Humble and Hungry: Performance Tech Motorsports Returns to Watkins Glen
DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (June 26, 2018) - Performance Tech Motorsports has spent the 2018 season proving it is possible to be both humble and hungry.
Coming off a Championship winning season all eyes are on the team and its No. 38 Centinel Spine/Restitute Health prototype entry in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Rather than performing for the expectant crowd the team performed for itself; working to better learn the car in its entirety without compromise. This humble attitude is shining through as the team enters Round 3 of the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Championship; The Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen.
After forgoing the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix in early June, the team devoted itself to rigorous preparation and testing. Following an intensive test at Road Atlanta Team Principal, Brent O'Neill, and his crew are feeling confident not only heading into the Sahlen's Six Hour but the rest of the season as well. At the halfway point in the season, Performance Tech sits ninth overall in the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Championship and is the second highest placing ORECA 07 LMP2.
“The test was really important in helping us gather information,” said Performance Tech Team Princiapl Brent O’Neill. “We hadn’t done a proper test yet this season so it was really good to be able to step back and spend time on the little things.”
“You always hope to have success when you start a new program like we did this season. I think the addition of the test is going to help us see that success faster. We have a good car and I’m looking forward to The Glen.”
Historically speaking, Performance Tech performs best at endurance races. O'Neill and his crew build cars that can easily withstand 24-hours and have years of experience in calling race strategy. The combination has made Performance Tech a fan favorite in the endurance championship. Following its one-race hiatus to focus on testing, the team is hungry for the podium fight.
Drivers James French of, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and teammate Kyle Masson, Windemere, have an equally long history of success at The Glen. Since 2016, the duo has a combined total of five podium appearances. 2017 saw a year of domination for both drivers at Watkins Glen. Masson won Race One and valiantly drove from the 22nd to third position in Race Two in IMSA Prototype Challenge Presented by Mazda competition. French achieved his fourth consecutive pole and win in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship later the same weekend. The history of success only builds greater expectation for the pair.
Along with competing, Performance Tech is excited to welcome Centinel Spine to its home track. Centinel Spine, out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will promote spine education and health from a popup location in the IMSA Fan Zone. Performance Tech driver Dr. Robert Masson is on deck at Centinel Spine to speak to fans as both a surgeon and a patient who benefits from Centinel Spine’s products. French and Kyle Masson are scheduled to host autograph sessions throughout the weekend as well. For more information, visit Centinel Spine in the Fan Zone during the four-day event.
The weekend kicks off Friday, June 29, with a practice at 10:25 a.m. ET, followed by Practice Two at 2:50 p.m. Saturday hosts an 8 a.m. practice followed by qualifying at 12:25 p.m. Finally, the green flag drops Sunday, July 1, at 9:45 a.m. The race will be broadcast in its entirety on IMSA.TV, FOX Sports GO and FOX Sports 1.
WeatherTech
Practice 1: Friday, 10:25 – 11:25 a.m. ET
Practice 2: 2:50 - 3:50 p.m.
Practice 3: Saturday, 8:00 – 9 a.m.
Qualifying: 12:25 – 12:40 p.m.
Green Flag: Sunday, 9:45 a.m.
Checkered Flag: 3:45 p.m.
WeatherTech Tune In
FOX Sports 1: 9:30 – 4 p.m. ET