After showcasing its IMSA WeatherTech and INDYCAR SERIES programs in a pair of classic Florida races to open 2022 competition, Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) is set for its first dual-action weekend of the year with trips to Sebring International Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway.
After opening the year by winning the 60th edition of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, MSR’s IMSA sports car team is set for another iconic Florida endurance event, Saturday’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.
MSR will also visit Texas Motor Speedway after coming off a challenging showing in the IndyCar season opener on the streets of St. Petersburg last month. Team co-owner Mike Shank will also be ‘doing the double’ as he will be in Sebring until Friday before flying to Texas for Saturday & Sunday.
Meyer Shank Racing Looking for Second Straight Victory at Sebring Classic
Driver Lineup:
Tom Blomqvist, Oliver Jarvis & Stoffel Vandoorne: No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Acura ARX-05 DPi
Ten years after a breakthrough victory in the 50th Rolex 24 At Daytona, Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian’s four drivers combined for a convincing victory as IndyCar regulars Helio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud joined Oliver Jarvis and Tom Blomqvist to repeat at Daytona.
With Castroneves unable to step in as endurance driver in Sebring due to the Texas IndyCar conflict, Stoffel Vandoorne will be the third driver this weekend. This will be the IMSA debut for Vandoorne, a former Formula 1 and current Formula E competitor. He has five WEC podium finishes in 2021 co-driving with Blomqvist, with the pair sharing second in the LMP2 championship.
MSR had its best showing at Sebring last year, when Juan Pablo Montoya, Dane Cameron and Olivier Pla took third in only the second outing for the No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Acura ARX-05.
Saturday marks the 70th anniversary of the Sebring classic, staged on runways and adjoining road on a World War II training airport. MSR first competed in the event in 2014, finishing ninth with Ozz Negri, John Pew and Justin Wilson in a Ford Riley DP.
Driver Quotes:
Tom Blomqvist: “Obviously we are carrying a lot of momentum from our win at Daytona, so we’d like to use that to our benefit heading to Sebring. It’s a completely different race and challenge. It’s probably one of the toughest tracks on the cars and us drivers that we will visit all year. We had a good two days preparation for the event so we’re confident. We just have to have a clean race and stay out of trouble, basically do exactly what we did at Daytona. It’s also great to have Stoffel onboard, I know him very well. Not only are we great friends but we raced together last year in WEC, so we have a good working relationship. I know he will bring his performance to the table and be a great asset to the team.”
Oliver Jarvis: “After a dream start to the season in Daytona, we head to Sebring full of confidence and ready to build on our successful start. Unfortunately, Helio is unable to join us as he is busy with his IndyCar commitments, but in Stoffel we have the perfect replacement and after a successful two day test in February I have no doubt that he will be immediately on pace and bring a lot to the team. We know the Cadillacs are exceptionally strong in Sebring, but I am looking forward to taking the fight to them and as we know anything can happen in 12hrs at one of the toughest tracks in the world.”
Stoffel Vandoorne: “I’m very excited to get to work in Sebring. It was nice to have at least one test day in the car especially for me as I have never driven this car and I have also never driven Sebring before. We were actually very lucky to get a little but of running for me before the race. I felt comfortable straight away, with the car and with the circuit. It’s for sure a very challenging track with a lot of bumps and there will be a lot of traffic to deal with during the race as well. Obviously, the team won the race in Daytona and I hope we will be able to carry that momentum forward. I don’t really know what to expect but I just hope to do a solid job for the team.”
Source. Sunday Group
Comments
