Level 5 Team Has Strong Qualifying Run For The 12-Hours Of Sebring

Sebring, Mar. 19, 2011: After a hectic week preparing a pair of brand new Honda-Powered Lolas for the American Le Mans Series and Intercontinental Le Mans Cup seasons, three-time National Champion Scott Tucker and the Level 5 Motorsports team made a powerful start to the 2011 American Le Mans Series season with a strong qualifying run today for the 12 Hours of Sebring — one of the world’s most prestigious sports car races. With Luis Diaz behind the wheel, the No. 055 Microsoft Office 2010 Honda-powered Lola Spyder qualified second with a top time of 1:57.168. The team’s No. 33 Microsoft Office 2010 Lola Coupe was plagued by mechanical issues and will roll off the grid in fourth position.

“We’ve put a lot of work in getting both cars ready,” Tucker said. “We want to be up front with both cars, but this is a long race. We’ll be in great shape for the race Saturday.”

Tucker will drive both Level 5 Motorsports’ No. 33 and No. 055 cars this weekend and he has a strong set of co-drivers. He will team with three-time FIA GT winner Christophe Bouchut and Portugal’s Joao Barbosa in the No. 33, and Diaz and IZOD IndyCar star Ryan Hunter-Reay in the No. 055 for the historic endurance event at Sebring International Raceway.

“We are looking at the progress of the team and the car,” Diaz said. “We are making good progress every time we are out there. The crew has really worked hard and we expect that to pay off Saturday.”

“We have plenty of history at this track,” Tucker said. “We will be ready for the green flag. We have an amazing team and I have every confidence in our guys. Plus, with the talented drivers on the roster, we will be ready for this world-class field.”

Both the No. 055 and No. 33 teams have a proven track record in ALMS competition. Tucker established his dominance in 2010 when he won the ALMS LMPC title, and was named the ALMS Rookie of the Year. That Championship run began with a win here last year in the team’s first effort in the 12-Hours of Sebring.

“This is a one of the world’s most grueling events,” said Tucker. “The track, the competition — you face so many challenges here. When you get to the podium in this race, you know you have really accomplished something.”

The 12 Hours of Sebring will begin at 10:30 a.m. (ET) Saturday, March 19. The action will broadcast live on ESPN3.com beginning at 10:15 a.m. A recap show will be broadcast on ABC the following day, March 20, at 12:30 p.m (ET).