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TWELVE HOURS OF SEBRING - HIGHLIGHTS & FACTS
Mike and the #31 Whelen Engineering Racing crew topped every session across the weekend
The team claimed an emphatic pole position on Friday afternoon
They led the field away with a good start to the race
Trouble struck in the opening hour with the #31 forced to pit with suspension damage, losing four laps to the leaders
Mike fought back during his stints to regain time
Unfortunately, the car broke down during Mike’s final stint with just under two hours to go
MIKE'S WEEKEND REVIEW
“We came here with a great chance at victory this weekend so to leave with a retirement is, of course, really disappointing. The team did an excellent job all weekend, we were lightning quick and the guys were amazing at getting the car fixed and back out after the drama early on so it’s a shame we couldn’t get them a result they deserved.
“Dropping four laps so early on meant it was always going to be difficult to make our way back through but there was still a long way to go so we kept focused and pushed on as hard as we could. I felt like I maximised everything I could from my stints and kept us in it in case anything happened to the guys in front, which is all we could really do.
“I was nicely settled in the car all race and had a good rhythm towards the end which makes the DNF all the more sad, it’s never nice to have to park up on the side of the track. But again, we showed we definitely had the pace and the speed to go for the win - we just need the luck to fall on our side on race day. We’ve got a big break before Watkins Glen now so there’s plenty of time to reset and come back with full focus on winning there.”
Images courtesy of Action Express Racing.