ROCK HILL, S.C. (July 30, 2019) – After a nearly month-long break from IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship action, CORE autosport is back on track this weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, where the team won last season.
In the 2018 race, CORE went from the back of the Prototype grid to the top of the podium with a nail-biting fuel savings strategy. After taking the checkered flag, driver Colin Braun ran out of fuel on the cool down lap and had to be towed into victory lane to celebrate with co-driver Jon Bennett. It was that close.
This year, CORE brings its new Nissan Ligier DPi to the four-mile circuit for what could be another game of fuel strategy.
Noteworthy
- CORE has earned six podium finishes at Road America including wins in 2018 (Prototype) and 2012 (Prototype Challenge).
- CORE scored a 1-2 finish in PC at Road America in 2012.
- Colin Braun qualified on the PC pole at Road America in 2013.
- Braun’s family is from the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. Dad and race engineer Jeff Braun is a graduate of The Milwaukee School of Engineering.
JON BENNETT
Driver: No. 54 ADT Nissan Ligier DPi
“I like the high speed, cross-country feel of Road America. The fans and the Midwest atmosphere are always amazing. Oh, and there is that quick flick though the “kink” at full throttle.
“The Nissan should do well at Road America. Our Nissan is slightly disadvantaged at tight, twisty street courses. Road America is the complete opposite and I like our chances for success.
“With myself and Colin Braun in the cockpit, the strength of our team and our clever strategy, a win is possible anywhere we unload our Nissan DPi.”
COLIN BRAUN
Driver: No. 54 ADT Nissan Ligier DPi
“I enjoy Road America and I know Jon does too. I like the blend of fast corners and slow corners. It has a really good flow and rhythm to it. People call it an ‘old school’ track, because it’s got that classic style of just paving a track over the existing landscape. It’s a great place.
“Last year was a really interesting race. I felt like we had good speed in the race and then towards the three-quarter mark we realized it was going to be a fuel mileage race. I think we were one of the first cars to switch into that mode and it ended up winning us the race. Who knows what this year will bring as far as a race based on pure pace or fuel strategy. Either way, we’re in a good position to have a strong race.
“Road America seems to be a track that doesn’t have a lot of full-course yellows and with the length of the circuit it usually becomes a fuel mileage race. The track surface is also a bit worn out, so I think tire degradation will be a factor.”