June 4, 2010 (Watkins Glen, NY) – Craig Stanton, from Long Beach, Calif., blitzed the 3.4-mile Watkins Glen International layout during the GRAND-AM Rolex Sportscar Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No.16 qualifying to take pole position for Saturday’s Sahlen’s Six Hour of the Glen in the No.44 Magnus Racing Porsche GT3 Cup.
Stanton’s pole position was the first for Magnus Racing, the second of Stanton’s career, and the first one in 2010 for Porsche.
“I am so excited for my team, I almost don’t have any words,” said Stanton following the qualifying session. “This really shows the progression that Magnus Racing has undergone this season. These guys all come to us from different places but have come together as a team really quickly. They have busted their butts for us since Daytona, and this result really is for them and for all their hard work. We have a lot of team family and friends here with us this weekend, and we know we have lots of family and friends at home following the action, so I’m really excited to give them something to be happy about.”
For Potter, from Salt Lake City, Utah, the pole position is vindication of the program that he built over the winter after the end of the 2009 GRAND-AM season.
“It’s very exciting to say that Magnus Racing has scored its first pole position,” said Potter. “But mostly I’m thrilled for our guys. It’s their experience and skills that allow us to get great results like our first pole position.”
The No.44 Magnus Racing Porsche GT3 Cup had excelled throughout the day on the fast, flowing Watkins Glen layout. Stanton, Potter, and Jeroen Bleekemolen, the third Magnus Racing driver on this weekend, were able to keep their car in the top-three throughout all of the day’s sessions.
“We knew coming to Watkins Glen that we would do well, as this is a track that favors the Porsche,” said Stanton. “Its layout – with high speeds and lots of fast straightaways – suits the aerodynamics and balance of the Porsche, but I had it on the ragged edge to put that lap down. The car has felt phenomenal all day, and we also think we will have a car that will be good for all six hours tomorrow.”
In Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge qualifying, Potter drove the No.44 Magnus Racing Porsche Cayman for the first time since it was involved in a heavy accident yesterday to a 15th overall qualifying position. The Magnus Racing team had a large job to repair the car but, as they have done throughout the season, proved up to the task of getting the car ready-to-race.
The CTSCC race will begin Saturday at 10:15 AM ET, with the Rolex Sportscar Series race beginning at 2:00 PM ET. The GT race will air live in two segments on SPEED Channel, with the first segment beginning at 2:00 PM ET and ending at 4:00 PM ET, and the second beginning at 6:00 PM ET and ending at 8:30 PM ET. Qualifying for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen will stream live online at http://stream.speedtv.com, beginning at 3:35 PM ET and will run for both the Daytona Prototype and GT sessions.
Throughout the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, fans of Magnus Racing will be able to log on to the team’s website at magnusracing.com, and chat live with the team and drivers. Fans of Magnus Racing also stay updated with the team at facebook.com/magnusracing, and on twitter at twitter.com/magnusracing (@magnusracing).
More information about Magnus Racing can be found at www.magnusracing.com. Any organization interested in learning more about how to be involved with one of the most unique and visible teams in the Grand-American Rolex Sportscar Series can e-mail info@magnusracing.com. All press inquiries can be directed to press@magnusracing.com.