P2 (5 Entries)

THE CONTENDERS:

Level 5 Motorsports (HPD ARX-03b): While yet to commit to a full-season effort, the two-time and defending class champions have pulled out all the stops in quest of victory. With the lineup of Ryan Briscoe, Marino Franchitti (No. 95) plus Simon Pagenaud and Ryan Hunter-Reay (No. 055), along with team owner Scott Tucker, who will again pull double-duty between both cars, Level 5 is clearly again the team to beat.

Level 5 leads the charge in P2, although hampered by early week engine-related issues. (Photo: John Dagys)

A move to PC-spec Michelin tires this weekend put some initial questions, but the bigger issue had been engine-related involving HPD's new direct injection system on the 2.8-liter V6 twin turbo powerplant. Level 5 had gone through no fewer than two engines since unloading on Saturday, but a solution appears to have been made Tuesday afternoon that should see them and fellow HPD squad Extreme Speed Motorsports, also running customer-grade Michelins, all set for the race.

Extreme Speed Motorsports (HPD ARX-03b): Having made a surprise 11th hour switch to P2, the Scott Sharp-owned squad is playing catch-up as it acclimates itself to the prototype ranks. While certainly not lacking top-level prototype experience within members of the team, including 2009 ALMS P1 champion Sharp, ESM’s challenge will be to all of the pieces together for a class-winning run.

There’s no shortage of talent, especially in the team’s lead HPD, with Sharp rejoined by former Highcroft co-driver David Brabham and Guy Cosmo, who will share the wheel of the No. 01 Patron entry for the season, running as a Silver-rated “amateur” driver. Johannes van Overbeek, Anthony Lazzaro and Patron CEO Ed Brown make up the driving force in the No. 02 entry, which is less likely to fight for class honors.

THE SPOILER:

Greaves Motorsport (Zytek Z11SN Nissan): One of only four European teams making the trip to Sebring this year, the British-based Greaves Motorsport squad features the steady lineup of Eric Lux and Christian Zugel, who is joined by three-time Le Mans class winner Tom Kimber-Smith.

Sporting 2012 FIA WEC P2-spec Dunlop tires, the team’s Zytek Z11SN Nissan could have a slight advantage over one lap or perhaps even a stint when TKS is at the wheel, but will likely not play a significant factor in the race, unless the HPDs continue to suffer issues.