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Alton, VA (September 14, 2012) - Muscle Milk Pickett Racing and driver Klaus Graf set an all-time track record on Friday at Virginia International Raceway on its way to claiming its seventh pole position of the season.
The pole position, a fifth consecutive one for the team, was also Graf's fifth in as many qualifying attempts this season, making him a perfect five for five on the year.
After seeing Graf and teammate Lucas Luhr top the time sheets in both practice sessions earlier in the day, the Pickett Racing team headed into qualifying confident they could keep their pole position streak alive.
On his first flying lap, Graf had already broken the previous track record of one minute 36.3 seconds with a lap of one minute 36.243 seconds and went on to register an even faster lap on his second orbit of the 3.27-mile circuit to set the all-time VIR track record at one minute 35.434 seconds.
The German was looking to improve even more but was slowed by a P2 car on a lap that could have been nearly half a second quicker.
While the team is celebrating its seventh pole position of the season, Muscle Milk Pickett Racing remains focused on the most important part of the weekend, which is Saturday's four-hour race where 22 valuable points are available for the winner.
Pickett Racing will return to the track at 9:55 a.m. ET for the morning warm up session ahead of the race, which goes green at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Round 9 of the 2012 season will be streamed live on ESPN3.com from 2:25 p.m. ET with the race being broadcast on tape-delay on ESPN2 Sunday, September 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. ET.
Muscle Milk Quotes
 Klaus Graf, #6 Muscle Milk HPD ARX-03a
"It's always great when you can claim a pole position and also set a track record. We tested here earlier this season with our Muscle Milk HPD ARX-03a and tried a few things in qualifying trim on our Michelin tires and I think it paid off today.
"We also continued to work on the car throughout the day and made some changes and once again the Muscle Milk Pickett Racing crew did a great job preparing the car.
"We've had a good weekend so far but it is important that it continues tomorrow which is when it really counts. However, starting from pole position at VIR is very important because the track is pretty much a one-lane racetrack, so track position is very important even if it's a four race. That said, the most important thing for the race will be to remain trouble free if we want to score a maximum of points towards the championship."
Race Facts:
American Le Mans Series VIR 240
Virginia International Raceway, 3.27-mile, 17-turn road course, Alton, VA
September 14 - 15, 2012
American Le Mans Series: Round #9 of 10
Race Duration: 4 hours
ALMS TV Broadcast:
Race: ESPN2
Tape delayed, Sunday, September 16, 2012 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm ET
ALMS live online coverage:
United States: ESPN3.com
International: www.americanlemans.com
Race - Saturday, September 15, 2012: 2:15 pm - 6:45 pm ET
International Broadcast:
MotorsTV - Live on Saturday, September 15
Fox Sports Middle East - Live on Saturday, September 15
Fox Latin American Networks - Live on Saturday, September 15
Rogers Sportsnet: Tape delayed - Sunday, September 16, 2012 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm ET
Schedule (All times eastern):
Saturday, September 15, 2012:
Warm up: 9:55 am - 10:15 am (All Classes)
Autograph Session: 11:30 am - 12:15 pm
ALMS Race: 2:30 pm (4 hours)
About CytoSport
CytoSport, the maker of Muscle Milk®, is among the largest sport nutrition protein beverage companies in the U.S. and offers a complete line of protein-enhanced powders, shakes and bars. Muscle Milk® was recently named the 2008 Ready-to-Drink Beverage of the Year by bodybuilding.com, Best Functional Beverage and Beverage of the Year by BevNet and 2009 Company of the Year by Beverage Forum presented by Beverage Marketing Corporation and Beverage World. For more information on Muscle Milk or additional CytoSport products, visit: www.cytosport.com. |
