Kuhlman Seeks To Build on Platinum Masters Title

at Road Atlanta Finale

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 1, 2014) -- Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama competitor Kasey Kuhlman is entering the final two rounds of the 2014 IMSA season at Road Atlanta with the Platinum Masters championship clinched.

For Kuhlman, 47, it's the result of a lesson well learned after losing the Platinum Masters title by just two points in 2013 to Craig Duerson.

"I came to Atlanta last year with a point lead, which made losing (the title) more painful," Kuhlman said. "I had it in my hands, and I didn't deliver at the two races in Atlanta. What I learned from that is that every race the entire season is critical. I came into this season focused on winning every race as the Masters class leader."

Kuhlman has landed on the top step of the Masters podium after 12 of his 14 starts this season in the No. 15 Wright Motorsports Porsche. He is an unassailable 73 points ahead of second-place David Calvert-Jones with just two rounds left.

"I am excited to be the Masters champion," Kuhlman said. "For me, it's a personal issue of having learned from last year's result and being able to apply that learning to overcome the competition in the field.

"It's not like I reached into a bag and pulled out the winning lottery ticket because I've worked for four years in this series to be able to drive the way you have to drive to be the champion. There's a personal satisfaction for keeping it together and delivering these results race after race.

"I have to say my team, Wright Motorsports, with their prep, coaching, work with me on the radio, and all the mental stuff in addition to the mechanical side they deliver, has been a huge benefit. This championship is a culmination of four years of learning and growing as a driver. I feel like I've earned it and that it's right on schedule for me."

  

 Though Kuhlman is proud of his championship, there is much more on the line as he heads to the prestigious 12-turn, 2.54-mile circuit at Road Atlanta.

In a sea of young drivers, Kuhlman holds fifth place in the overall Platinum Cup championship with 160 points. He is mathematically eligible to finish fourth when the checkered flag flies in Round 16 of competition Oct. 3.

Kuhlman, from Cincinnati, has finished on the overall podium three times in 2014, with third-place results at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Watkins Glen and Road America.

"I have to say every weekend I really measure myself against the top of the field," Kuhlman said. "The Masters class is a lot of fun and I really appreciate that IMSA does it, but for me personally I'm measuring myself against the front of the field. Not being satisfied with being the fastest Master has been important to me because it's a subset of what I am really trying to do, which is to be a top-five or podium car every event.

"For me, it's a matter of personal fitness. I have to work harder to stay physically fit on a level on par with these younger drivers. I want to be taken seriously as a driver. I have huge respect and appreciation for the sport and the talent it takes to be an accomplished race car driver. Everything I do is around being seen and respected as that type of participant."

Kuhlman is looking forward to ending the season on a high note at Road Atlanta as a part of the famed Petit Le Mans event.

"I love Road Atlanta," Kuhlman said. "I've historically been very fast there. I've qualified in the top five on several occasions. It's a good track for me, and my goal is to be an overall podium finisher without getting in the way of the fight that the guys up front have. Without messing up their race, my goal is to run up front, and I think I have the car, team

and experience to do it.

Schedule, Race Coverage

Practice for the two Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama rounds at Road Atlanta starts at 9:30 a.m. (ET) and 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, with qualifying at 8:35 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2.

Two 45-minute races are scheduled. The first race starts at 3:35 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, with the second at 11:25 a.m. Friday, Oct. 3.

Fans can follow the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama action this week from Road Atlanta in many ways. Both races will be streamed live at IMSA.com. Live timing from all on-track sessions also is available at IMSA.com, with live text commentary from all sessions tweeted @IMSALive.

A one-hour show featuring coverage from both races also will be televised Saturday, Oct. 25 in various U.S. markets as part of a new syndicated network television package partnership between the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SBGI). That broadcast also will be available on YouTube after it airs on television.

For more information about Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama, visit www.gt3cupchallengeusa.com, follow hashtag #GT3USA @IMSA on Twitter or IMSA on Facebook.