Tucker Topples Yet Another Record, Remains on T1 Provisional Pole for SCCA National Championship Run

ELKHART LAKE, Wis. -- Scott Tucker enjoys breaking records. Especially if they are his own.

Wednesday morning saw the driver of the Level 5 Motorsports No. 55 Ferrari Challenge 430 set a Touring 1 class record with a fast lap of 2:20.266 (102.662 mph) during the second day of qualifying for the 47th SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Road America. He eclipsed the previous standard of 2:20.795 he set Monday at the 14-turn, 4.048-mile road course, to remain on the provisional pole.

The final 20-minute qualifying session is set for 2 p.m. Thursday, after which the field for Sunday's race will be set. The green flag is scheduled to wave on the 47th SCCA National Championship Runoffs on Sunday beginning at 8:30 a.m.

"We keep getting faster each day. That's obviously the goal during these qualifying sessions," said Tucker, who is attempting to win his second consecutive T1 national championship this weekend. "The Level 5 Motorsports team keeps finding more speed and we're able to get more out of the car as the week goes along. We are having a lot of fun out there."

Last September, Tucker made history at Road America by setting the fastest race lap, qualifying on the pole, leading all but two laps and, ultimately, winning the T1 race. His outstanding performance earned him his first national championship.

Tucker continues to the top a solid and experienced field of drivers. John Buttermore, driving a Dodge Viper, finished Wednesday's qualifying session in second with a lap of 2:21.358, more than a second behind Tucker. Jim Lynch was third, followed by 11-time SCCA national champion John Heinricy.

"The competition here is pretty fierce. There are a lot of great cars, drivers and teams," said Level 5 Motorsports Team Manager David Stone. "Scott goes out each time with a lot of tenacity and determination. His experience is certainly paying off."

Fans can watch Tucker defend his national title as Sunday's finals will be broadcast live on SpeedcastTV.com.