Level 5 Motorsports Prepares for Historic Summer Racing Stretch; 8 Races in Six Weeks

Resilience is a strong characteristic of any championship team. Over the next seven weeks, that trait in the Level 5 Motorsports team will be tested stringently.

Level 5 Motorsports Team Manager David Stone, however, isn't the least bit concerned about whether his drivers and crew members will be able to meet the challenge of a historical stretch that sees the team race eight times in six cities, a challenge few teams have undertaken previously.

First up is the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut, on Friday and Saturday, where Scott Tucker and Christophe Bouchut will attempt to extend their lead in the LMP Challenge class standings.

"The one thing about these guys is that they are all absolute racers. That's why they chose this lifestyle," Stone said. "I am really, really happy with the way this team has come together. It's a young team, and they have a lot of heart.

"I know that they're going to do just fine over the next few weeks. From my perspective as a team manager, it shows me who can hang and who will struggle with this kind of stretch. But, from what I've seen with this team, I anticipate all of the guys being able to handle this type of situation very well. Scott has given us all the right equipment and all the resources to get the job done. We will be just fine."

Tucker has beefed up his regular weekly workout routine to ensure that he is in top physical shape.

"To meet the challenge of such a grueling stretch of races, you have got to be able to handle it physically," Tucker said. "I'm working harder than ever to continue to build my stamina. A schedule like that is sure to wear on you, but I'll be ready."

In addition to this weekend's ALMS Series race at Lime Rock Park, other Level 5 Motorsports team members will travel to Watkins Glen International in New York on Wednesday and Thursday for a Ferrari Challenge Series test session at the historic road course. The test session comes in preparation for a pair of races there on September 4 and 5.

Level 5 Motorsports will field two cars in this weekend's event at Lime Rock Park, the No. 55 ORECA FLM09, driven by Tucker and Bouchut, and the No. 95 ORECA FLM09, driven by Tucker and Andy Wallace.

"We've certainly got a lot of things going right now. But, I know this team is up for it," Tucker said. "We will have some guys going to both Watkins Glen and Lime Rock, so it will be a tough week for them. I have no doubt that we will have a successful test at Watkins Glen and then come back and have a successful weekend at Lime Rock. We're really looking forward to the rest of July and August. We've got a lot of racing ahead of us."

The Level 5 ALMS team will take a week off before racing three of the next four weekends in August. In between, however, the Level 5 Ferrari Challenge Series team will be at New Jersey Motorsports Park July 31-August 1, for a pair of races.

"Most of these guys will be on the road for a long stretch. So, we try to give them a few days off here and there," Stone said. "But, everything is based on the situation. If it works out, that is great. If not, they know they've got to do whatever it takes to get ready. That's how dedicated these guys are, and their work doesn't suffer at all. We try to make it as bearable for them as possible."

On August 5-7, the American Le Mans team returns to the track as the series visits Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. On August 20-22, the ALMS team travels to Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. It is then on to Mosport in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, for an event August 27-29.

The Level 5 Ferrari Challenge team then concludes the long stretch of consecutive weekends with the races at Watkins Glen.

Stone has little doubt that the Level 5 Motorsports ALMS team has what it takes to continue its strong championship run in 2010.

"Having been involved in a number of teams that have won championships over the years, I know that this team has what it takes to win one," Stone said. "Scott and Christophe are certainly doing their job in the driver's seat, and the team is giving them winning race cars. We have to keep focused on the next race, however. We can't get ahead of ourselves. Anything can happen."