Shane Lewis never set out to become America's premier race car driver at Germany's renowned Nürburgring. However, in just four 24 Hours of Nürburgring (2004, '05, '10, '11) and two Nürburgring Six Hours starts ('09, '11) as well as an American Le Mans Series race on the Grand Prix course ('00), the Jupiter, Fla.-resident has racked up a 24 Hour win ('10), two Six Hour victories ('09, '11) and two other 24 Hour podiums ('04, '10). It all amounts to an outstanding 86 percent podium success rate at Nürburgring! The May 19-20 ADAC Zurich 24 Hours of Nürburgring can further establish Lewis as America's ultimate ace on the 15.753-mile (25.359 km), 73-turn Nordschleife. For the 40th anniversary running of the race, Lewis will re-team with longtime co-driver Vic Rice (San Rafael, CA) as well as Germans Karl Pflanz and Kim Hauschild in the No. 60 Hamburg Racing Team (HRT) Aston Martin Vantage N24.

The ALMS and GRAND-AM race winner will be attempting his 33rd-career 24-hour race start when he travels to the track nicknamed the "Green Hell". Lewis has added two 24-hour races to his resume already this season. He opened the year with a debut in the 24 Hour of Dubai in January driving the HRT Aston Martin for the first time. He finished fifth driving the No. 125 Aston with the same driver lineup he will race with at Nürburgring. He followed that with his 15th Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona start where he ran near the top-five much of the event in a GT class Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.

Success at Nürburgring does not come easily. Even with the massive competition of up to 250 cars possible on the grid, it is the legendary venue that makes this among the most prestigious of all endurance races to win. Begun in 1970, the race has grown significantly. To go 24 hours without any substantial run-in or mechanical issue demands nearly superhuman driving skill. Unlike most circuits, it is nearly impossible for a driver to learn every nuance of the Nordschleife - translated to "North Swipe" as the full circuit takes not only the Grand Prix course familiar to Formula One fans but also a daunting additional stretch into the woods surrounding the track. Due to its length and number of turns, memorizing the circuit, its braking points, turn-in points and exit mark for each corner demands years of