Ford Chip Ganassi Racing is on a hot streak and hoping to keep it going at the Northeast Grand Prix.
The 2-hour, 40-minute, all-GT class race will put an even greater spotlight on the GTLM category just when the competition couldn’t be more difficult for teams in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Ford CGR, current leaders in the championship points, enters the race hot off two wins in a row, at Watkins Glen (No. 66 Ford GT) and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (No. 67 Ford GT). They also locked out the front row in qualifying at the Glen and put the No. 67 of Ryan Briscoe and Richard Westbrook on the front row at CTMP at p2.
It’s a welcome boost of confidence in the toughest stretch of the season, where teams start to see if they have a realistic chance at winning the championship title. It’s also the home race of Briscoe, who lives in nearby Farmington, Conn. with his wife and two daughters.
“I’m excited to have my home race at Lime Rock, coming off the win in Canada,” Briscoe said. “We’re excited to go there and try to carry some momentum knowing that it’s going to be a really tough race. It always is, but I enjoy the circuit and enjoy the racing there. We’ll be pushing hard for another strong result.”
Ford maintains the series manufacturers points lead over Chevrolet and Porsche entering the Northeast Grand Prix.
“I’m really looking forward to Lime Rock because it’s a different kind of race,” said Müller, who shares the No. 66 Ford GT with Joey Hand. “It’s full of strategy. I’m looking forward to getting the best strategy out of every team and from our Ford Chip Ganassi Racing boys. At the same time, I’m trying to take all the momentum we are having right now the last few weeks, including the podium at the Le Mans 24 and the victory for us at Watkins Glen, then the fabulous victory for the 67 last weekend.”
“We are full of energy and I like to try to direct that energy forwards and push ourselves for Lime Rock,” Müller said. “We’re in the championship hunt and it’s looking really good. I like Lime Rock, Joey likes Lime Rock. It’s a little different race, there are only a few corners but at the same time traffic is really, really important at the same time. It is usually extremely warm and humid so it’s physical for the driver. I’m really looking forward to the strategy calls and at the same time to get good car setup from (engineer) John (Hennek). Really looking forward and can’t wait to get back in the car.”
