Michael Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian ready to take on the 12 Hours of Sebring

Pataskala, Ohio – As the IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship stages Round 2 of the championship at Sebring International Raceway this weekend with the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by “Fresh from Florida”, Michael Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian is eager to take on the iconic circuit with its new Honda-powered Ligier JS P2.

Michael Shank Racing’s No. 60 Tire Kingdom machine will make its 12 Hours of Sebring debut with full-season pilots John Pew and Ozz Negri. Justin Wilson will join the duo for the event which also marks Round 2 of the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup.

We’re thrilled to have Justin (Wilson) back with us for this race.

Mike Shank

Wilson, who won the 2012 Rolex 24 At Daytona with the team, ran with Michael Shank Racing in last year’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring when the squad debuted at the track in the inaugural season of the TUDOR Championship. His experience in P2 machinery (ALMS at Sebring in 2002 & 2004, 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2004) combined with the countless laps he’s driven in IndyCar testing at the track makes Wilson a stout addition to the Sebring line-up.

Following an encouraging fifth place finish in the 24-hour season-opening race at Daytona, the Michael
Shank Racing team anticipates a positive outing at the 3.74-mile airport road course which will favor the high downforce of the P2 car.

With 17 corners at the bumpy, airfield-based circuit, the high-downforce P2 package could pay dividends for the Michael Shank Racing machine, which scored the pole and showed strong potential in the car’s race debut at Daytona.

The team recently spent two days testing the No. 60 Tire Kingdom Ligier JS P2 at Sebring International Raceway and learned a lot about the car and the tough circuit which is one of the most physical tracks on the 2015 calendar. The Shank squad worked through different set ups and took away valuable data in preparation for the classic 12 Hours of Sebring.

“We are very much looking forward to getting back to it at Sebring,” said Team Owner Mike Shank, who recently added his 10,000th follower on Twitter and launched an all-new motorsports television show in Columbus. “We’re thrilled to have Justin (Wilson) back with us for this race. He’s one of the best in the business and he’s been a good friend of the team for many years. This is a very physical track and all three drivers – John (Pew), Ozz (Negri) and Justin (Wilson) - have been training hard to be at their best for this 12 hour race. We found out even more about this car when we tested at Sebring a few weeks ago so we’re excited to see what we can do here this weekend.”

Michael Shank Racing kicked off the Sebring festivities over the weekend with an appearance at the local Sebring Tire Kingdom store. The No. 60 Tire Kingdom car is on display for Tire Kingdom customers and sportscar fans at the store located on 340 US Hwy 27 N in Sebring, Florida through Tuesday at 8PM.

On track action begins on Thursday, March 19 with three practice sessions including a 1 hour and 30 minute night practice. Friday will feature a morning practice as well as a 15 minute qualifying session in the evening.

Michael Shank Racing