Performance Tech Motorsports welcomes back James French, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, into the No. 38 Centinel Spine ORECA LMP2 for the IMSA Road Race Showcase at Road America Aug. 2-4 in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
This is French’s first time back in the No. 38 LMP2 since running in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Prototype Class last year. French has split the 2019 season between running the IMSA Prototype Challenge series with teammate Cameron Cassels and running an LMP2 in the European Le Mans Series. This is his first time racing an LMP2 at Road America after forgoing the round last season.
French joins Cassels, British Columbia, in the LMP2 at a pivotal point in the championship chase. Performance Tech Motorsports has been in an impeccable point battle all season that favored the Florida team until the last race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. With three races remaining in the LMP2 season Road America can make or break the teams’ championship pursuit.
Team Principal Brent O’Neill is confident his team has what it takes to regain the lead at Road America.
“This should be a good weekend,” O’Neill said. “We’ve got James in the car with Cameron. This is James’ home race so we’ll have a lot of support. These two have driven together all season in LMP3 so it will be great to see them together in the LMP2. We’re ready to go and take back our points lead.”
Performance Tech Motorsports has had great success at Road America in the past, winning poles and races alike. With the right set up Performance Tech will make the high-downforce LMP2 come alive amidst the fast-paced 14 turn, 4.05-miles of Road America. The month break since racing at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park allowed the drivers to acquire information about the LMP2 at the circuit, study the data and practice on the simulator to maximize their three practice sessions during the weekend.
French of course brings years of experience having grown up racing at the crown jewel of Wisconsin tracks. His combined track and car knowledge will be indispensable as the team works to quickly and efficiently set up the car. While Road America may not be Cassels home track, he is no rookie to the fast-paced circuit. In the past three years, he never finished outside of the top ten in any of the four IMSA sanctioned events he’s competed in at Road America.
The No. 38 Centinel Spine LMP2 takes to the track for the first time Friday, August 2 for a full day of Practice. Saturday sees one final practice followed by qualifying at 2:25 pm ET. The green flag falls on IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Road America Sunday, August 4 at 2:35 pm ET for a two hour and 40-minute sprint race.
Source. Performance Tech Motorsports
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