American Le Mans Series veteran Butch Leitzinger returned to action at Road America and bounced straight back to victory lane on debut in the LMPC class with PR1 Mathiason Motorsports and co-driver Rudy Junco.

Leitzinger has now won in the P1, the old LMP675 class, GTC and LMPC – he even joked at the press conference about taking a shot at a GT win in the future.

After qualifying on pole with Leitzinger at the wheel, the PR1 machine settled into second after Mexican racer’s stint. Leitzinger was able to push the #52 machine not only into the race lead, but up to third place overall in the four hour Road Race Showcase.

Eric Lux improved his LMPC championship chances when he shaved the championship lead of Gunnar Jeannette and Ricardo Gonzalez from 15 points back to a mere seven.

Lux finished second with teammates Christian Zugel and Elton Julian for Genoa Racing while the CORE autosport duo of Jeannette and Gonzalez finished back in fifth after an action-packed race which included a spin, contact with the wall, a new splitter and a clash with another LMPC car for Gonzalez.

Jeannette was also in the wars – having to limp back to the pits after trying to outbrake an GTC car – the Porsche made contact the rear of CORE machine as Jeannette moved to the right at turn five.

The final spot on the podium went to the second CORE machine of Jon Bennett and Frankie Montecalvo. They also endured their share of drama over the weekend with a crash for Bennett in final practice just prior to qualifying and a high speed off track excursion for Montecalvo in the carousel.

Clint Field took fourth for Intersport – teamed this weekend with the Ducote brothers – Chapman and David.

Click the PLAY button below to listen to Leitznger at the post-qualifying press conference

[powerpress url=”//www.michelinracingusa.com/wp-content/uploads/leitzinger_press_conf_roadam_11.mp3″]