Montagny sets record, takes LMP2 pole

Franck Montagny is showing America that he is the real deal and should really have a top open wheel racing ride in IndyCar

Franck Montagny, a French driver with experience in both Formula One and 24 Hours of Le Mans, broke the LMP2 track record at Road America Saturday by more than one and a half seconds with a clocking of one minute, 47.345 seconds and a speed of 135.757 miles per hour, easily bettering the previous mark of 1:48.833 [133.901 m.p.h.], set last year by Romain Dumas.

Montagny, who'll team with young British driver James Rossiter in Saturday’s American Le Mans Series feature, recorded Andretti Green Racing's second American Le Mans Series pole with a solid performance Friday. Montagny quickly jumped to the top of the timing charts in the 20-minute session with a track-record at 1:48.028, followed by a 1:47.491 and then a 1:47.345.

Montagny said afterwards, "This track is very good. It's a proper road-racing track for America. It is closer to what we race in Europe. I didn't like the Lime Rock track and I thought Mid-Ohio was better. This circuit is even better than Mid-Ohio. Our XM Acura has been improving with each race for me, and I am getting used to the car and the team. I am really enjoying racing in the American Le Mans Series. This is the most fun I have had in racing. The atmosphere is so much different than in Europe. It is a friendly place to race. The XM team has been making very good changes with the car. James [Rossiter] is given us good feedback. I think he is a good driver and will help the team. I like our position on the front row and we'll have a good chance to win on Saturday."