Level 5, Tucker Leave Homestead on a High Note

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports driver Scott Tucker experienced the highs and lows of racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend in the opening round of the 2010 Ferrari Challenge Series. After a dominating performance in Saturday's event was reduced to a disappointing 10th-place finish due to an on-track infraction, Tucker rebounded in grand style by setting a track record in qualifying and then winning Sunday's race in dominating fashion. He led every lap en route to his first win of the season. "Today is the type of day we were after," Tucker said. "We had to put yesterday behind us and focus on the fact we have the car and team to beat. If we do our jobs on and off the track, we'll have a good day." "You know you've got a great car when you're able to do that," Tucker said. "The Level 5 team put a great car underneath me. It was a privilege to drive that machine. That's what you want to do -- lead every lap and win the race." Tucker set the record qualifying time of 1:27.821 for a speed of 90.593 mph on his third lap during the time trial around the 2.21-mile road course. That time sent a message to the field that not only Saturday's bad luck behind him, but that he was on a mission to continue 2009's winning ways. Tucker's 11 wins last year make him the most successful driver in series history. "Our record speaks for itself. The wins and track records -- those are accomplishments we're very proud of," said Tucker. "But we come to the track with more to prove each weekend and we did that again today." Tucker held off The Collection's Enzo Potolicchio by .425 seconds at the checkered flag. His average speed during the race was 83.740 mph, but he recorded a fast lap of 88.177 mph on lap 6, the second-fastest lap of the race. The Collection's Mike Zoi finished a distant third, 19.392 seconds behind Tucker. Ferrari of Ontario's Rob Metka came home fourth, followed by The Collection's John Devaney. Tucker's Level 5 Motorsports teammate Ted Skokos also leaves Homestead with his head held high. After an impressive, career-best runner-up finish on Saturday at Homestead-Miami, Skokos, in his No. 2 Ferrari F430, earned a second-row starting position with a good qualifying run for Sunday's race. Despite finishing off the pace in 14th, the opening weekend of the 2010 campaign is one to remember for the Texas-based driver. "It was a tough day for us, but we had a pretty good weekend," Skokos said. "We qualified fourth for the second race and were feeling good going into the race. We didn't get the result we wanted, but we're going to take our second-place finish in Saturdays' race on build on that. We were very pleased with that performance. I can't say enough about this Level 5 crew and the great job they've done to prepare these cars." The Level 5 Motorsports crew won't have much time for rest as they move up-state a little ways for the 12 Hours of Sebring next weekend. The open round of the 2010 American Le Mans series will feature Tucker and an impressive cast of co-drivers looking for more success, this time in the Le Mans Prototype Challenge. The green flag for this prestigious event will fall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED. Visit the American Le Mans Series' schedule page for ticket and accommodation information.

ABOUT BOARDWALK

Boardwalk Ferrari, Located in Plano, Tex., is one of the nation's leading Ferrari and Maserati dealerships. The company has extensive involvement in motorsports including relationships in the American Le Mans Series and their extremely successful sponsorship of Level Five Motorsports Ferrari Challenge entry.

ABOUT CROWN ROYAL CANADIAN WHISKY

Crown Royal Canadian whisky is the number one selling Canadian whisky brand in the United States by value, and has a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal Canadian whisky's smooth, elegant style reflects its aristocratic origins and is considered the epitome of Canadian whisky. For more information visit www.crownroyal.com. It's about quality, not quantity.

ABOUT DIAGEO

Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere, responsibly.