DePew turned a lap of 2:13.355-seconds on the historic Sebring International Raceway's 3.74-mile circuit. This sets the team up for the final round of the 2020 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge campaign, in the No. 71 Urban Grid Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R, that will be co-driven by Robin Liddell.
“The car felt great,” DePew said. “Obviously, crew chief Joe Hall and the Rebel Rock guys put a great car together. It came out of the box quick, and we had very little sorting to do this morning. Robin is an amazing coach. More than anything, he’s been working with my head! We’re starting to get there. I’m getting over pushing too hard, doing things that were actually slowing me down. It feels really good to qualify in the top 10, ahead of some really fast people.”
DePew, Liddell and endurance specialist Andrew Davis combined to win a four-hour race at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in September. The team also finished third in a two-hour event at Road Atlanta during the Petit Le Mans weekend.
“I’m really delighted for Frank,” said Liddell, who will finish up the two-hour race. “Frank has worked incredibly hard to improve his performance. I felt for a long time that he’s really close to a breakthrough. We’ve made a couple of silly mistakes earlier in the year, but the reality is that today is proof of all the hard work he has been doing.
“To qualify in the top 10 – and if you look at the drivers who are behind him – is a bloody impressive performance, to be honest. It’s a real vindication for his hard work and the direction we’ve been going. It’s a great job.”
The Florida-based team will join the 35-car field in taking the green flag at 12:05 p.m. ET on Friday for the two-hour season finale.