Performance Tech and Hometown Hero Take LMP2 Pole

ELKHART LAKE, Wis. (Aug. 3, 2019) - Performance Tech Motorsports took home the MOTUL Pole Award in the LMP2 Class at Road America thanks to the work of Sheboygan native James French. 

French took home his first LMP2 pole, Performance Tech's second, at his home track in his first start in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series this season. Today's pole is far from French's first pole at Road America, in IMSA competition alone he has collected three pole awards. French has been absent in IMSA LMP2 competition due to running LMP2 in the European Le Mans Series. He runs in Europe while balancing his effort in the IMSA Prototype Challenge series with teammate Cameron Cassels. 

Performance Tech's first pole of the 2019 season weekend came via Kyle Masson at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The team's first win came at Sebring International Raceway, the track Performance Tech considers home. Having success at home tracks paired with French's finesse for Road America places he and Cassels in prime condition for a win in the Road Race Showcase.

“It’s absolutely great to be back at Road America, “French said. “This is my home track and I’m super thankful to be able to have this opportunity in my home town where my friends and family can come out and watch. Qualifying was good but this is the first time I got to try the Michelin tire on a low fuel run. I definitely didn’t have the pace to match Matt’s lap so kudos to him there. I needed to push a bit sooner in the session, probably the first lap, to be able to get that lap time. Going forward I learned a lot from this session and I’m pretty happy with that. This isn’t exactly how you want to get pole position but at the end of the day I’m so excited to be able to start first on home turf. A big thanks to Performance Tech, let’s go win!”

The two hour and 40-minute Road Race Showcase at Road America kicks off at 2:35 p.m. CT. The race is streamed live on IMSA.tv with additional coverage provided by IMSA Radio. The broadcast airs on NBCSN from 6-9 p.m. ET.