Level 5 Motorsports Sets New Course Record in Capturing Pole at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

Scott Tucker and the Level 5 Motorsports team set a new track record in qualifying and will start on the pole at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, in Saturday's Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge. The No. 55 Level 5 Motorsports Microsoft Office 2010-sponsored Le Mans Prototype Challenge entry driven by Christophe Bouchut ran a fastest lap of 115.906 for a best-in-class lap.

Bouchut raced to an early lead in the qualifying session, then was passed by Tucker in the No. 95 entry. The teammates traded the point several times. Then, with about about 10 minutes remaining, Bouchut set the fastest lap time and held on to take the pole position.

"It is a nice feeling again to be on pole position," Bouchut said. "The car is running very well today, and thanks to Level 5 for the hard work. One of the challenges tomorrow will be getting around other cars. The traffic in the U.S. is very hard to predict. It's very hard for us to overtake and that is a challenge at each circuit. It's important not to make mistakes when you try to overtake."

The result was especially satisfying for two reasons. First, the car was almost completely rebuilt after it suffered damage during the race at Lime Rock Park in late July. Second, the car suffered a power loss with Tucker behind the wheel during today's practice session immediately prior to qualifying. He pulled the car off and stopped at Turn 9.

"The car just lost power," Tucker said. "I think we were actually tapped by a GT car causing the No. 55 to hit the wall."

The car was taken to the paddock for repairs on the back of a truck, but was ready in time to qualify for tomorrow's race.

Tucker qualified the No. 95 car sixth in the LMPC class, with a time of 1:18.339.

"This team bounced back after some technical difficulties," Tucker said. "We'll come out even stronger tomorrow. We will be looking for a win in tomorrow's race, which will increase our lead in the point standings."

When the green flag waves Saturday, Tucker will team with Bouchut in the No. 55. He will also perform double duty while racing behind the wheel of the No. 95 with teammate Andy Wallace.

This is the third pole the team has won during the 2010 ALMS season. They also claimed three 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 a four-point lead in the LMPC standings over Gunnar Jeannette.

This weekend's event will be broadcast on a tape-delayed basis on CBS, August 15, 2010 at 12:30 p.m. ET.

ALMS events remain at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin (August 20-22), Mosport in Canada (August 27-29), and the Petit Le Mans endurance race at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia (September 29-October 2).

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