Daytona. If that happens, I think we are looking good for a good result there.”Practice for the big Sahlen’s 6 Hours of the Glen event gets underway on Friday with two sessions. A third practice will be held on Saturday morning ahead of an evening qualifying session at 4:55 PM ET. The Sahlen’s 6 Hours of the Glen is set to go green at 10:10 AM ET on Sunday with LIVE coverage on FOX Sports 1 beginning at 10:00 AM ET until 2:00 PM. FOX Sports 2 will then take over coverage until 4:30 PM ET.A recap show will be televised on Sunday, July 5 at 1:00 PM ET on FOX Sports 1.