ALMS

Road Atlanta: Alex Job Racing final notes

Co-championship Alex Job Racing scored the first co-championship in the history of the American Le Mans Series after winning the GT class in the 1000-mile Petit Le Mans. Lucas Luhr and Sascha Maassen drove a strong race, alternating stints on the ...

Edited: Oct 13, 2002, 4:47 AM

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Co-championship

Alex Job Racing scored the first co-championship in the history of the American Le Mans Series after winning the GT class in the 1000-mile Petit Le Mans. Lucas Luhr and Sascha Maassen drove a strong race, alternating stints on the 2.54-mile Road Atlanta road course. The pair encountered overheating in the No. 23 McKenna Xybernaut Porsche late in the race, but smart pit strategy gave them a two-lap lead and enough to coast to the win.

The team's No. 22 Porsche wasn't as lucky, retiring after four hours with an engine failure. Drivers Jörg Bergmeister, Timo Bernhard and Marc Lieb shared the driving.

Alex Job Racing made a clean sweep of the American Le Mans Series GT class, winning the team and driver titles, the IMSA Cup and manufacturer titles for Porsche and Michelin. Maassen's win gave him a record 15 victories in the series.

Alex Job "It was a nail-biting finish, just incredibly nerve-wracking at the end. The engine started running very hot, both water temperature and oil temperature. We weren't sure it was going to make it to the end, but it did with a two-lap cushion. We're a little sad with the departure of the 22 car, unfortunately it didn't finish. But what a great way to finish the year with the win here, the team championship and co-champions with Sascha and Lucas!"

Lucas Luhr "It was an incredible finish. Everything was fine and then suddenly Sascha came on the radio and said the engine was getting hotter and I thought, 'Not again'. Two years ago, I was leading then two or three minutes from the finish the engine blew up. I'm happy to win this race because I won Sebring three times and never here. Second, I'm really happy we won the championship and to be co-champions is the way to go. In this kind of racing, you lose or win together."

Sascha Maassen "I'm overwhelmed. The qualifying was a little bit tighter than I planned it, so it was the first time my nerves were stretched. Then at the end of the race, the engine temperature went up. We knew we already had the championship, but I also wanted the race win because it's my third time at Atlanta. The win today and 15 wins in the American Le Mans Series ... this day is really remarkable."

-ajr-

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