Rolex 24 at Daytona: Ganassi Make History

This year’s version of the “twice ‘round the clock” race was won in both classes by cars who consistently ran up front and dominated the race. Chip Ganassi with Felix Sabates Racing made history by winning the Rolex three times in a row. The No. 01 team lead by drivers Scott Pruett and formula F1 veteran Juan Pablo Montoya beat the closest competitor, the No.99 GAINSCO/Stalling Racing car driven by Alex Guerney, by two laps. The No. 01 Telemex/Target Lexus Riley has led 53% of the laps run at Daytona over the past three Rolex 24 events. Strong throughout the race, the No. 01 took command of the lead in the mid-morning hours after Michael Shank Racing’s No. 6 car led by AJ Allmendinger and Burt Frissele broke a rear suspension on the backstretch of the speedway.

SpeedSource’s No. 70 car, driven by Sylvan Tremblay, hardly had any troubles since winning the GT class pole. Leading the class for the majority of the race, SpeedSource went on to win the class for the team’s first class victory at the Rolex 24. “We all deserved this victory”, said driver Raphael Matos, after completing just his first Rolex 24.

Other quick facts from the Rolex 24:

Sprint Cup drivers Kurt Busch, Dario Franchetti and Jimmie Johnson all landed on the podium for their respective teams, but will have to celebrate at 35,000 feet as they jet off to Las Vegas for Nascar testing starting tomorrow.

Actor Patrick Dempsey and his SoBe Life Water No. 40 race team finished 24th in class. The key word being finished. Dempsey had his fair share of difficulty throughout the race, but HyperSport Racing managed to keep the car running and finished the race running.

The father-son duo of Derek and Justin Bell only completed 65 laps. Derek Bell, who said this Rolex 24 would be his last international race, did not even turn a lap in the car before the RVO Motorsports No. 12 retired from the event.

Team Salhen No.42 Corvette and Team Spencer Motorsports withdrew before the race
began.

GT Class winner SpeedSource No. 70 and GT Class runner-up TRG No. 66 finished in the Top 10 overall.

The No. 01 Telemex/Target Lexus Riley has led 53% of the laps run at Daytona in the last three Rolex 24 events.

Dario Franchetti became the third driver to win the Rolex 24 the year after winning the Indy 500.

For more information regarding the Rolex 24 and Grand-am series, visit grand-am.com.