The 2-time Le Mans class winner and former DTM champion was a last-minute fill-in to drive Legacy Motor Membership’s No. 42 Chevrolet two weeks in the past on the Indy Highway Course and once more this previous Sunday at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) Worldwide.
NASCAR indefinitely suspended the group’s unique driver, Noah Gragson, and he has since requested for and acquired his launch from the group.
Rockenfeller, who was one of many three drivers of NASCAR’s Storage 56 entry on this yr’s Le Mans 24 Hours, overcame a pit street rushing penalty at Indy and completed twenty fourth.
A second-consecutive week driving NASCAR’s Subsequent Gen automotive improved his efficiency as he certified twenty first – his finest begin in a Cup race – and ended up nineteenth.
As within the Indy race, Rockenfeller was hampered by a problem on pit street Sunday at Watkins Glen. His group had hassle on cease within the race and he misplaced eight positions.
Additionally just like the Indy race, Watkins Glen noticed just one warning and ended with a protracted green-flag run, however he was nonetheless in a position to acquire three spots on the ultimate lap to earn his career-best Cup end.
Mike Rockenfeller, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: Gavin Baker / NKP / Motorsport Images
“Ranging from twenty first and solely ending nineteenth is for certain not what we had been hoping for or what I hoped for,” Rockenfeller, 39, mentioned. “On the primary pitstop, we had a problem on the left aspect with the jack and we misplaced a ton of time there. That in all probability value us eight spots, however that’s how it’s.
“The automotive was difficult to drive however for certain we realized loads once more within the race. The final stint, I’d say, after the restart we had been fairly OK. On the very finish, I used to be simply hanging on. Getting three positions on the final lap was good and made a top-20 end, which on the finish remains to be my finest consequence.
“Because of the group and everyone for letting me hop within the seat and attempt to do my finest. I hope to come back again.”
Whereas the deal has but to be finalized, Rockenfeller has been in discussions to drive the No. 42 for LMC within the Oct. 8 Cup race on the Charlotte Roval, which he drove final season for Spire Motorsports.
That will give him 5 Cup begins over two seasons and he has completed higher every time he’s had a chance within the automotive.
Mike Rockenfeller, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Images
Rockenfeller mentioned there was “no query” getting back-to-back weeks within the Cup automotive was useful to his development.
“You’re extra within the zone with the group, and also you talk higher and perceive one another higher,” he mentioned. “It simply takes time. You’re racing towards the very best of the very best right here. You see guys one week could be on high and the subsequent you could be within the mid-field or the again. It’s super-tight.
“For me it was good to have the back-to-back occasions. We’ve made progress, not adequate actually, however I feel it leaves me extra ready for the race. It simply takes a little bit little bit of time.
“I’m joyful that we’ve made progress – it’s good for the group and good for myself.”
