Mazda vs Honda, Closed top vs Open Top, Dyson Racing vs Muscle Milk Pickett Racing, Red, White & Blue vs Red, White & Blue – for the colors are similar for this weekend at least.

Guy Smith and Lucas Luhr’s battle for pole at Lime Rock Park today was a thriller. Both drivers pushed their cars to the limits – right to the track edge and beyond.

Smith, Dyson and Mazda took the top spot today – a great fightback after the Muscle Milk squad totally dominated proceedings at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

“It was a bit nip and tuck and very entertaining,” Smith said.

“We have struggled this year; it has been an uphill battle. After the Monterey round (in May, team owner) Rob Dyson said we need to knuckle down and put in the work. We’ve worked for the last seven weeks and tested and tested and tested. We’ve come here and regrouped and focused on what we need to focus on, so let’s hope this is a turning point for us tomorrow.”

Luhr was disappointed to miss the pole but still pleased with his overall pace.

“It was exciting! We could have gone quicker if we didn’t catch traffic, which was very unfortunate because it’s hard to catch traffic with such a small number of cars on track in our qualifying session,” Luhr said.

“I was a bit angry about it when I got out of the car but on the bright side we have a very, very, quick car and I did a lot of, consecutive, very competitive lap times. There’s still some work to do but the car has been great. I think we are looking very good, very strong, for the race. The Muscle Milk Pickett Racing team did a fantastic job as always and I’m looking forward to it.”

Smith talked to Michelin Alley to discuss his team’s great fightback.