Sellers: Lewis to “Excel” in Expanded Paul Miller Role

Bryan Sellers believes that Paul Miller Racing’s late-season stand in Corey Lewis will “excel” as part of the team’s regular GT Daytona driver lineup.

Lewis, who started 2019 as the team’s Michelin Endurance Cup driver in the No. 48 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo, is replacing the injured Ryan Hardwick for the final five rounds of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.

Sellers told Sportscar365 that he expects his new driving partner to enjoy a more focused role as part of PMR’s ‘sprint’ race setup.

The pairing had their first race as a duo last time out at Lime Rock Park, where they finished seventh in class.

“For a guy like Corey, it’s almost easier to come in and be the full-time driver as opposed to the third driver,” said Sellers.

“As the third driver, your role is very specific to come in and not mess up.

“As the full-time driver, it’s easier to come in and know what’s expected of you. You have to push, you have to qualify well and you have to go fast.

“Your role is much more defined as the full-time guy, so especially for a guy like Corey, he’ll excel in this scenario.”

Sellers expects Paul Miller Racing to benefit from Lewis’ prior experience in the Lamborghini GT3 Evo, which made its debut at the start of this year.

“First of all, Ryan and I learned and progressed and continued to improve, and so when you see something like that happens it’s a pretty bitter pill to swallow,” he said, referring to Hardwick’s accident at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park which ruled him out for the season.

“When you’re in a good pairing you want to finish what you started with them, so it’s tough to see him side-lined.

“But then you go the flip side of it and think that you’re pretty fortunate to be able to step into it with someone like Corey, who the team and I have a history with.

“He’s very good at helping us with analyzing where the car is at and where we need to go.

“A big thing in GTD now is the constant development of the car. Having him be able to step in and contribute to these areas is always beneficial.

“The more people you can have on the car who are knowledgeable, the quicker the program moves. We’re looking forward to the continued progression with him and the new car.”

Huracan GT3 Evo Suited to Road America

Sellers thinks Road America presents Paul Miller Racing with an opportunity for a good result with its Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo, which is racing at the track for the first time.

The team’s last podium finish, which is so far its only top-three result of the season, came at Mid-Ohio back in May.

“I think we’ll have a strong car here,” said Sellers.

“This has been a good place for us in the past. We had a podium here last year, finishing second, and we’ve had other strong races.

“I think this one will be a little bit different because the Evo car is a little bit draggier [than the standard Huracan], but that’s not always a bad thing at this place.

“People think it’s all just straight lines but there are also a lot of corners and brake zones too. That’s where this car really excels, in the heavy braking stuff.”