top of page

O'Connell and Pilgrim Ready for Home Pirelli World Challenge Weekend at Detroit

  • plugged2racing
  • May 26, 2015
  • 2 min read

Cadillac Racing drivers Johnny O'Connell and Andy Pilgrim are ready for the Pirelli World Challenge Series Cadillac V-Series Challenge weekend on Detroit's Belle Isle Park, May 29-31.

Johnny O'Connell (Flowery Branch, Ga.) is coming off a two race sweep at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park two weeks ago. O'Connell has owned the Belle Isle Park street circuit in World Challenge the 2.3-mile, 13-turn circuit located in the middle of the Detroit River, competition over the last three years. In six starts on he has amassed five wins and a second place in six race starts. Teammate Andy Pilgrim (Boca Raton, Fla.) has also had great runs with three podium finishes and a second place run in 2014.

"Like always, it's going to take perfect execution from every person on the team to be successful this weekend," O'Connell said. "I need to be very time aware and efficient in practice and then be one 100% perfect for qualifying as a good starting position will be critical. The new pavement will have us doing a little more set-up work as our past data may not apply. A smooth track is a fast track."

O'Connell can see the GM World Headquarters just south of the track. "There is a ton of extra pressure," he continued. "When all of the top executives come up to you and wish you luck, you know you have an opportunity to show them what you and the team can really do. Personally I always have enjoyed those pressure situations and look forward to seeing everyone at the race track that cannot always get to our fly away races."

Pilgrim is coming off of a tough Canadian weekend and is looking to use his knowledge of the Detroit circuit to rebound with a couple of strong finishes this weekend.

"Attitude is everything after the last couple of difficult race weekends," Pilgrim said. "It is incredibly important to put them behind us. I am focusing on the great team we have and I know they will give me a great car for Detroit. We will go one race at a time from this point and start to climb back up."

The Belle Isle circuit has been repaved since last year. "I am excited to try the new surface," he continued. "It looks like they have a done a great job and I can't wait to run it at speed. If the weather is good we should be able to lay a good amount of rubber down."

Detroit also brings home field pressure. "There is definitely more pressure running in Detroit, especially right in front of the Ren Cen and all the GM brass," Pilgrim relayed. "But once you're in the car you have to forget what's outside and just focus hard on the job at hand. We want to win every time out, no matter where we are, but being on the podium in Detroit is always especially sweet."

The Pirelli World Challenge Series will travel to Detroit for a double race weekend May 29-31. For the first time Sunday's World Challenge race will be televised live on CBS Sports Network Sunday, May 31, 12:00 p.m. ET.

Contact:

kyle@kcapr.com

 
 
 

Comments


Recent Posts

© Copyright 2013-2017. All rights reserved.
Plugged 2 Racing is not associated with any racing series or sanctioning body. Copyrighted material is used under Fair Use guidelines. 
If you are a copyright holder and feel your material has been used illegaly, please contact us.

bottom of page