Tucker Sets New Lap Record, Earns Podium Finish At Watkins Glen
Scott Tucker and the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team continued their run of fast laps at Watkins Glen International, setting a new race lap record en route to a second-place finish in the final North America race of the 2010 Ferrari Challenge.
Tucker's lap of 106.624 mph, set on lap 19 of the 21-lap event, came as he was embroiled in a furious battle with Enzo Potolicchio over the historic 3.48-mile road course in New York's Finger Lakes region. The two dominated the field, duplicating their one-two finish from yesterday.
"It was a great weekend for the Boardwalk Ferrari team," Tucker said. "We were fast, and came away with a pair of strong finishes. It's great to get into the record books at this historic facility."
The weekend has been a continuation of the season-long battle between Tucker and Potolicchio. The drivers have battled head-to-head on the track and now face a showdown in the final event of the season -- the Ferrari Challenge International Finals in Spain.
"This is what you hope for as a driver: great cars and great racing," Tucker said. "I'm really looking forward to Valencia. It's a great circuit and I know the racing will be fantastic."
So far in 2010, Tucker has won four races and sits in second place in the season point standings. Following their remarkable 2009 showing, the team had high hopes for this season and has been continuing their record-setting ways.
Tucker set the fastest lap during the morning warm up with a lap speed of 107.251 mph. Then, he picked up speed in qualifying with a lap of 107.385 mph, and earned the second qualifying position behind Potolicchio. The team continued to improve as the weekend progressed. Between Friday and Saturday, Tucker recorded the top speed in three of the four practice sessions. His best lap came in practice session No. 3 on Saturday, 106.370 mph. Those efforts culminated in today's impressive performance.
"I know when we arrive at the track that we will have a fast car," Tucker said. "We started out strong and just kept improving all weekend. It's hard to be disappointed with a podium finish."
The Ferrari Challenge International Finals will take place November 25-28, 2010, in Valencia, Spain, at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo.
ABOUT BOARDWALK FERRARI
Boardwalk Ferrari, Located in Plano, Tex., is one of the nation's leading Ferrari and Maserati dealerships. The company has extensive involvement in motorsports including relationships in the American Le Mans Series and their extremely successful sponsorship of Level Five Motorsports Ferrari Challenge entry.
Tucker Turns Fastest Race Lap, Finishes Second at Watkins Glen
Scott Tucker and the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team continued their quest for a North American Ferrari Challenge Series championship Saturday afternoon with a solid second-place finish in Race No. 1 at Watkins Glen International.
Tucker finished a mere .185 seconds behind series points leader Enzo Potolicchio. He turned the fastest lap of the race at 106.408 mph on lap 22.
Potolicchio led the race's first 16 laps on the 3.48-mile road course in Western New York before Tucker took his turn at the front on lap 17. Potolicchio regained the point on lap 18 and edged a persistent Tucker, whose No. 55 F430 was right on his bumper, to the checkered flag.
"It was a hard-fought race. It is very difficult to pass out there," Tucker said. "We simply ran out of laps. The Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team prepared a great car for me. We'll come back out on Sunday and take another shot at a victory."
Tucker and the No. 55 Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team have posted a victory in every Ferrari Challenge Series weekend in which they have participated in 2010. Tucker has won races at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Miller Motorsports Park, Infineon Raceway and New Jersey Motorsports Park in 2010.
Tucker looks to continue his victory string Sunday as he points toward a North American Ferrari Challenge Series championship. The title will be determined in November at the Ferrari Challenge World Finals in Spain.
"I am very happy to earn another podium finish," Tucker said, "We're focused on a championship and the points are key. But I love this track and its history so a win tomorrow would be really special."
Qualifying for Saturday's race was cancelled due to inclement weather. The field was set by points, with Tucker starting from the second position behind Potolicchio. The two drivers have been embroiled in a battle for the season championship with a showdown in the Finals looming.
Between Friday and Saturday, Tucker recorded the top speed in three of the four practice sessions. His best lap came in practice session No. 3 on Saturday, 106.370 mph. Qualifying for Race No. 2 is set for 11:10 a.m. Sunday, with the green flag scheduled for 1 p.m.
ABOUT BOARDWALK FERRARI
Boardwalk Ferrari, Located in Plano, Tex., is one of the nation's leading Ferrari and Maserati dealerships. The company has extensive involvement in motorsports including relationships in the American Le Mans Series and their extremely successful sponsorship of Level Five Motorsports Ferrari Challenge entry.
Tucker, Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports Focused On Two Checkered Flags at Watkins Glen
After several weeks of intense points racing in the American Le Mans Series, Scott Tucker is looking forward to this weekend's Ferrari Challenge Series event at Watkins Glen International with only one thing in mind -- winning.
Tucker and the No. 55 Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team have posted a victory in every Ferrari Challenge Series race weekend in which they have participated in 2010. They will look to continue that trend this weekend in western New York at a track where Tucker has found success. In the 2009 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, Tucker and teammate Christophe Bouchut raced to Level 5 Motorsports' first podium finish there.
"Watkins Glen is a great place to race with a lot of history to it," Tucker said. "We're looking forward to going back there and adding our name to a prestigious list of winners at the track with a couple of strong runs."
Tucker and the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team tested at Watkins Glen in July between races in an already hectic racing schedule. The team was happy with the results of the test and expect to transfer those learnings to the race this weekend.
"We're pleased with the results of the test and we'll be well prepared when we get to The Glen," said Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports Team Manager David Stone. "Scott knows his way around the place, so we know he will be ready. The short course at Watkins Glen is very car dependent, so it's up to us to give him the car he needs to get to victory lane."
Tucker has won Ferrari Challenge Series races at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Miller Motorsports Park, Infineon Raceway and New Jersey Motorsports Park in 2010 and currently sits in a tie for second-place in the series point standings despite missing the Series' events in Montreal.
Qualifying for Race No. 1 at Watkins Glen is set for Saturday at 11:10 a.m. The green flag is scheduled to wave at 1 p.m. Qualifying for Race No. 2 is set for 11:10 a.m. Sunday, with the green flag scheduled for 1 p.m.
ABOUT BOARDWALK
Boardwalk Ferrari, Located in Plano, Tex., is one of the nation's leading Ferrari and Maserati dealerships. The company has extensive involvement in motorsports including relationships in the American Le Mans Series and their extremely successful sponsorship of Level Five Motorsports Ferrari Challenge entry.
Tucker, Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Team Maintain Competitive Pace in Ferrari Challenge Race 2
Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports driver Scott Tucker completed his weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park with an impressive performance in Race 2 of the Ferrari Challenge Series. Tucker bested the field during the practice session in the morning, setting a lap time of 1:25.531 at 94.703 mph. Then, he collected his second consecutive pole award in the No. 55 Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports F430 with a fastest lap of 1:24.656 at 95.681 mph.
Tucker took a commanding lead in Race 2 on the 14-turn road course. He held the point over Enzo Potolicchio in the No. 22 The Collection Ferrari, setting the pace for 21 laps of the 31-lap race.
In the late going, with Tucker still in the lead, the No. 55 developed electrical problems. Although Potolicchio was able to get around him on lap 22, Tucker persevered while battling an ailing car. The No. 55 finally succumbed on lap 28, taking Tucker out of a hard-fought race.
"When the car was good it was great," Tucker said. "When we wanted to drive at a normal pace and maintain the speed, we could. When we wanted to pull away, we pulled away. Even after we developed electrical problems, the car soldiered on."
Constant communication between driver and team kept the car in the hunt. After finally deciding to pit with 10 minutes to go, the team was able to repair the car and get it back on the track in time to take the checkered flag.
Potolicchio went on to win the race; Tucker placed 10th.
"I can't complain for the weekend, and I can't say enough about this team and this car," Tucker said. "This Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team performed great in yesterday's victory, and stayed in the trenches today."
Tucker did make a podium appearance after being awarded a sportsman's trophy in recognition of his efforts on the track.
New Jersey Motorsports Park has been a track of much success for Tucker and the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team. He won Race 1 yesterday, and set a track record here in qualifying his F430 and finished a solid second in the first event in 2009. He then led every lap in winning the second race of the weekend.
Tucker has posted one victory at each of the previous events in which the team has participated in 2010. He has also scored checkered flags at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Miller Motorsports Park and Infineon Raceway.
Despite missing one event -- the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team did not race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal in June due to a commitment at the 24-Hours of Le Mans --Tucker came into this weekend third in the Ferrari Challenge Series championship standings.
The next Ferrari Challenge Series event for Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports is set for September 3-5 at Watkins Glen International in upstate New York.
ABOUT BOARDWALK
Boardwalk Ferrari, Located in Plano, Tex., is one of the nation's leading Ferrari and Maserati dealerships. The company has extensive involvement in motorsports including relationships in the American Le Mans Series and their extremely successful sponsorship of Level Five Motorsports Ferrari Challenge entry.
ABOUT CROWN ROYAL CANADIAN WHISKY
Crown Royal Canadian whisky is the number one selling Canadian whisky brand in the United States by value, and has a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal Canadian whisky's smooth, elegant style reflects its aristocratic origins and is considered the epitome of Canadian whisky. For more information visit www.crownroyal.com. It's about quality, not quantity.
ABOUT DIAGEO
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.
Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere, responsibly.
Tucker, Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Team On Top in Ferrari Challenge Race 1 at New Jersey Motorsports
Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports driver Scott Tucker continued his 2010 dominance Saturday by winning Race 1 of the Ferrari Challenge Series at New Jersey Motorsports Park. The victory came at the end of a dramatic 30-lap run that included daring lead changes, on-track contact between the leaders and a late battle to the checkers.
The day began for Tucker with solid practice sessions setting a lap time of 1:25.409 at 94.838 mph. He then took the No. 55 Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports F430 to the top spot in qualifying with a fastest lap of 1:25.507 at 94.729 mph.
When the green flag waved to start the race, Tucker got a jump on Enzo Potolicchio's No 22 car and pulled out to a five-car-length lead. Tucker maintained a commanding pace through the first 10 minutes of the action.
That's when the action started heating up. With Tucker in the lead, Potolicchio in second, the two encountered the last car on the lead lap and prepared to make a pass. The three cars arrived at one of the most challenging turns on this road course. As they exited the turn, Tucker got on the brakes to avoid hitting the slower car. The move allowed the No. 22 to get around, but Tucker stayed close on him bumper.
"I didn't cut any slack out there. I kept on the pressure," Tucker said. "I finally got good run out of 12 on front straightaway and was able to make the pass on Enzo."
As the racers entered Turn 1 with Tucker on the inside front, Potolicchio braked late going into the corner and caught Tucker's bumper, sending the No. 55 F430 spinning into the dirt. The mishap allowed Francesco Piovanetti to take the lead in the No. 3 The Collection Ferrari.
With Piovanetti in the lead, Tucker got back on course and maintained the third position, in spite of the damaged suffered by the No. 55. Potolicchio suffered damage to his brakes and rear rotor. Undaunted, Tucker chased him down.
However, time was running out. Just as it appeared there wasn't enough race left, the yellow flags came out for a full-course caution, which brought the field back together.
"By that time, I had both Piovanetti and Potolicchio in my windshield and was just concentrating on closing the gap," Tucker said.
When the green flag waved to restart the race, teammates Piovanetti and Potolicchio raced with a lapped car in between. Realizing his position, the slower car moved out of the way to let the leaders pass. However, Potolicchio began running interference for his teammate, holding Tucker in third.
Driving a wounded car, Tucker maneuvered around Potolicchio, and began chasing down the leader. On lap 23, Tucker made a decisive pass on Piovanetti and carried the field to the checkered flag with Piovanetti in second and Potolicchio in third.
"This is a tremendous victory," Tucker said in Victory Lane. "This team is unstoppable. And, when that checkered flag waves, that is what gets you to the front -- the team."
During the post-race review, Potolicchio was penalized one minute for unnecessary contact, which dropped him to seventh place.
"It has been a great day for this Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team," Tucker said. "Even after the spin, the car still maintained a winning pace. This is a great racetrack and we love the action here."
New Jersey Motorsports Park, a 2.25-mile, 14-turn road course in Millville, New Jersey, is conducive to success for Tucker and the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team. In 2009, Tucker set a track record here in qualifying his F430 and finished a solid second in the first event. He then led every lap in winning the second race of the weekend.
Tucker has posted one victory at each of the previous events in which the team has participated in 2010. He has also scored checkered flags at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Miller Motorsports Park and Infineon Raceway.
Despite missing one event -- the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team did not race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal in June due to a commitment at the 24-Hours of Le Mans --Tucker came into this weekend third in the Ferrari Challenge Series championship standings.
Qualifying for the second race of Round 5 of the Ferrari Challenge Series is set for 10 a.m. ET Sunday, with the green flag scheduled to wave at 2:15 p.m. ET.
The next Ferrari Challenge Series event for Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports is set for September 3-5 at Watkins Glen International in upstate New York.
ABOUT BOARDWALK
Boardwalk Ferrari, Located in Plano, Tex., is one of the nation's leading Ferrari and Maserati dealerships. The company has extensive involvement in motorsports including relationships in the American Le Mans Series and their extremely successful sponsorship of Level Five Motorsports Ferrari Challenge entry.
ABOUT CROWN ROYAL CANADIAN WHISKY
Crown Royal Canadian whisky is the number one selling Canadian whisky brand in the United States by value, and has a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal Canadian whisky's smooth, elegant style reflects its aristocratic origins and is considered the epitome of Canadian whisky. For more information visit www.crownroyal.com. It's about quality, not quantity.
ABOUT DIAGEO
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.
Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere, responsibly.
