The Team CytoSport Muscle Milk squad will be looking to close out the season at this weekend’s Monterey Sports Car Championship at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca with a perfect four podiums in four starts.
Since starting its season at Mid-Ohio in early August, the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) LMP2 team has claimed one second- and two third-place finishes in as many races. The only thing missing for the Muscle Milk crew this season is a win, and based on its recent performances, that’s exactly what it’s aiming for this weekend.
In order to achieve its goal, the team, which considers this weekend’s race as its home event, being based only a few hours away in Benicia, Calif., will not only be counting on the performance and reliability of its #6 Muscle Milk Porsche RS Spyder but also on Klaus Graf and Greg Pickett’s prior experience at Laguna Seca Raceway.
Saturday’s race will be only the second ALMS start for Team CytoSport at the 2.238-mile road course, the team finished fifth in the LMP1 category in 2007. However, both Graf and Pickett have plenty of experience at the track famous for its ‘Corkscrew’.*
Graf, who set a race lap record at Road Atlanta two weeks ago, has three ALMS starts at the venue and Pickett has made over 10 starts at the track in different racing series.
Pickett also has fond memories of racing at Laguna Seca. It was there that over 35 years ago, he made his first professional race start. It was aboard a Chevrolet Camaro in an IMSA GT event in May of 1974. Pickett’s first win at Laguna Seca came in 1978. It was also his fourth Trans-Am victory of his Championship winning season.*
Looking to add to the memories, Pickett and Graf will be on track starting Thursday, October 8 at 5:10 p.m. (PT) for a one hour and 30 minute test session. The duo will get more practice time on Friday morning and mid afternoon before taking part in the qualifying session at 3:35 p.m. (PT).
The four-hour race takes place Saturday, October 10 at 2:45 p.m. (PT) and will be broadcast tape delayed on SPEED Sunday, October 11, 2009 starting at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time.
What they have to say:
Greg Pickett, Owner / Driver #6 Muscle Milk Porsche RS Spyder
“Going back to Laguna Seca is always very special for me. I have such good memories of that track having raced there professionally for the first time in 1974. I also picked up some victories there along the way but what makes racing at Laguna Seca great is the Corkscrew. There’s nothing quite like it. I can’t wait to take it aboard the Muscle Milk Porsche RS Spyder, I think that will be quite the experience. Once again, I’m looking forward to this weekend and getting back in the car and putting on a good show for the fans and for our guests. This event is like our home race and we hope to have a very successful weekend to end the season.”
Klaus Graf, Driver #6 Muscle Milk Porsche RS Spyder
“After our third consecutive podium at Petit Le Mans two weeks ago, our goal will be to repeat that again at Laguna Seca. Coming here is always a little special. It’s not only a beautiful racetrack with the famous Corkscrew corner but the area around is also very picturesque. Places like Monterey or Carmel are just breathtaking and being close to the Pacific Ocean makes it really fantastic.
“As for the racing side, it will be important to make the right calls with our Muscle Milk crew to ensure that our Muscle Milk Porsche RS Spyder will continue to perform to its full potential as we head into the dark and changing conditions of the four hour race. That said, I’m fully confident that our guys will be on top of that.”