Sebring, Fla. (18 March 2015) – Continuing to set new marks in IMSA competition, Luis Bacardi’s Rum Bum Racing once again returned to the podium at Sebring International Raceway with a third place finish in what was a thrilling IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge show around the 3.74-mile central Florida road course. Brothers Hugh and Matt Plumb drove to the team’s 32nd podium and second consecutive Sebring podium result after finishing third in last year’s event.
Hugh Plumb opened the 2.5-hour race from the front row after qualifying second on the grid during Thursday’s qualifying session. At the drop of the green flag, he slotted into second behind the pole-sitting Mustang and delivered quick and consistent laps to remain among the top-three for the opening 50 minutes.
He had moved up to lead the race when Crew Chief Joe Varde called Hugh to pit lane for the team’s first pit stop some 53 minutes into the event. An expert full service stop of fuel, tires, and a driver change saw Matt Plumb emerge with the race lead ahead of the pole-sitting No. 15 Mustang of Billy Johnson. 
The one and only caution flag flew at the 1 hour and 10 minute mark with the Rum Bum team opting to pit under the yellow for fuel and tires. When the race went back to green with just over an hour to go, Matt restarted fifth.
A late-race quick pit stop under green flag conditions for fuel and left side tires with 38 minutes to go, saw Plumb return to the track once again with the race lead. He gave it all he had to hang on to that lead in the final stages, but despite excellent teamwork and pit stop execution from the Rum Bum team, the strong race pace of the Cayman and Mustang was too much for the Rum Bum Porsche and Matt hung on for third at the checkered flag.
“My hat’s off to Matt (Plumb) – he had his hands absolutely full there at the end surrounded by horsepower and performance that we didn’t quite have today,” said Hugh Plumb, of his brother’s final stint. “We’re super happy with third, points wise it’s a huge day. We just have to keep plugging along and focus forward on the next one at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.”
The No. 13 Rum Bum Racing Porsche was credited with 11 laps led, as the 2012 & 2013 IMSA Championship-winning team continues its pursuit toward the 2016 IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge championship.
“That was about the best we could have done today with what we had,” offered Team Manager and driver Matt Plumb. “I think maybe even a couple of positions better. We do what we can and try to set a pace that we think will win a race. We did everything we could and we’re third. Congrats to Billy (Johnson, No. 15 Mustang), he drove a great race. The Fords looked strong, the Caymans looked strong. Thanks to Luis Bacardi for assembling such a great group – our Rum Bum crew and their pit stops is what kept us in it.”
FOX Sports 1 will televise the Sebring International Raceway event on Sunday, March 27 at 12:30 PM ET.
