LM24: Shank to serve in-race penalty

An unexpected engine change in the No. 49 Michael Shank Racing Ligier JS P2-Honda has earned the American team an in-race penalty. The Ohio-based team, which is making its debut at the famed 24-hour event, found a crack in the 2.8-liter twin-turbo V6's oil pan, which necessitated a move to a new unit.

"This is a really tough deal for my guys, they've been busting their butts for just about a month and this is a big project to add to our pre-race prep," Shank said. "But we're fortunate to have discovered this today and not any closer to the race. We've got great support from Honda and HPD, and I am so proud of my guys for how they've just put their heads down to get this done. We'll fight through this and the penalty and just stay focused on finishing this race."

Per the ACO's rules, the five-minute stop-and-hold must be served during the first 12 hours of the race which, with the time lost entering and leaving pit lane, works out to losing just under two laps.