After having to fight back from a four lap deficit in 2012 to finish second, the Muscle Milk Pickett Racing duo Klaus Graf and Lucas Luhr had a much easier time to move to victory in 2013.

The longest circuit on the American Le Mans Series makes it very difficult to put rivals down a lap. The dominant HPD team have been able to put rivals down a lap earlier in races at other venues, and then cruise to the finish.

There was no rest for the wicked at Road America as Graf and Luhr further extended their championship lead. Road America has been a venue with amazing race finishes in recent years – sadly a late race caution period ruined the chance of another show stopper.

“When I got in the car, the track was pretty much dry, but not completely. It looked like it dried differently in different places,” Graf said.

“I think even at the end of the race there were spots that weren’t dry yet. But I think we couldn’t be as quick even as we were in practice. I was happy with how fast the car was, and so when I pit at the end we went just for fuel because we knew that the Michelin’s could easily double-stint from practice.

“With all the changing conditions and yellows, there were no relaxing all day. We were always being attacked, there were lots of opportunities that we could have lost the lead. And now Lucas is safe with overall win records in the American Le Mans Series, so I’m happy for him to have that honor.”

With five victories in succession and another championship victory looming for Muscle Milk Pickett Racing, Graf is sad to see the end of an era but excited about the future ahead.

“I think we just have to bring a different weapon to the party next year,” Graff said.

“It’s kind of sad, driving these LMP1 is the most satisfying thing you can drive.

“But the way the LMP1 rules are going, the new series decided that’s not in the best interest. There are a lot of challenges for the new series so we have to come up with the best decision for Picket racing where we can showcase the talent and quality of the team.

“You have to be mindful of that to make the right decision. We are an engineering driven team where driver’s have a lot of experience and knowledge and we want to use that into the next year.”