Spotlight: IMSA Prototype Challenge at Barber Motorsports Park

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (April 17, 2018) - Performance Tech Motorsports is back in the fight with IMSA Prototype Challenge Presented by Mazda first spotlight race of the season at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.

Barber Motorsports Park is the only race on the six-event schedule that does not coincide with Performance Tech’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship program. The team’s six Prototype Challenge Presented by Mazda drivers are more than ready to take center stage at the 2.38-mile, 15 turn circuit widely known for its modern art displays around every corner.

This weekend serves as the halfway point for the 2018 season, causing both the tension and expectations to rise. Dr. Robert Masson and his No. 11 MPC are going into the weekend with the most to win or lose. He has two points separating him from MPC class leader, Dave House, while only one-point differentiates himself from third and fourth place.

The No. 22 of Stephen Dawes will have to overcome his own teammate to advance in the championship. He is currently tied for fourth place overall with Bart Wolf of Wolf Motorsports sitting just one point behind Masson. The seasoned veteran has momentum coming off his podium from Round Two at Sebring International Raceway.

17-year-old Wyatt Schwab is entering the weekend on the championship hunt as well. Though the rookie has shown plenty of speed, he hasn’t quite had the luck he was hoping for this season. Schwab’s unparalleled consistency and focus will be key this weekend as he looks to move his No. 18 MPC into podium contention.

Howard Jacobs and his No. 77 MPC have shared similar luck with Schwab this season, but much like his teammate he is not letting it slow him down. He is currently ninth in the standings with only three points separating him from fifth. With such small gaps in the points Jacobs is a championship wildcard to keep your eye on this weekend.

Cameron Cassel rounds out the Performance Tech pack this weekend in the LMP3 class. Cassel and the No. 75 currently sits in an impressive ninth position over a field of over 27 cars. Cassels is third in LMP3 Masters but is in contention for the championship. Cassels is one of three P3 cars piloted by only one driver.

Performance Tech will also be joined this weekend by the Charles Wicht Racing/ Performance Tech No. 7 LMP3 entry. The teams combined forces for Round Two at Sebring International Raceway and walked away with an overall win. Leo Lamelas and his new co-driver Will Owens are currently third in the championship, one point behind Extreme Speed Motorsports, and in position to make up for lost ground this weekend.

Like most tracks in North America Performance Tech is quite familiar with Barber Motorsport Parks podium. Last year the team earned a combined total of five podiums, three of which were class wins. After over a month of prep Team Principal Brent O’Neill is ready to get back to the track to see what his drivers and crew can do.

“We’ve got back to back weekends after Long Beach with the Prototype so we have a pretty quick turn around,” O’Neill said. “But we’ll be ready to go this weekend. We’ve had the cars in the shop sorting out any issues from Sebring. Barber is a great event and track; the guys are all looking forward to going.

“Hopefully, we can see Robert, Stephen and  Leo back on podium this weekend. And we’re trying to get Wyatt and Howard their first podium too. Cameron is so close to finishing on podium, he’s really doing a great job. The goal is to get everyone on podium.” 

The weekend begins for Performance Tech Thursday, April 19, th with Practice One at 5 p.m. ET. Friday features Practice Two at 11:15 a.m. followed by qualifying at 6:25 p.m. The team wraps up the weekend with a one hour and 45-minute race beginning at 5:35 p.m. Saturday, April 21. The race will be broadcast in its entirety on IMSA.TV followed by a delayed broadcast on FOX Sports 2 at 9:30 p.m. on May 10, 2018.