Race: Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring
Car: No. 57 Heinricher Racing & Meyer Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo
Drivers: Katherine Legge, Christina Nielsen, Bia Figueiredo
Tune In Information:
10:30-1:00pm ET CNBC
1:00-3:00pm ET NBCSN App
3:00-11:pm ET NBCSN
10:30-10:30pm ET IMSA.tv
IMSA Rewind
Kicking off the season opener at Daytona International Speedway, the all-female Heinricher Racing and Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) line up of Katherine Legge, Christina Nielsen, Bia Figueiredo and Simona De Silvestro drove to the finish of the rain-soaked event. A 13th place finish was the result of an off-course excursion which brought the car in for repairs late in the race. Looking for redemption, the team is hoping for an improved result this weekend at Sebring International Raceway.
Sebring Vets
Veterans at the 3.74-mile circuit, Legge and Nielsen are prepped to spearhead the weekend by taking upon lessons learned from the previous five years competing at Sebring International Raceway. Nielsen has an outstanding record of success at the Florida circuit, winning the 2016 edition of the event – on the way to clinching the IMSA GTD championship that same year. She also holds two additional podium finishes at the 12 hour event in 2015 and 2017. Nielsen has stood on the podium three times in the last four years racing at the track.
Similarly, Legge has the extensive experience racing around the notoriously bumpy circuit, competing in the last five editions of the race in both Prototype and GTD competition. Legge’s best finish was eighth in 2018 with Meyer Shank Racing.
New to Sebring
A part of the Heinricher Racing and MSR endurance line up, Figueiredo will be racing at Sebring International for the first time. The Brazilian is familiar with the track having participated in a handful of IndyCar tests on sections of the track. Figueiredo had her first chance to use the full 3.74-mile track in a recent test earlier this month.
Heinricher support from the sidelines
After suffering from a back injury which sidelined her from the opening round of the IMSA season, Heinricher is still standing strong as she will be once again showing her support from behind the pit wall at Sebring. Heinricher, who made her vision become a reality in the formation of the Heinricher Racing all-female race team, continues to show her day-to-day dedication to the team and empowering women inside and outside of the sport.
Driver / Team Quotes:
Jackie Heinricher:
“I’m really looking forward to Sebring and to supporting my teammates for the 12-hour race. We demonstrated our unity, power and talent at Daytona during our first race as a team and Sebring will be no different. Meyer Shank Racing continues to give us the very best car and their professionalism and support is unmatched. We’re a powerful team and Katherine, Bia and Christina will be a powerful trio to watch as we take on our second race towards the championship.”
Mike Shank:
“Daytona was the first time that Katherine, Christina, Bia and Simona all competed with each other and the performance by everyone exceeded my expectations. Between the talent in the car combined with Jackie’s support, we have a very strong team and it’s a team that has the chance to do really well this season. Sebring is a tough track, but Christina has done a phenomenal job here in the past and Katherine knows the ins and outs of the Acura here. Bia is a quick learner and I think we have a very strong car for the 12 hour.”
Katherine Legge:
“I don’t feel any more or less confident. I already felt at the beginning of the year we have a great team, car and driver line up. It’s unfortunate we didn’t earn more points in Daytona but we are looking to redeem ourselves at Sebring. Sebring historically has not been our strongest venue but we have done a lot of work to develop and improve, and we have made a great deal of progress.”
Christina Nielsen:
“I am excited to return to Sebring with Heinricher Racing and MSR. They really impressed me at Daytona, and I am grateful to be with such a professional team. I actually thought there was a great flow and synergy at Daytona almost right from the start. Things normally get better with time so I’m excited to continue the develop together with the rest of the team. The great thing is that everyone has the mentality to want to improve. I’m very excited for Sebring, it’s one of my favorite tracks and hopefully we can continue our progress.”
Bia Figueiredo:
“For me Daytona was something new in so many ways. It was great to get to know the car, the team, the rules and so many other details. Having that race under my belt makes me feel more comfortable and confident. It was a great test at Sebring and helped me to get to know the track and get confidence in some really bumpy corners. It was super hot at times, but it was good to feel what we should have on race day. I am ready to improve even more next time I get in the track.”