Both the final races produce extra points, ... So it is far from over. We know how strong the No. 23 car has been over the years. We can't settle down and become content. |
Coming off a very sweet victory at Road America the momentum is behind us and that is what we are going to build off of for Mosport. We're still improving and that's the most fun. Every weekend we spend together as a team we gain confidence. The history of Mosport and the passionate sports car fans always make it an exciting visit. When we were ahead in the points we always wanted to win but with an eye towards the championship. Then, after Portland, our strategy became win at all cost. Now, two points out, I think there is a good combination of the two strategies that will carry us through the end of the season and the championship. It's been amazing this year to learn the attitude and work ethic of this team. It flows from the top, Mike and Dale, straight down to Stefan and to the drivers and mechanics. Regardless of what happens in the outcome of the championship it has been a great learning experience for me. |
Found out Wednesday that he would be racing in the World Challenge event. On the restart, I thought I might be able to race with these guys here, but they were too tough. I just tried to hole on to finish third. |
I can't say enough about this Porsche. This car is indestructible. (The points race) is never over until it's over, and we don't talk about it until it's over. Winning Petit Le Mans is a big feather in my cap and the rest of the team. |
I had a good start and was able to negotiate the traffic to keep the car in the lead. The car was handling great and the Porsche power was keeping me out front. When the caution came on lap 30 we had just passed pit entry and we were beaten to the stop by a few cars. The team did a fast pit stop and Mike was able to make up ground. He was the man on the last lap, a great battle and a great win for the team. |
I had the mentality that I wasn't going to give this one up. It would have been interesting if he would have made a run. We've shown that we can run with them. For race victories, we've been chasing them. It was another great one. For a single car team from Las Vegas going against the guys from AJR, that's something else. |
I'm full of praise for Jorg. For his incredible first stint, followed-up with the team's ever impressive pit stops. What could have been with the fight and the 23 car? Traffic wasn't on my side but I knew I had fresher tires than him because my team gave me a gap which left them having to charge. Towards the end of the race my priority was to bring the car home and make sure the fuel lasted until the end. Unfortunately, with less than two laps to go, something gave in the rear and I was left to consider what would have been while I was in the grass. On my way back to the pits in the safety car, the workers turned around, simultaneously, and told me we were on the top of the podium. Since then I have been in shock and utter disbelief. I can't say enough about the team's effort and my co-driver. I look forward in continuing on in the quest for the championship and those final two races. |
It was tough and interesting out there. |
Mike Gue and I go back to my karting days when I raced with James, his son, ... So it was natural that one of the first calls we made would be to Essex. They had a seat available and we were happy to fill it. |
The emotion at the time was instantaneous shock, ... I thought the race was gone from our hands. Needless to say, I was completely shocked in the emergency vehicle when they said I was needed on the top step of the podium. I'm extremely thrilled. Can't say enough about the job Jorg did. It was an incredible stint, and the guys did a great job in the pits. |
The race was, overall, pretty good. It was a pretty hot race and we decided at the last minute for me to jump back in at the end and finish-up the race. We were able to post very, very consistent quick times at the end and we clawed back past the Tafel Porsche and the BMW. The team did a great job with the setup. We were able to have a great pace. All is well that ends well. The car is in one piece and we look forward to moving on to Virginia. |
This will be my first time running the long course. So there will be a learning curve running a DP for the first time on a track that I haven't run before. I ran on the NASCAR circuit earlier this year so I know that Watkins Glen lives up to all the hype and then some. |
Tomorrow tire conservation is going to be tricky with the surface changes and all concrete on the track. I think we have done a good job and Jorg put in a great lap. We are always nipping on their heels in qualifying and that is the way we like it. But the real result up for grabs is tomorrow. |
When the idea came up to drive in the DP with Pat I was thrilled. I am just elated that Porsche has looked at the big picture and realized this is a great experience for me. And I am very grateful to Pat for the experience. This is my first time driving in any kind of prototype. I'm looking forward to learning this weekend as much as I am having fun. Both Pat and I are going to take a calm, methodical approach and just soak it all up and enjoy the experience. Obviously, with my single-seater and karting background, I've been itching to get back into one of these types of racecars. So it will rekindle some of the emotion of a fast, stiff racecar. But, my main objective is to win with Porsche in the GT classes. |