Pickett Racing ready for another California battle

INDIANAPOLIS - Muscle Milk Pickett Racing is returning next week to the scene of one of its most dominating races last season with the team traveling to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the third round on the 2013 American Le Mans Series schedule.

#6 Muscle Milk Pickett Racing HPD ARX-03a: Klaus Graf, Lucas Luhr

Photo by: Jeff Davidson

After a not so satisfying start to the year in Sebring, the 2012 P1 Champions gained some momentum with their record-setting third win in a row on the streets of Long Beach a few weeks ago and are now looking forward to continuing where they left off last year at Laguna Seca.

During its 2012 visit to the 2.238-mile, 11-turn road course, the team, led by drivers Klaus Graf and Lucas Luhr, took the win in the six-hour event with a three lap lead on its closest on track rival.

While the team is confident its Michelin-clad, #6 Muscle Milk HPD ARX-03a will once again be a strong contender in what is now a four-hour event, it also knows that the competition will be more difficult this time around.

However, no matter the level of difficulty, the Muscle Milk squad is always up for the challenge. The Greg Pickett-led team will also have a little extra motivation to do well, as the California event is also the home event for its sponsor Muscle Milk whose headquarters are located about 100 miles away in Benicia, CA.

The team will be looking to come out of the weekend with the outright lead in the P1 Championship standings after tying with Rebellion Racing for first place following the previous round.

Lucas Luhr, who is currently tied with Olivier Beretta for most career ALMS wins with 42, is the driver with the most wins at Laguna Seca with six. The German also holds the record for multiple wins at 11 different venues.

It will be the sixth ALMS visit for the team to the Monterey area track. In addition to last season's win, they also have two second place finishes.

On track activities kick off Thursday, May 9 with the promoter test session, while official practice gets underway Friday morning with qualifying later that day. The four-hour American Le Mans Monterey race will go green at 3:30 pm PT Saturday, May 11.

Qualifying and the race will be streamed live on ESPN3.com with tape delayed coverage airing on ESPN2, Sunday, May 12 at 4:00 pm ET.

Pickett Racing