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Qualifying report

Pew posts strong time as Michael Shank Racing set for Laguna Seca Sunday race

#60 Michael Shank Racing With Curb-Agajanian Ford Riley: Oswaldo Negri, John Pew

#60 Michael Shank Racing With Curb-Agajanian Ford Riley: Oswaldo Negri, John Pew

Jeff Davidson

Monterey, Calif. (8 September 2012) – Michael Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian will start the Continental Tire Sports Car Festival from the fifth row of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series grid on Sunday after John Pew posted a quick time of 1:22.884-seconds around the 2.238-mile Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca circuit.

#60 Michael Shank Racing With Curb-Agajanian Ford Riley: Oswaldo Negri, John Pew
#60 Michael Shank Racing With Curb-Agajanian Ford Riley: Oswaldo Negri, John Pew

Photo by: Jeff Davidson

The lap times between the seventh and ninth position were separated by just .5-seconds with Pew yet again showing a strong qualifying pace in the No. 60 Ford-Riley machine.

“To be so close in time to guys like Alex (Tagliani) and Paul (Tracy), that's why I'm doing this,” offered Pew about his continued efforts in the Rolex Sports Car Series as he returns to the site of his DP debut with MSR in 2007. “So I’m proud of the time, and even though we would like to be a little closer to the front, it might help us to avoid anything that happens on the start. But I think it’s going to be a good car long term. I was overdriving a little bit there at the end of the session because I was really trying to push. The Continental Tire guys have done a fantastic job with the temperatures changing. We will see what happens in Turns 1-2, avoid any carnage, and then keep going is pretty much the plan for the first lap. I’d rather be where I am in some ways as far as having lane selection.”

The Shank squad has continued to show strong pace throughout the season and will look to extend a strong record at the fabled Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The team has claimed four top-five finishes at the track – including a podium finish in 2007 - and will look to capture another good result at the MRLS circuit on Sunday.

“I’m pleased with how the weekend has opened up, and John put in another great effort today,” said team owner Mike Shank. “It just goes to show how competitive the series is with how close all the times are, and how good of a job that John (Pew) is doing based on that. I’m super happy with the progression we’ve had all weekend and I think we’re in good shape for the race.”

Source: Michael Shank Racing

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