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ALMS P2 - Dempsey Racing Race Report


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ELKHART LAKE, Aug. 21, 2012: Posting the highest race finish yet for Dempsey Racing’s new American Le Mans Series (ALMS) presented by Tequila Patrón P2 program in only the team’s fourth race, Patrick Dempsey and Joe Foster finished second Saturday in the Road American Road Race Showcase co-driving the No. 27 Trina Solar/GNC Beverages/Motegi Racing Lola-Judd.

Driving just under the final two hours of the four-hour endurance race, Dempsey was once again at the wheel of the No. 27 at the checkered flag for a milestone team result. He also drove to the finish when he and Foster co-drove to a then career-best third-place P2 showing last month in the Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park. Saturday’s result also saw Dempsey and Foster finish ninth overall in what turned out to be just over a 400-mile race on the 4.048-mile Road America circuit.

"Of course, we are very happy to get another step up on the podium from Lime Rock, it was a great day for the team as we continue to learn and progress,” Dempsey said. “I was able to get in the car in great track position and the late race cautions let us stretch the fuel window to the finish without having to put Joe back in. The crew did fantastic pit stops and we continue to learn more and more about the car, the great Michelin tires and the P2 class in general. I can't wait to drive this car some more!"

Dempsey Racing is in its first partial season of development with the new P2 program. Saturday’s result at Road America is the team’s best showing to date after previous races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Lime Rock and Mid-Ohio.

Foster, who raced despite some lingering soreness in his ribs and right ankle after being knocked into a retaining wall in an accident one week earlier at Watkins Glen, drove the first two hours and 10 minutes of the race. He pitted to turn the No. 27 over to Dempsey second in P2, third overall and on the lead lap. At one 30-minute point at mid-race, the Trina Solar/GNC Beverages/Motegi Racing car was lapping at the same pace and just four seconds behind the more established No. 95 Level 5 P2 entry of Luis Diaz.

"I'm very proud of the team as we had near perfect strategy calls from the pit box and the car was great in traffic,” Foster said. “We ended up on the lead lap in P2 just past half distance and did benefit from the misfortune of others as far as the finishing order. It’s important to note, however, that before anyone in the class had problems, we were only one lap down to the leaders after three-and-a-half-hours of racing at this awesome track. The whole weekend was a job well done by Patrick and the entire team. In general, both through qualifying and races, we are getting closer and closer to the leaders pace at each event.”

 
 
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