Michael Marsal Targets Strong Return at Watkins Glen

michael_marsal_racing_1Watkins Glen, N.Y. (23 June 2014) – After a disappointing result at Kansas Speedway, Michael Marsal is ready to turn the page with the No. 97 Turner Motorsport BMW M3 as he heads back to familiar grounds with a return to Watkins Glen International.

Marsal and his co-driver, Tom Kimber-Smith, bring lots of experience to the historic circuit and look to score a positive result with the blue and yellow Turner machine. The Continental Tire 150 at the Glen marks Round 6 of the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.

It was a hard-fought race for the entire Turner Motorsport crew in Kansas, and although they brought home a solid finish in the top-15, the result wasn’t quite what they were hoping for. But Marsal has put the tricky 6-turn Kansas ‘roval’ track behind him and now focuses on the 3.4-mile, 11-turn New York road course.

Marsal has raced at Watkins Glen every year since 2010, with six total starts all except one with Turner Motorsport. He has some fond memories of the track having raced to a runner-up result in his 2010 debut with then co-driver Joey Hand. Marsal also spent time leading laps in the 2012 running of the event.

“Watkins Glen is such an amazing place with so much history,” said Marsal. “The track is really a driver’s track and the laps are a lot of fun, it’s a big challenge. I think any of us who get the chance to race the Glen feel honored to do so. I really can’t wait to get back there, it’s just a lot of fun to drive. We haven’t had the results we know we’re capable of yet this year and hopefully we’ll turn that around this weekend.”

It will be another quick and busy weekend for Marsal and the Turner Motorsport team. The first practice is scheduled for Thursday afternoon at 2:20 PM ET. Friday will see another practice session in the morning followed by a 15-minute qualifying session at 11:25 AM ET. The 150-minute Continental Tire 150 at the Glen is set to go green Saturday at 11:35 AM (ET). IMSA.com will carry live video coverage of the race as well as live timing and scoring.

The Continental Tire 150 at the Glen will air on FOX Sports 1 at 10:00 AM (ET) July 6th.