In mid-March, right after a modest but strong showing at the Rolex 24 at Daytona many weeks earlier, the Level 5 Motorsports team made its LMP2 debut. After winning its LMP class this season, the drivers nabbed the LMP2 distinction. As has become somewhat of a tradition in the past year, the team was working feverishly to finish its entry car in time for the starting flag. In a matter of just days, the Lola Honda was finished and shipped to Florida for its race debut as well as the team’s class debut.
Level 5 drivers Scott Tucker, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Luis Diaz split time commanding the racetrack. Tucker told people in the media that the 12 Hours of Sebring was a “test run” for the Lola Honda, as it had come straight off the assembly floor, but if Sebring was a test, Level 5 Motorsports scored an A . Even in the face of a very few mishaps and issues, the drivers drove strong and finished strong, making up for any mistakes with skillful maneuvering around turns and careful, strategic straightaway shots. The Level 5 Motorsports team secured an LMP2 victory, reliving their LMP success from the previous year. Tucker also won the Champion Driver award at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2010.
The Lola Honda wasn’t the quickest car through the straights, but she shined when the track started to bend. Tucker and Diaz made the first rounds of the Sebring International Speedway and made clear their class dominance in the beginning. Strong showings from the drivers on the first 2 legs of the race still left work to be done by Hunter-Reay, a Florida native. Hunter-Reay drove a terrific leg, recovering plenty of time for the team and ultimately whizzing beyond the finish line in front of the pack.
“The team had some issues but made up for lost time,” Tucker said. “Ryan had a grew last few laps.” Although the Lola Honda was barely finished before tackling a notoriously grueling 12-hour race, the car didn’t show any signs of fatigue or wear at race’s end. The team didn’t face any mechanical issues, and nary a scratch was visible on the body at the end of the day. “We’re pleased with the vehicle performance,” Tucker said. “We knew we had a great car, and we’re eager to see what we can do with it.”
The Level 5 team, and other entries, donned Japan stickers on their cars to honor the nation after the earthquake and tsunami that had occurred in time leading up to the Sebring race.
Reaching podium on the first ALMS appearance of the year was the start Level 5 Motorsports wanted getting into Sebring. With plenty races to come before the championship Petit le Mans in October, they had a lot of work in front of them, plenty of miles to drive, and a lot of potential for successes to arrive.
Scott Tucker, a five-time national driving champion Scott Tucker .
