Millville, NJ (August 31, 2008)–Race tracks are very much like fine wine; they get better with age and time. New Jersey Motorsports Park is a brand new racing facility that offers many great amenities for drivers and fans, but with new tracks, come difficult driving conditions. However, those difficult driving conditions could not keep Scott Tucker's WestFund Boardwalk Ferrari F430 Challenge car from keeping in line with the team's goal of finishing the year in the Top Five season standings for the series.
The 2.25 mile racing surface was slick from not only the dust and dirt, but from temperatures that hit the upper 80's both days. Those warm temperatures brought out oil from the asphalt that had very little grip or rubber on it.
Tucker, who started Saturday's Ferrari Challenge Series race in second position behind Pablo Perez's #14 F430, was not deterred by the slick surface as he continued his steady and consistent driving in the race.
Team Manager, David Stone knew that there was no room for mistakes. "This first Challenge race was crucial. I kept telling Scott, let the race come to us, we have the fastest car out on the track, the key for us is precision and grace."
Tucker took Stone's advice and drove the corners with power and prestige throughout and finished on the podium in second place in that Challenge race. Following this race, Tucker moved from third to second in the Series Championship standings.
In Sunday's Ferrari Challenge Series race, Tucker once again started in second position on the grid where the first nine laps saw a fast and furious three-way battle between Roberta Fata, Mark McKenzie and Tucker. However, on lap 9 Tucker used his precision passing skills to take the lead for good. It was here where he began a dominating performance that saw him widen the lead to nearly 8 seconds over the eventual second place finisher, Mark McKenzie.
WestFund Boardwalk Ferrari F430 Challenge Crew Chief Steve Smith knows his driver takes command late in the race when other drivers wear down or they don't have the skills to drive in tough conditions. "Scott excels towards the end of a race, when things are bad on the track and the dust is thick, Scott is able to excel where other drivers can't, he stays focused under the worst of conditions, this is why he's standing atop the podium today."
Race winner and soon-to-be crowned Series Champion, Roberto Fata has enjoyed going head to head with Tucker today and this season. "Scott Tucker is a great driver and really takes his craft to the next level. I enjoy going side-by-side with him and duking it out. He's the kind of guy I know I can go through a corner with and not worry about getting mixed up in an accident. Today and Saturday, he passed me, I passed him; it went both ways, without a scratch. It's so much fun to race against Scott, he makes me a better driver with the skills he exhibits on track."
"We have had three great days at the track. I'm very proud of what our team accomplished today. The team has worked very hard to make this all possible. We are in a good place for the finals in Italy November 6-9 and we're ready to go, this has been an incredible weekend and I couldn't be happier," Tucker stated.
The final race of the weekend for LevelFive and their eCommLink Crawford GT/ Ferrari V-8 was in the Grand-Am Rolex Series Supercar Life 250. Ed Zabinski, Tucker's co-driver, started the race while Tucker was on the Ferrari Challenge podium. Zabinski, who started 38th, charged through the field lapping cars one by one, driving the eCommLink Crawford GT/ Ferrari V-8 to a third place position when a series of mechanical issues on the engine hampered the efforts of the team. The car had to be taken off track on lap 40 as the crew attempted to resolve the issues with the broken valve and parked the car for the remainder of the race.
Next up for eCommLink Crawford GT/V-8 LevelFive is the Sunchaser 1000k in Salt Lake City, UT Sept. 19-21 at Miller Motorsports Park.
LevelFive competes in the 2008 SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Heartland Park Topeka October 6th through 12th. Tucker and Zabinski will pilot identical Ferrari F360 Challenge cars
The season will be capped off at the famed Mugello Autodromo Internazionale race track in Italy at the Ferrari World Finals, Finali mondiali Ferrari, November 5th through 9th.
About LevelFive Motorsports:
LevelFive Motorsports is a leader in the racing industry. The team participates in the Ferrari Challenge Series and Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 GT division. To be a part of history and get additional information on the team, visit www.L5racing.com
About The Ferrari Challenge Series:
The F430 Challenge Series was created to allow Ferrari racing drivers a chance to compete in a structured competitive environment, racing against other Ferraris on the most challenging race tracks in North America. For additional information, visit www.ferrarichallenge.com
About the Grand-Am Rolex Series:
The Grand American Road Racing Association was established in 1999 to return stability to major league sports car road racing in North America. As the organization begins its ninth season of competition in 2008, Grand-Am is universally regarded as one of the world's most competitive road racing organizations. For additional information, visit www.grand-am.com
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