Michael Shank Racing Birmingham qualifying report

John Pew Fastest Ford with Fifth on Barber Grid

Birmingham, Ala. (30 March 2012) – John Pew matched his career-best qualifying effort when he drove the No. 60 Michael Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian LiveOn.com Ford-Riley to fifth on the grid for Saturday’s GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series event at Barber Motorsports Park.

John Pew

Photo by: Eric Gilbert

Despite only having a few flying laps due to a yellow flag during the 15-minute session, Pew’s quick time of 1:24.041-seconds around the 2.3-mile Alabama road course earned him a spot on the inside of the third row for the start of the 2.75-hour Porsche 250 event.

“I had no idea I was as far up as fifth because there were a few laps I got sideways a couple times and I just thought I blew it - but I guess more people got sideways than I did!” said Pew of the qualifying run. “I was really pushing – we didn’t have too many laps. The car was a little loose. If we had been able to stay out and not come to the pits for that caution period, it wouldn’t have been a problem but coming in, it got pick up on it. Before that first black flag, the car would have been really good on that second lap.”

Pew’s previous best start came at Road America last year when he qualified the No. 60 Daytona Prototype fifth before he and co-driver Ozz Negri went onto score their third consecutive top-five result of the season.

“Really good qualifying for John –one of the best he’s ever qualified,” offered team owner Mike Shank. “I’m super happy about it. We think we have a pretty good car but we think it’s going to be hard to beat the Chevys on a downforce track like this. We think our car is pretty good, we just don’t know if it’s enough to beat the Chevys. But I’m happy for John and this is a great follow-up to the Rolex 24.”