TV INFO: SPEED-June 28, 12:30 PM ET
Lexington, OH (18 June 2009) Matt Bell is in his first season of GS Class competition in the Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge, but he’s already looking like a seasoned expert.
Driving the Turner Motorsport No. 96 H&R Springs/StopTech Brakes BMW M3 that he will co-drive with Bill Auberlen, Bell scorched to a new track record at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in qualifying on Saturday with a fast lap time of 1:33.665-seconds to take his fifth pole position of the 2009 season.
“We were chasing the set-up a little bit because the rain changed the track conditions,” said Bell. “But with all the experience that Turner Motorsport has, they dialed in the perfect set-up and gave me all the tools I needed to get the job done. The car did exactly what I wanted it to do.”
The 15-minute morning qualifying session precedes Saturday afternoon’s 1:45 PM race start, something that Bell is relishing.
“I like the chance to race and qualify on the same day—I am really in a good mindset right now so I’m looking forward to keeping this intensity up again this afternoon in the race.”
Saturday’s 2.5-hour race is slated for a 1:45 PM green flag, and will be broadcast on a tape-delayed basis by SPEED on June 28 at 12:30 PM.
