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Michael Shank Racing Indianapolis test preview

Michael Shank Racing to Take First Laps at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Columbus, OH) 18 August 2009- In over 15 years of formula and endurance sports car competition, Michael Shank Racing has run on some of the greatest tracks across North ...

Published: Oct 2, 2009, 4:21 PM

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Michael Shank Racing to Take First Laps at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

(Columbus, OH) 18 August 2009- In over 15 years of formula and endurance sports car competition, Michael Shank Racing has run on some of the greatest tracks across North America from Mexico City to Montreal to Daytona to Long Beach.

And that list is set to grow once again as the Columbus-based team has been invited to participate in next month's Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The September 3rd test day is open to the public, and will see both Daytona Prototype and Rolex GT Class machinery utilize the two different road course configurations at the famed facility.

The invitation is just another accomplishment for Michael Shank Racing so far in the 2009 season. The No. 6 entry has taken two podiums and currently holds fourth in the Rolex championship with the No. 6 entry one spot ahead of the Penske machine.

"This is great news for us our series and for our team," said team owner Mike Shank. "I hope that the test at the Speedway goes well, and that this leads to us returning there again in the future. I know that anyone who sees what this series has to offer in terms of on-track competition knows how exciting our shows are. Naturally, everyone on this team is looking forward to this opportunity. We are fully focused on our next race in Montreal, but everyone is also looking ahead to being part of the test at Indy in September as well."

Running at the request of Grand Am, the teams and drivers will look to generate as much useful data as possible on the track, which is celebrating its centennial this year. And if the event goes as planned, the test could also see a new driver take to the wheel of the Daytona Prototype.

Team owner Shank, who once himself strove to make it to the Speedway as a driver as he converted formula car championships into an opportunity at the IndyCar level before turning to team ownership, will be even more directly involved with the test than he normally is. If time permits, Shank will not only oversee the team test outing, but he will also strap himself in behind the wheel of his own Daytona Prototype for the first time to knock one of his personal to-do items off his career list and put in some laps at speed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"This is a great opportunity for the team, and I'm also personally really excited about getting the chance to drive at the Speedway," said Shank. "Even though it is only a test, it is something I've wanted to do for as long as I can remember. To get the opportunity to do it in my own car is something that I would have never even imaged would be possible just a few years ago, so I'm all smiles right now!"

-credit: msr

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