Performance Tech Motorsports Champions for Second Place in Motul Petit Le Mans
Consistency and perseverance earned Performance Tech Motorsports a second place finish at the 23rd running of the Motul Petit Le Mans.
Performance Tech Motorsports had a strong and exhilarating 10-hour race earning its best finish of the season at MICHELIN Raceway Road Atlanta. The team entered the weekend with a stellar new trio that acquainted themselves to the car and team at an impressive speed. The whole group's clear, and concise communication combined with its well-practiced performance placed them in prime position for a podium position from the early hours of the race.
Team Principal Brent O’Neill once more expresses his pride in everyone involved with the Performance Tech Motorsports operation.
“Everyone says racing is a family sport and my team always proves it,” O’Neill said. “Jim, Matt, and Colin immediately meshed with the team which really is the key to a good weekend. Everyone was in this together and willing to fight even when the odds were against us. We’re happy to walk away from Road Atlanta with some hardware and are looking forward to heading to our home track, Sebring.”
Jim McGuire had the honor of starting the Motul Petit Le Mans in the No. 38 Centinel Spine LMP2. He kept the car clean as he passed it on to Colin Braun and then Matt Bell for the first round of driver cycles both of which followed suit. A pit lane infraction in the middle stages of the race would set the team back a lap but still, they pushed on.
After pushing lap after lap to close the gap to third place an opportune full course caution would place Braun and the No. 38 in contention to battle for third position. A wave around during the full-course caution and a clean restart would push the team ahead claiming the final podium spot. As the hours ticked by the drivers continued to shave off time to the ahead competitors while completing each of the driver’s minimum drive time.
As the sunset and temperatures dropped the team’s patience soon paid off. As the final hour of the race ticked by Bell closed out his stint placing the reins in Braun’s hands to make the pass for second. From there it was smooth sailing to the finish line
of the 23rd running of the Motul Petit Le Mans where the No. 38 earned its record best finish of second place.
Next up for Performance Tech Motorsports is the Mobile 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. The No. 38 Centinel Spine LMP2 will head to its home track for the second time during 2020 following suite of the unprecedented season. For schedule details and ticket sales visit: https://www.imsa.com/events/mobil-1-twelve-hours-of-sebring-presented-by-advance-auto-parts/
QUOTE BOARD:
Jim McGuire, Driver of the No. 38 Centinel Spine LMP2
“I think it was really great to come and race with Performance Tech,” McGuire said. “This was kind of a last-minute deal to come and run the Petit Le Mans. It also was my first time in a LMP2 in race conditions. It went really great and the team was such a big help. They gave us a good car and we were able to get up to speed from scratch quickly. It was great to have Colin and Matt with me and we got on the podium so there is not much more you can ask for.”
Matt Bell, Driver of the No. 38 Centinel Spine LMP2
“It’s always a challenge to hop into a new car on a race weekend,” Bell said. “I hurt my back during the LMP3 which unfortunately did not make things easier but the guys at Performance Tech gave us a fast car to work with. They did a great job and we as drivers kept it clean. It was a completely crazy race with a good ending so I just want to thank everyone involved.”
Colin Braun, Driver of the No. 38 Centinel Spine LMP2
“This obviously was a great result for the whole Performance Tech team,” Braun said. “This was Matt and Jim’s first WeatherTech race debut, so it was cool to get those guys on the podium. The guys honestly worked so hard all weekend. They pulled up their sleeves and just worked and kept improving the car, the pitstops, and our driving. We worked really hard to get Jim and Matt more comfortable in the car which by the race I think they were, and it showed. Sometimes a team works this hard all weekend and doesn’t get the results they deserve; however, I think this weekend the guys finally got the podium they have deserved for quite a while.”