NASCAR
You are currently browsing the articles from Matt Levens matching the category NASCAR.
The Level 5 Motorsports team is certainly not relentless. Relentless within their determination, relentless in their speed, and relentless in their ability to win. Only such a team could finish the way the Scott Tucker-owned, Microsoft Office-sponsored did at the Long Beach, Calif., street circuit. The No. 55 Le Mans Prototype Challenge entry set a record on the Long Beach track, a notoriously challenging circuit for drivers. The Level 5 team went on to finish second in the race, a podium finish that secured Tucker and co-driver Christophe Bouchut’s top rankings in overall point standings.
The team was happy with its performance at Long Beach, one of the toughest tracks on the Level 5 schedule. The momentum they built less than a month earlier winning the 12 Hours of Sebring in LMP2 was amped considerably with the historic finish in California. The Long Beach track has a history of causing race difficulties because it is slick and doesn’t provide much opportunity to pass. Additionally, any track becomes challenging as races wear on and conditions become dirtier, but Long Beach’s narrow lanes exacerbate the challenge considerably.
Emphasizing driving smart and preserving the car isn’t easy at triple-digit speeds with a running clock, but the Level 5 drivers know what they’re doing. Bouchut, who delivered the record-breaking qualifying run, is a veteran racer and one of the extremely successful endurance drivers on earth. He won three FIA GT titles and an FFSA GT championship-making him the only triple FIA GT champion in history. Tucker, though an ALMS rookie in 2010, has never relented in his near-perfect performances, balanced precision and complete command of the track. Case in point: He won Champion Driver in 2010.
Bouchut took the wheel and fought Gunnar Jeannette both in qualifying and finals. Jeannette ultimately pulled ahead of Bouchut just at the finish line, but Bouchut maintains his record for fastest lap in the LMPC class, during lap 56. Tucker had delivered negative splits during his laps on the track. He managed brilliant maneuvers even through traffic, which set up the Level 5 team well enough to be a formidable challenger for the No. 1 spot and ultimately clinch the No. 2 spot in the race-Level 5′s second consecutive podium finish in the season, a monumental start for the team’s 2011 year.
Without remaining ALMS contests until mid-year, the showing at Long Beach was a significant benchmark for the Level 5 Motorsports team. The outstanding success despite the difficulty of the track was a telling indicator of the strength and winning ability of the drivers and the team. The approaching weeks brings another California competition, this time around in Sonoma in the Ferrari Challenge series.
Want to find more about celebrity driver Scott Tucker Scott Tucker
Written by Jesse Schwarck on December 21st, 2011 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on NASCAR.
Scott Tucker, owner and driver for Level 5 Motorsports, has made history this weekend at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs. By taking the victory lap, he nabbed his third consecutive SCCA titles, an historical feat that only a select few drivers have ever accomplished.
During 2009, the Runoffs classic occured the first time in Elkhart Lake, Wisc., its sixth place since it began. The area was in close proximity to Level 5 Motorsports’ home base in Madison, Wisc. The team, which Tucker started in 2008, had been young but had enjoyed some terrific accomplishment already in the 2009 season. Tucker competed and won in the Hawk Performance Touring 1 race.
His No. 55 Ferrari 430 Challenge had the pole position to begin, and then he led the T1 field through turn one. In turn 2, he lost the top placement to rival John Buttermore, of Pontiac, Mich., who eventually makes podium behind Tucker. Tucker was hot on the tail of Buttermore’s Nearbrook Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, keeping his 2nd place standing even with pressure from behind in driver Lance Knupp of Fenton, Mich., the 3rd driver to eventually reach the podium that day.
The top three drivers fought it out throughout the race. Tucker followed Buttermore closely, waiting for an opportunity to overtake him. In turn five, Buttermore’s mistake became Tucker’s window, and Tucker passed him to regain the lead in lap four, just before turn six.
Tucker didn’t look back for the remainder of the 13-lap, 52-mile race. As soon as he crossed the checkered flag, Tucker had sped to a 1.42-second lead for the first place finish in his first Runoffs appearance. Along the way, he recorded the quickest lap of the race, with a 2:22.000 lap while in the competition.
“Both Buttermore and Knupp were formidable competitors for the duration of the race,” Tucker said. “I was caught sleeping for a second there, when Buttermore overtook me, but he got a little wide in turn five, and I was able to take advantage of that. It really could have been anyone’s podium today; both of those guys put up strong, consistent races. I had to be continuously focused because I knew if I made a mistake, either one of them would be right there to pick it up.”
Soon after Tucker overtook Buttermore, the Chevrolet lost stability as a result of braking, which helped Knupp’s No. 37 Dodge Viper to operate into the second-place spot. Even as Buttermore decelerated the pace, he still achieved the third-place podium finish.
In ’09, Tucker had been in the middle of proving himself a top-notch driver in just his 3rd yr of professional racing. His decisive victory at the Runoffs, considered one of the very best sports vehicle races on the planet, added to his growing number of victories in ’09. Going into this year’s Runoffs, Tucker was a different driver; he had not only two Runoffs wins under his belt, but a variety of other first-place and podium finishes from 5 various racing series. The 2009 SCCA Runoffs at Elkhart Lake, Wisc., were the start of 2 years of intense achievements for Tucker and the Level 5 Motorsports team.
Find more on Scott Tucker racing Scott Tucker .
Written by Sarah Barnes on December 8th, 2011 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on NASCAR.
Perhaps you are in an “empire state of mind” or must reconcile for living “a hard-knock life.” Either way, it really is difficult to comprehend hip-hop music without being tuned into Jay Z. Born Shawn Corey Carter has develop into one of the industry’s genuine tales, modifying himself into not simply a artist, but also a record producer, apparel manufacturer, entrepreneur, part-time professional actor and partial manager of the NBA’s New Jersey Nets.
When he steps onto the stage, finding the best tickets can be one of the most difficult things to do. Whether belting out his classics in Brooklyn or touring with Eminem, Snoop Dogg or U2, Shawn Carter puts on a show that is a must-see.
With a career that spans almost the entire history of rap music, Jay Z is an icon in the industry. Performing with legends such as Notorious B.I.G., Dr Dre and Sean “Diddy” Combs, he has established himself as one of the most diversified performers in the genre.
Regardless of whether singing on stage along with his wife Beyonce Knowles, establishing the Rocawear apparel line or producing television shows, this entertainer will most definitely produce a hit. This really is one of the fantastic artists in rap music, and acquiring Jay Z tickets ensures the chance to experience a great once-in-a-lifetime performance.
This performer will continue to redefine his music and his ability to relate with audiences. This wide range of flexibility makes it easy for Jay Z to routinely keep his music fresh and appropriate, while developing the kinds of hits which has kept supporters coming back for over twenty-five years. Allowing zero “reasonable doubt” about his musical capabilities, finding tickets is becoming tougher to find every year as brand new multitudes of supporters figure out that “big pimpin” is something that this legendary musician has been destined to achieve.
Looking to find the best deals on Book Of Mormon tickets? Visit www.YourTixx.com for tickets to the top Broadway shows such as The Lion King and much more!
Written by Sheila Marks on December 8th, 2011 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on NASCAR.
Scott Tucker is certainly an excellent race car driver, however when you add the fact that he competes not just in the ALMS and the ILMS but also the Ferrari Challenge series, Tucker becomes an unbelievable race car driver-unbelievable not merely due to the schedule he keeps, but due to his continual success on the track. The first FC race of the 2011 year for Tucker and his Level 5 Motorsports team was the debut of the Ferrari 458 Challenge-the 5th model to be used since the series began in early 90s-at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.
The 458 model was a new comer to the race, but Tucker plus the car were old friends. He tested the automobile exclusively in Spain the last fall and again at the 12 Hours of Sebring weekend in the spring of 2011. The Ferrari 458 model is lighter and quicker when compared to its Italia 458 counterpart. The vehicle boasts 570 horsepower; 9,000 RPM direct injection V8 engine, and its gearbox is modified to extend torque at lower revolutions. The car is also furnished with a top-quality traction control system that was produced by Ferrari. The device is based on logic and techniques from Ferrari’s experience in the Formula One series.
Tucker entered the 2011 FC season with four wins on the Infineon course, which covers approximately 2.5 miles with 12 turns. Overall, the Level 5 team fared well in the weekend’s pair of FC races. “We came out with two cars, but because we were trying a new product with a new seat, it caused some issues with technical people here, so we pulled out one car,” said team manager David Stone. “The car we were able to run didn’t get the new gearbox update, so we’ve been tentative about that.”
But a race car is just as good as the sum of all its parts-and one of those parts is the operater. Tucker started the first race in fifth place. After some contact around the first corner, he bunkered down and worked his way up the rankings. His smart driving earned Level 5 a first-place ranking. “We extremely happy we got the win here with our 458 car,” said one engineer.
“I was trying to get up as fast as I could without making contact or being too aggressive,” said Tucker. “We had a good car, and fortunately it worked out for us in the end.”
The next of the FC pair wasn’t as seamless as its predecessor; Level 5 decided not to qualify because of a first-lap penalty the previous day. “We have a double whammy where we started in the back and we had another penalty,” Stone said. “Scott will have his work cut out for him. Getting on the podium is a tall order on this track.”
As well as the penalties and race placement, Tucker and the Level 5 team had to face the challenge of a shorter race-the clock ran approximately 10 minutes short in 2011 compared to previous years. “There will be a little less time to work toward the front, but it is what it is, and the goal will be to come out of here with as many points as we can,” Stone stated.
Tucker delivered a stellar performance in spite of the hiccups, weaving through traffic efficiently with the front of the line his unwavering goal. Even so the 458 car started last, Tucker brought it over the line sixth, no small feat considering the circumstances. “It was a good race; we started last and finished sixth with no damage to the car,” Tucker said. “It’s about as good as you can do.”
With a solid performance again in May at the first FC series race of the year, Tucker continued on his whirlwind race schedule with an ILMC stop in Belgium for the Spa.
Keeping up with Scott Tucker Scott Tucker.
Written by Kyla Sweeney on December 5th, 2011 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on NASCAR.
Coming off exciting test finishes in the Roar prior to the 24, Scott Tucker-owned Level 5 Motorsports had another thing planned: Make Daytona count. One of the greatest races of the season, the Daytona 24 also was the very first on Level 5′s schedule, and the team wasted virtually no time entering a fantastic mindset.
“We brought the dogs to the hunt,” said team manager David Stone. “Hopefully they’ll do a great job; it’d be huge for this team to come off the start of the year with a huge win at a race like Daytona.”
The Microsoft Office-sponsored Level 5 entered its No. 95 and No. 55 in the race, which began at 3:30 in the afternoon, running through the night and into the next day. Temperature variation and daylight are additional factors a team must consider beyond the usual race checklist at a 24-hour stint.
To get an idea of the winning mindset of Level 5 Motorsports, consider this: Tucker and his team declined to qualify the two cars in the race, accepting the dead-last start position over spending pre-race time in a qualifier. Said a mechanic: “Qualifying for a 24-hour race is completely meaningless. Anything that’s not directly related to winning this race, we’re going to opt out of.”
Early in the race, Tucker’s No. 95 got caught in a stack-up near the end of the pack, forcing it to head to pit. Cornered in with no exit available, the bump couldn’t be avoided-a frustrating turn of events for the Level 5 team. Tucker got back on the track in enough time to make up some for the loss before passing the wheel to his teammates.
Christophe Bouchut maneuvered the Level 5 car towards the front of the pack and held there for a few laps. “Things were running very well, and lap after lap was great,” Bouchut reported. Bouchut is one of the most successful endurance drivers and a past winner of the Daytona 24. He’s been with the Level 5 team since its 2008 season and earned his 100th career victory a year ago.
Before Luis Diaz took over just after the sun went down, he told commentators he was looking forward to the lap. The very first driver of the team to experience the lower temperatures , Luis entered the track after having a great pit stop. The race was his debut with Level 5 Motorsports. Previously, he had been voted “Most Popular Driver” in 2009. “Scott Tucker really puts together a great driver lineup,” said a commentator. Not only is the roster stacked with talent and skill, but the driver order maximizes the Level 5 team’s achievement, with consistency throughout.
Although Tucker’s entire team delivered outstanding performances, it wasn’t quite enough to get Level 5 on the podium. The Madison, Wisc.-based team finished 8th overall. “This team has really grown,” said a commenter. “[The finish] doesn’t show any lack of determination, mechanical ability or driving ability. It’s just a tough race to win, and we’re looking forward to a great season.”
After closing up the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Level 5 team looked ahead to a race half its time, the 12 Hours of Sebring
.
Learn more about Scott Tucker at the Rolex 24 Scott Tucker
Written by Katherine Waters on December 5th, 2011 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on NASCAR.
There are many things different about this year’s Mazda Laguna Seca race. For all drivers, the weather has been uncharacteristically chilly throughout the week’s practice runs and system checks. For Scott Tucker and his Level 5 Motorsports, weather is hardly noticeable-at least not compared to the brand new metal vessel they’ve been wheeling around at triple-digit speeds.
Scott Tucker and the team recently partnered with Wirth Research to debut an HPD ARX-01g chassis at the American Le Mans Series race tomorrow. Last week, drivers Christophe Bouchut, Joao Barbosa and Luis Diaz, as well as team manager David Stone, visited the Wirth Research team to meet their new team member. But of course, giving it the once-over means nothing once behind the wheel.
The motions should be enough for Scott Tucker and Level 5, if last year is any indication. Scott Tucker along with his team won the 2010 American Le Mans Series championship, and Tucker won both 2010 Rookie of the Year and Champion Driver. Still, with a brand new car, it will be important to find the team’s sweet spot in order to make the podium once again.
“Right now, it’s more about finding the balance,” said Luis Diaz after his practice run earlier this week. “If you have a good balanced car, you’ll have a good car in qualifying and race. We’re focusing on having a decent car, good balance front to rear, and then we’ll start to focus on having that ultimate lap.”
“Right now, it’s more about finding the balance,” said Luis Diaz after his practice run earlier this week. “If you have a good balanced car, you’ll have a good car in qualifying and race. We’re focusing on having a decent car, good balance front to rear, and then we’ll start to focus on having that ultimate lap.”
The team has been using a simulator in London in order to prepare for the new car’s debut. The car is so new that no spare parts have arrived yet, which makes this weekend’s race a risky one for Level 5. “We don’t have any spare parts, so we need to be really good with the car today,” Stone said. The team rushed the new car to the raceway in order to be ready for Petite le Monde next weekend, so it’s clear their eyes are to the horizon.
The team has been using a simulator in London in order to prepare for the new car’s debut. The car is so new that no spare parts have arrived yet, which makes this weekend’s race a risky one for Level 5. “We don’t have any spare parts, so we need to be really good with the car today,” Stone said. The team rushed the new car to the raceway in order to be ready for Petite le Monde next weekend, so it’s clear their eyes are to the horizon.
True to his history, Tucker is prepared for and confident in the change. “We’ve seen gains with the engine all year and the good thing is that there’s still room for development,” he says. “The HPD engine and chassis combination has proven to be the best over the years. We feel very comfortable and confident in making this unprecedented and decisive move in the middle of the season.”
True to his history, Tucker is prepared for and confident in the change. “We’ve seen gains with the engine all year and the good thing is that there’s still room for development,” he says. “The HPD engine and chassis combination has proven to be the best over the years. We feel very comfortable and confident in making this unprecedented and decisive move in the middle of the season.” As the race kicks off tomorrow, the new car will weather it’s first true road test. The results of tomorrow’s race will be a telling indicator of the weekend to come.
Scott Tucker’s Level 5 Motorsports are 2011 ALMS Champions Scott Tucker Racing
Written by Jesse Schwarck on December 3rd, 2011 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on NASCAR.
Scott Tucker, owner and driver for Level 5, has made history this weekend at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs. Through taking the victory lap, he nabbed his third straight SCCA titles, an historical feat that very small number of drivers have ever achieved.
During 2009, the Runoffs classic was held the very first time in Elkhart Lake, Wisc., its 6th area since it began. The venue was around Level 5 Motorsports’ home base in Madison, Wisc. The team, which Tucker founded in 2008, had been young but had enjoyed some really good success already in the 2009 season. Tucker competed and won in the Hawk Performance Touring 1 race.
His No. 55 Ferrari 430 Challenge had the pole position to start out, and he led the T1 field through turn one. In turn two, he lost the leading place to challenger John Buttermore, of Pontiac, Mich., who eventually would make podium behind Tucker. Tucker was hot on the tail of Buttermore’s Nearbrook Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, keeping his second place status even with pressure from behind in driver Lance Knupp of Fenton, Mich., the 3rd driver to eventually reach the podium that day.
The highest three drivers fought it out throughout the race. Tucker followed Buttermore intently, awaiting the opportunity to overtake him. In turn five, Buttermore’s mistake became Tucker’s window, and Tucker passed him to regain charge in lap four, right before turn six.
Tucker didn’t look back for the remainder of the 13-lap, 52-mile race. When he crossed the checkered flag, Tucker had sped to a 1.42-second lead for the first place finish in his first Runoffs appearance. Along the way, he recorded the quickest lap of the race, with a 2:22.000 lap while in the competition.
“Both Buttermore and Knupp were formidable competitors for the duration of the race,” Tucker said. “I was caught sleeping for a second there, when Buttermore overtook me, but he got a little wide in turn five, and I was able to take advantage of that. It really could have been anyone’s podium today; both of those guys put up strong, consistent races. I had to be continuously focused because I knew if I made a mistake, either one of them would be right there to pick it up.”
Soon after Tucker overtook Buttermore, the Chevrolet lost stability as a result of braking, which helped Knupp’s No. 37 Dodge Viper to operate into the second-place spot. Even as Buttermore decelerated the pace, he still pulled off the third-place podium finish.
In 2009, Tucker was still in the midst of proving himself the top driver in just his 3rd year of professional racing. His decisive victory at the Runoffs, considered one of the best sports vehicle races in today’s world, added to his growing list of victories in 2009. Going into the 2011 Runoffs, Tucker was a different driver; he had not only two Runoffs wins under his belt, but a variety of other first-place and podium finishes from 5 different racing series. The 2009 SCCA Runoffs at Elkhart Lake, Wisc., were the start of 2 years of explosive achievements for Tucker and the Level 5 Motorsports team.
Find more information about race car driver Scott Tucker Scott Tucker
Written by Susan Hall on December 2nd, 2011 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on NASCAR.
You hear them before you see them. The roaring motor and beautiful body drives past you and you know that a muscle car restoration is something you gotta do.
A muscle car is usually an American built car that has two doors and a big engine. This basic car is enhanced by the huge power it wields under the hood. It is a full out hot rod that is made to go fast and straight. These automobiles do not have the turning capabilities and finesse of the foreign cars.
So you found an old standard that you can get for a good price and now you’re ready to live the dream and restore your muscle car, what do you do first? Realize that any kind of restoration takes patience, hard work, and money.
Obtaining the vehicle may be the easiest part of this process. If you have mechanical inclinations that will help to alleviate some of the costs. If not, then you need to find someone who specializes in restoring autos. Be aware that the labor can be extremely expensive.
Once you have the expertise then you are ready to get started. Using the internet is a great way to connect to people who are doing the same as you. There are many groups that are not only muscle car enthusiasts but have forums where you can find help to obtain parts. These groups can be a fountain of information that can speed along your renovation.
With your parts located and patience it takes for the work to be done your muscle car restoration will be a labor of love. The culmination of your efforts will be a cool, newly glorious car to drive down the street or race at the track. Your dream will be realized and your envy satiated with your newly restored hot rod.
These days classic cars and trucks are experiencing a big surge in popularity across the country, and particularly in California. Auto shops abound that specialize in customization work but with these cars you want a trustworthy garage. If you want quality, reliable auto restoration, check out Braun’s Automotive in Lomita. They’ve been in business for over 30 years.
Written by James Halloran on November 23rd, 2011 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on NASCAR.
Scott Tucker and his Level 5 teammates recently began the final quarter of a racing year that has included numerous podium appearances, multiple car changes, incredible accomplishments and yet still room for improvement. Tucker, owner and driver for Level 5, has been a leader for the team despite the rookie status he maintained merely months ago. His tight, balanced driving has earned him top honors in the American Le Mans Series as Rookie of the Year and Champion Driver in 2010. His races often end with stints on the podium, and his career has only just begun.
As Tucker, his co-drivers Christophe Bouchut and Luis Diaz and team manager David Stone prepare to close the calendar year with the all-important Petit Le Mans and the Ferrari International Finals, the stakes are high-the team has woven itself a reputation of excellence that is best understood by looking back at what has made 2011 a stunning year for Level 5 Motorsports.
The 3rd round of the American Le Mans Series had Level 5 Motorsports slated to appear at Lime Rock Park for the Northeast Grand Prix, but the team withdrew its two-car entry a month before the race took place. With owner-driver Scott Tucker’s hectic schedule-racing in three series and what’s more, dominating them-it wouldn’t be out of the question to assume the withdraw was due to driver burnout; halfway through the year, couldn’t the team use a break? Not quite; put simply, the Level 5 Motorsports team all but compulsively seeks opportunities to get on the podium. Less than a month earlier, Tucker and his teammates took the win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans after its debut in the race and first year in the LMP2 class. With a record that better fits the question, “What races haven’t you won?” at that point in the year, Tucker and his team were making podium finishes a habit.
The decision to pull out of the Northeast Grand Prix was, like Level 5′s driving, calculated and strategic. In fact, it was not a total shock, considering the circumstances. The Level 5 Motorsports entries, two Lola-Hondas, would have been the only LMP2 cars in its class. At the time the decision was made, the team was more focused on preparing for the Six Hours of Imola, a race in Italy that would end just six days before the Lime Rock Park contest.
On top of the especially demanding back-to-back races, the team had lost one of its Lola B 11/80 Hondas the month before, in the Spa-Francorchamps race in Belgium. A high-speed crash forced the team to use its second Lola Honda coupe for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which had been intended for use in the entire American Le Mans series. After all the switch-ups, the team was left with only one Lola Honda for use in the U.S. circuit.
Additionally, recent rules changes allowed an expansion of the fuel restrictor in LMP2 cars, which allowed the cars increased speed, a tweak that made Tucker decide to drive the Lola Honda Spyder for Le Mans, as its coupes were built to 2010 standards. At this point, Tucker was short on cars and essentially had to be three places at once; logistically, there just wasn’t enough time to ship the Spyder back to the U.S. and prepare it to race in time for Lime Rock. “We want to get as many points as we possibly can,” Tucker said. The ILMC competition is stiffer, and placing at that race could mean better placement overall in the series based on points. Level 5 Motorsports would also find more LMP2 competitors overseas. With Level 5′s withdrawal, the Lime Rock race had no LMP2 entries, though more were expected in time for the Petit Le Mans.
The Motorsports team would remain out of the country after eliminating Lime Rock from its schedule, with the next showing at Bowmanville, Ontario’s Mosports International Raceway.
Scott Tucker on Myspace Scott Tucker.
Written by Patty Johnston on November 20th, 2011 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on NASCAR.
Scott Tucker and his Motorsports teammates recently began the final quarter of a racing year that has included numerous podium appearances, multiple car changes, incredible accomplishments and yet still room for improvement. Tucker, owner and driver for Level 5, has been a leader for the team despite the rookie status he maintained merely months ago. His tight, balanced driving has earned him top honors in the American Le Mans Series as Rookie of the Year and Champion Driver in 2010. His races often end with stints on the podium, and his career has only just begun.
As Scott Tucker, his co-drivers Christophe Bouchut and Luis Diaz and team manager David Stone prepare to close the calendar year with the all-important Petit Le Mans and the Ferrari International Finals, the stakes are high-the team has woven itself a reputation of excellence that is best understood by looking back at what has made 2011 a stunning year for Level 5 Motorsports.
There is no doubt that Tucker is a good race car driver, but when you add the fact that he competes not only in the ALMS and the ILMS but also the Ferrari Challenge series, Tucker becomes an unbelievable race car driver-unbelievable not only because of the schedule he keeps, but because of his continual success on the track. The first FC race of the 2011 year for Tucker and his Level 5 Motorsports team was the debut of the Ferrari 458 Challenge-the 5th model to be used since the series began in the early 90s-at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.
The 458 model was new to the race, but Tucker and the car were old friends. He tested the car exclusively in Spain the previous fall and again at the 12 Hours of Sebring weekend in the spring of 2011. The Ferrari 458 model is lighter and faster compared to its Italia 458 counterpart. The vehicle boasts 570 horsepower; 9,000 RPM direct injection V8 engine, and its gearbox is modified to increase torque at lower revolutions. The car is also equipped with a top-quality traction control system that was developed by Ferrari. The system is based on logic and strategies from Ferrari’s experience in the Formula One series.
Tucker entered the 2011 FC season with four wins on the Infineon course, which covers approximately 2.5 miles with 12 turns. Looking at the broad picture, the Level 5 team fared well in the weekend’s pair of FC races. “We came out with two cars, but because we were trying a new product with a new seat, it caused some issues with technical people here, so we pulled out one car,” said team manager David Stone. “The car we were able to run didn’t get the new gearbox update, so we’ve been tentative about that.”
But a race car is only as good as the sum of all its parts-and one of those parts is the driver. Tucker started the first race in fifth place. After some contact around the first corner, he bunkered down and worked his way up the rankings. His smart driving earned Level 5 a first-place ranking. “We extremely happy we got the win here with our 458 car,” said one engineer.
“I was trying to get up as fast as I could without making contact or being too aggressive,” said Scott Tucker. “We had a good car, and fortunately it worked out for us in the end.”
The second of the FC pair wasn’t as seamless as its predecessor; Level 5 decided to not qualify because of a first-lap penalty the day before. “We have a double whammy where we started in the back and we had another penalty,” Stone said. “Scott will have his work cut out for him. Getting on the podium is a tall order on this track.”
In addition to the penalties and race placement, Tucker and the Level 5 team had to face the challenge of a shorter race-the clock ran approximately 10 minutes short in 2011 compared to previous years. “There will be a little less time to work toward the front, but it is what it is, and the goal will be to come out of here with as many points as we can,” Stone said.
Tucker delivered a stellar performance regardless of the hiccups, weaving through traffic efficiently with the front of the line his unwavering goal. Although the 458 car started last, Tucker brought it across the line sixth, no small feat considering the circumstances. “It was a good race; we started last and finished sixth with no damage to the car,” Tucker said. “It’s about as good as you can do.”
With a solid performance again in May at the beginning FC series race of the year, Tucker continued on his whirlwind race schedule with an ILMC stop in Belgium for the Spa.
Penn Badgley starred as Scott Tucker in the movie John Tucker Must Die. He has also starred in the movies John Tucker Must Die, The Stepfather, and … He also appears in John Tucker Must Die playing Scott Tucker Scott Tucker.
Written by Shelly Newman on November 19th, 2011 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on NASCAR.
