Performance Tech Survives the Challenges of Mid Ohio
LEXINGTON, Ohio ( May 5, 2019) - Performance Tech Motorsports faced many trials and tribulations at this year’s Sportscar Challenge at Mid-Ohio, but the team never lost pace.
Performance Tech Motorsports finished second in the LMP2 class after an unfortunate bought of luck at Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course. The crew demonstrated precision and impeccable team work making quick work of overcoming every aversion thrown their way. Team Principal, Brent O’Neill applauds his crew and drivers for their perseverance.
“This really proves what the team is all about,” O’Neill said. “None of these guys will ever give up. Dustin runs the LMP2 now and him and Mike really took a page out of Frankie’s book. It’s amazing because those two guys will do whatever to make sure the car gets fixed while being quick. Today it would have been very easy for us to pack it in and say we’re done. Cameron limped the car back, we put a new axle in and he went back out there. We finished the race and got great second place championship points thanks to the drivers and crews willingness to push on.”
The teams weekend started on a high note with Kyle Masson, Windemere, Florida, earning the team’s first Motul Pole award of the season in the LMP2 class. He carried that momentum straight through to the race earning the fastest lap in class and driving the car onto the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship podium for the third consecutive time. While the day ended with good spirits, Cameron Cassels, British Columbia, first had to face a series of challenges.
Cassels series of unfortunate events began unfolding from the drop of the green flag. He was hit by a competitor from GT Daytona in the second turn. The damage appeared limited, allowing him to return to the circuit with after a speedy rear wing repair. However Cassels soon alerted the crew of a broken axle, giving them know choice but to retreat behind the wall.
Cassels rejoined the race forty three laps down but ready to push on. He ran consistent laps faster than his LMP2 competitors before handing it over to Kyle Masson, Windemere, Florida. Cassels made quick work of communicating the cars performance to Masson allowing him to finish the race on pace with his competitors.
The No. 38 Centinel Spine ORECA LMP2 hits the track next for Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, at Watkins Glen International Raceway. The drivers will partake in the third round of Michelin Endurance Cup year taking on the historic 3.4-mile track for six hours. The event takes place June 27-30, 2019. For a more detailed schedule and ticket information visit imsa.com
Cameron Cassels, Driver of the No. 38 Centinel Spine ORECA LMP2
“ I lost a git of confidence after having contact,” Cassels said. “I realized it’s just part of racing though and I had to move past it. I’m sure the Turner BMW didn’t mean to wreck our race any more than he meant to wreck his. I just tried to minimize the damage and get back to the pits as fast as I could. A couple of laps later I lost what I thought was the gear box but in fact was just an axle. After that I just had to work on running fast consistent laps so Kyle and I could both reach our drive time. It’s tough enough to pass here so it really was challenging to not interfere with others races but at the end of the day I think everything worked out. I love Watkins Glen and am looking forward to racing there next.”
Kyle Masson, Driver of the No. 38 Centinel Spine ORECA LMP2
“From the team perspective this weekend went great,” Masson said. “The cars were fast, the team worked smoothly together and the drivers were consistent. We should be really happy for that. We did face our fair share of challenges on track today though. We were hit on the first lao so after that it was just damage control. I had a lot of hope to win this weekend since Quinton, an ambassador for Be The Match was here. It was still a good weekend regardless. I love Watkins Glen and I’m really looking forward to that track and the six hour.”