Level 5 Qualifies on Pole in ALMS Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock, Sets New Course Record

Bouchut, Tucker Turn in Record-Setting Qualifying Runs at Lime Rock
In a very soggy day at the track, Scott Tucker and Christophe Bouchut turned in impressive qualifying runs at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut, Friday afternoon. Tucker ran a solid lap of 1:05.617 and qualified the No. 95 Level 5 Motorsports ORECA FLM09 at fourth in Saturday's Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix. Bouchut led the field for the session, qualifying the No. 55 Level 5 Motorsports ORECA FLM09 in the first spot with a new-course record time of 1:03.020 for the LMP Challenge class.

Tucker will team with Bouchut, in the No. 55. He will also spend time behind the wheel of the No. 95 car with teammate Andy Wallace. During the afternoon practice session, Bouchut put up the best-in-class lap time in the No. 55 LMPC Oreca FLM09. His time of 1:04.980 put him at the top for the session. Bouchut overcame a spin in wet conditions and rallied to start in first in class.

Tucker and Bouchut come into this weekend's 2-hour, 45-minute race having won three of the first four ALMS events in 2010. They have taken checkered flags at Sebring, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Miller Motorsports Park while finishing second on the Streets of Long Beach, California.

The duo has an 11-point lead in the LMPC standings over Gunnar Jeannette before starting the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix. The 1.5-mile, 10-turn road course has developed a reputation as a track where passing comes at a premium. That is what made Friday's qualifying session so crucial.

"Starting up front in the LMP Challenge class was a priority because it's very difficult to pass at this track," Tucker said.
Both Tucker and Bouchut will make their first starts at historic Lime Rock Park this weekend.

The green flag is scheduled to wave on the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix on Saturday at 2:05 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live on the SPEED Channel beginning at 2 p.m. ET, with a re-broadcast scheduled for Sunday at midnight.

The American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix is the fifth of nine races in the American Le Mans Series in 2010. Events remain at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (August 5-7), Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin (August 20-22), Mosport in Canada (August 27-29), and the Petit Le Mans endurance race in Braselton, Georgia (September 29-October 2).