The third endurance classic of the 2019 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season gets underway this Sunday, June 30th with the Sahlen’s Six Hours of Watkins Glen. Heinricher Racing with Meyer Shank Racing will return with the No. 57 Caterpillar Acura NSX GT3 driven by Katherine Legge, Christina Nielsen and Bia Figueiredo.
Having claimed a victory at the track in 2017 and then backed that up with another run to the podium last year, Legge is hoping to continue that momentum into the Glen weekend to give Acura its second win at the 3.4-mile New York circuit.
“I am looking forward to Watkins Glen. It’s the home of so much success for Acura and Heinricher Racing with Meyer Shank Racing,” said Legge. “It’s one of my favorite tracks and favorite areas to go to, so I’m eager to get back to upstate New York. We will be working hard to get back on the podium with Heinricher Racing in the Caterpillar Acura NSX. The Glen fans are always very welcoming and it’s a great event.”
Nielsen will be making her fifth start of the season in the No. 57 Acura NSX. She has a similar success rate at the Glen, sharing the podium with Legge in 2017 as well as earning victory in 2016.
“Watkins Glen is one of my favorite circuits on the American schedule and I’m happy to return there with Heinricher Racing,” said Nielsen. “I have had a couple of good results in the past there – a victory in 2016 and a podium (2nd) in 2017. It’s always a track that allows for good racing. The Acura was super strong in Detroit and the team did a great job, but unfortunately our result didn’t reflect that. Hopefully we can have a good result this weekend and build on the momentum we had in Detroit.”
Figueiredo returns to Heinricher Racing after competing in the Daytona and Sebring endurance rounds earlier this year. Figueiredo is also familiar with the Watkins Glen podium, having scored a second place Indy Lights finish in 2008.
“I’m really happy to be back in IMSA and with Heinricher Racing,” said Figueiredo. “It’s been two or three months that I’ve only been racing in Brazil. Watkins Glen is the first track that I’ve been to before on this IMSA schedule. It’s a track that I enjoy a lot and I am looking forward to going back there with the Acura NSX.”
Team principal Jackie Heinricher is excited for the No. 57 Caterpillar Acura to get back on track for the third endurance race of the season.
“There is such great history at Watkins Glen associated with names like Jackie Stewart, Phil Hill and Dan Gurney, and we are so proud to bring our sponsors to this epic racetrack,” said Heinricher. “The momentum we’ve been building over the last few races has us ready to do battle over the six hours of this race. With Bia joining Katherine and Christina in the Caterpillar Acura, we have the experience, speed and talent to fight for a podium and the win. We intend to do just that.”
Source. Sunday Group
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