Three’s the Magic Number
Performance Tech Motorsports packs up its IMSA Prototype Challenge lineup for VIRginia International Raceway Aug. 21-23 in Alton, Virginia, where it will host a season record of three LMP3 cars.
At VIRginia International Raceway the No. 75 VB Enviro Care Ligier JS P3 of Cameron Cassels returns with Max Hanratty; however, the No. 6 Motel 6 Ligier JS P3 features a lineup change. Jon Branam joins Mount, VIR marks the end of Mount's two-race hiatus and Branam's debut in the prototype series. Dan Goldburg continues his championship hunt with Rasmus Lindh in the No. 19 Ligier JS P3.
Performance Tech had a strong run at VIR in 2019. The No. 19, then driven by Kyle Masson and Dean Baker, finished third on the podium. Then, Cassels, paired with James French, finished sixth and Mount, paired with Hanratty, finished seventh. A pair on the podium and two inside the top 10 insists the three entries can only further succeed.
Team Principal Brent O'Neill is prepared for the additional entry and believes each driver has an equal shot at the podium's top.
"We ran three cars last year, so the additional work isn't a problem for us at all," O'Neill said. "Rasmus is a good kid, and Dan has enjoyed learning from him, so I think they'll continue to move full steam ahead. Cameron and Max have a great opportunity if the nose stays clean. They've been fast and can definitely compete. Blake says he's ready to go, and the No. 6 is too. We haven't worked with Jon in the past, but we can assure him he'll have a good car."
Cassels and Hanratty have been bumped and bruised by the competition at previous races leading to podium opportunities missed but have shown nothing but speed. The duo will lean on past success at VIR to finally receive the reward they deserve. Together they are sixth in the points championship.
Goldburg has his eyes on yet another prize. He and teammate Lindh took home second at Road America. At their Sebring International Raceway appearance, the duo had a look at a podium finish, but damage to the car held back progress. Goldburg sits fourth in the championship with three races remaining, including VIR.
Mount and Branam try out their new pairing with a load of work on their plate but are ready to rise to the occasion. Mount missed the previous two races due to illness but pushed through to recovery. He and Branam focus on getting up to speed and dialing in the No. 6 LMP3 for the hour and 45-minute race.
The race weekend begins Friday, Aug. 21, with Practice One at 1:35 p.m. ET. Saturday, Aug. 22, the series starts the day early with Practice Two at 8:50 a.m., followed by qualifying at 11:20 a.m. Race day is Sunday, Aug. 23. The green flag for Round 3 drops at 9:35 a.m. with the checkered flag scheduled for 11:20 a.m. The race is streamed live on IMSA.tv and the NBC TrackPass.