Performance Tech Doubles Down on Podiums in IMSA’s Prototype Challenge

Performance Tech Motorsports walked away with two podium finishes in Race One of the opening weekend for IMSA Prototype Challenge Presented by Mazda at Sebring International Raceway.

Veteran Kyle Masson of Windermere, Florida took full advantage of being on his home turf and walked away with his first win in the MPC class after starting from the pole position. Team newcomer and series rookie Andres Gutierrez closed Race One with a second-place finish in the LMP3 class with his No. 12 Ligier JS P3.

Race One featured 45-minutes of clean and green racing. There were, of course, a few spins and near misses but the Performance Tech team brought home all six cars without a bump or bruise.

Dr. Robert Masson in the No. 11 MPC showed steady concentration overtaking Dave House in the No. 86 after a long-fought battle. He finished seventh overall in the MPC class. Teammate Stephen Dawesin Performance Tech’s namesake No. 38 MPC had a quick spin in Turn 10 but continued on to finish ninth. Howard Jacobs was showing some speed near the end of the sprint race in his No. 77 MPC. He followed Dawes across the finish line in tenth.

While Gutierrez was fighting for top honors against LMP3 class winner Nico Jamin of ANSA Motorsports teammate Alan Wilzig was getting acquainted with his No. 23 LMP3. Wilzig took a couple of spins in his Ginetta LMP3 as he learned its nuances during race action. He kept his race clean and held on for a tenth-place finish in the LMP3 class.

Team Principal Brent O’Neill was twisting and turning as he watched the battles his six cars undertook. Each driver walking away with more experience for tomorrow’s Race Two. O’Neill walked away with a smile as his team secured seven straight years of opening the Prototype Challenge season on the podium.

“I think it was a good day and everybody did a good job,” O’Neill said. “Andres, to be as young as he is, was out there in the battle. He got caught in traffic a little bit, but he handled it and did an awesome job. Kyle, he struggled there in the beginning. When the JDC car got up to him he was finally able to put some laps together and win his race.

“All the guys, Dr. Masson, Howard and Steve, they did a great job. They kept their cars clean, that’s important the first race. Alan did a great job, had a couple of spins, but again kept his car clean. Everything came home and that’s what counts.”

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