Tucker / Level 5 Qualify Strong, Look For Continued Success in Utah

Level 5 Motorsports drivers Scott Tucker and Christophe Bouchut entered the American LeMans Series Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix atop the point standings and with every intention of staying there. After a strong qualifying run, they appear ready to do just that.

Tucker and Bouchut will start second in the LMPC class just two-tenths of a second behind Gunnar Jeannette and Christian Zugel. The Level 5 drivers lead the LMPC standings by seven points over Jeannette and Elton Julian coming into Sunday's 2 hour, 45-minute race.

"This is a tough, demanding race," Tucker said. "It's hard to pass so you need to have a good starting position. We've done that so now we have to prepare to get it done under race conditions."

Tucker will drive the No. 55 ORECA FLM09 prototype with Bouchut for Level 5. He will again see double-duty as he shares the driving responsibilities with veteran Andy Wallace in team's second LMPC entry, the No. 95.

Wallace, who competed for Level 5 at Mazda Raceway Leguna Seca in May, finished third last month in the LMP2 class in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world's most prestigious and competitive sports car race. That podium finish added to an already impressive resume that includes three Rolex 24 At Daytona championships, two wins in the 12 Hours of Sebring and one Petit LeMans victory.

"I'm thrilled to have Andy back in the car with us," Tucker said. "He's been a great asset to the team."

The American LeMans Series pays a visit to the Miller Motorsports Park road course in Tooele, Utah, where Tucker won earlier this year and finished second in another race in the Ferrari Challenge Series. The track is one of the longest road courses on the American LeMans Series schedule. With a 14-turn layout, the track is 3.05 miles in length.

"We know the course well," Tucker said. "Some of the corners are very challenging and you're racing into them at high speeds. You have to find the places to pass and be prepared to take advantage of any opportunity you get."

 

The green flag is scheduled to drop for the Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix at 4:35 p.m. ET Sunday with television coverage provided by SPEED.