Michael Shank Racing targets strong showing in Monterey

Pataskala, Ohio – After a three week break in the schedule, Michael Shank Racing will be back in GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series action this weekend as the team travels to the fabled Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the penultimate race of the 2013 GRAND-AM season.

Michael Shank Racing press conference: Gustavo Yacaman

Photo by: Eric Gilbert

The team enters the Continental Tire Sports Car Festival with some positive momentum, having posted a strong performance in the previous round of GRAND-AM action with both team entries at Kansas Speedway. Gustavo Yacaman qualified the No. 6 Tuvacol/AERO Ford-Riley on the front row and led 44 laps of the race before trouble befell co-driver Justin Wilson, who was hit from behind by Sebastian Bourdais before subsequent contact caused a steering issue, ending the night early for the team.

Pew and Negri once again extended their streak of Rolex Series podium appearances as the sister No. 60 Ford-Riley entry came home a hard-fought third.

“It is amazing that there are just two races to go this year,” said team owner Mike Shank. “Even when we’ve had breaks between races like we’ve had since Kansas, this whole team has been flat out so the season has gone quickly.

I was really pleased with how we performed in Kansas--we didn’t get the result we were looking for with both cars, but as far as what we were able to control and the job that our drivers did, it was a really good weekend. We just want to build on that this weekend.”

The trip to Monterey will see a swelled entry featuring 16 Daytona Prototypes slated to start for the two hour, forty-five minute race on the circuit, which is a driver favorite. The long run up the hill to the Corkscrew might not favor the Ford with the current regulations, but the team is hoping to make the most out of the race weekend.

“With John (Pew) making his first start with us, and of course our trip out here in 2005, we’ve had some very good days at Laguna and hopefully this Sunday we can have another big result,” said Shank. “Gus has done a great job learning new tracks, and with Justin having raced here before they should be up to speed quickly.

Also a big thanks to Vickie Miller for her support through the years, we appreciate every fan we have, and she’s at the top of that list!”

The weekend will be a quick and busy one for Michael Shank Racing as practice and qualifying is set for Saturday ahead of Sunday’s 2.75-hour race which is set to begin at 2:00 PM local time. FOX Sports 1 will carry live coverage of the event beginning at 5:00 PM (ET).

Michael Shank Racing