Muscle Milk AMR: Lucas Luhr joins Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing

Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing has added four-time American Le Mans Series champion Lucas Luhr to its 2011 ALMS driver lineup.

The German will be joining regular drivers Greg Pickett and Klaus Graf for the three major endurance races this season starting with the 12 Hours of Sebring in March.

Luhr will then return to the team for the final two races of the season, the six-hour event at Laguna Seca and the 10-hour/1000-mile Petit Le Mans.

It was at last year's season-ending race at Road Atlanta that Luhr first competed with the Muscle Milk squad, placing second in the famed event.

"I'm very happy to be returning with the Muscle Milk team," expressed Luhr who will also take part in the Sebring Winter Test with the team in a couple of weeks. "We had a good weekend together at Road Atlanta last season and I felt very comfortable with them and I got along well with Klaus (Graf) and Greg (Pickett). I think that is one of the most important things when being part of a team.

"I want to thank Greg for giving me this opportunity to compete with them in the ALMS endurance races this season. It will be the first time I drive a LMP1 coupe so it will be a new experience for me but I am really looking forward to it. I can't wait to get my first feel of the Aston Martin LMP1 at the Winter Test."

Since his first ALMS start in 2000, Luhr has gone on to compete in 69 races, claiming 31 victories, 54 top-three finishes, 61 top-fives and 68 top-10s. He won two GT Championships, in 2002 and 2003, took top honors in the LMP2 Championship in 2006 aboard the Porsche RS Spyder and won the 2008 LMP1 championship as an Audi works driver.

"We're very happy to welcome Lucas back to the team. We had a successful weekend with him at Petit Le Mans last season and truly enjoyed working with him," said team owner and co-driver Greg Pickett. "He is not only a fantastic race car driver but he is also a great ambassador for our team and our Muscle Milk brand.

"I took pleasure in watching him race for us last season but I am really looking forward to having him as my teammate this year," concluded Pickett who will be making a return behind the wheel since his season-ending practice shunt at Mid-Ohio last August.

Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing will be on track in two weeks time to take part in the two-day Sebring Winter Test, which takes place February 9-10.

The 2011 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón season kicks off with the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 19.