Ford GT Wins Back-To-Back Rolex 24 Races 🏆 🏁

It was a 1-2 finish for Ford Chip Ganassi Racing at the 56th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Teammates Ryan Briscoe*, Richard Westbrook and Scott Dixon drove the No. 67 across the finish line, recording back-to-back wins for the Ford GT and delivering the 200th win to team owner Chip Ganassi. The No. 66 sister-car with drivers Joey Hand*, Dirk Müller and Sébastien Bourdais (2017 Rolex 24 At Daytona winners) secured a second place podium finish in this year’s season opener.

“Both teams ran an exceptional race,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Congratulations to Chip and Ford Performance, they put together a great team and race strategy for the weekend. It’s an honor to partner and work with Ford Performance on the Ford EcoBoost V6 program and power Chip’s 200th win. To win an endurance race of this length two years in a row takes an extraordinary team effort and I’m so proud of the entire Ford team.”

Thanks to everyone at @FordPerformance @CGRsportscar @roushyates for an incredible #Rolex24. It's exciting to see both teams on the podium. Congrats to @GanassiChip & his entire organization for 200th win at @DISupdates . Looking forward to speedweeks! https://t.co/taTJkErMNb pic.twitter.com/iAI1L6ryZH

— Doug Yates (@Yates_Doug) January 29, 2018

This win marked Chip Ganassi’s historic 200th win; 103 Indy Car, 56 Sportscar, 39 Stock Car and 2 Rally Car wins, exemplifying his legendary career in motorsports. “Congratulations Chip,” from all of us at Roush Yates Engines.

“It’s obviously a great win and a great weekend,” Ganassi said. “In terms of the win, it was one of the most nerve-wracking races. You know, when you come out of the blocks like that and leading it after about three or four hours or something. After a certain amount of hours go around the clock a little bit, it’s your race to lose. It’s one thing not to win a race, it’s another to lose it. It was our race to lose and those are one of the worst races from my point of view, because everything is out of my control. My hats off to the team, the drivers, the engineers, the mechanics, the people that build the engines, and the people who built the cars. They’re the ones that deserve to be sitting up here along with the drivers and myself.”

The direct injection, 3.6L, twin-turbo Ford EcoBoost V6 race engines performed superbly during the 24-hour endurance race, completing a record 2,787.48 miles (783 laps x 3.56-mile circuit) each. The No. 67 and No. 66 each completed 783 race laps, surpassing the previous 719 lap (3.84-mile circuit, 2,760.96 miles) record for the race.

EcoBoost technology helped the #FordGT and @CGRsportscar to a 1-2 finish @DISUpdates highlighting back-to-back #Rolex24 victories pic.twitter.com/VKlwSYr8dD

— Ford Performance (@FordPerformance) January 29, 2018

All Ford entries who competed during the IMSA weekend bore a special decal for Ford racing legend Dan Gurney, who died Jan. 14, 2018. The serial number on the winning Ford EcoBoost engine was "GT40."

The Roush Yates Engines’ Calibration Engineers Craig Ashmore, Charles Vogel and Adam McMaster, alongside Ford Performance teammates monitored the engines, adjusted calibration mapping and traction control inputs in order to maximize the power and performance of the Ford EcoBoost throughout the challenging endurance race.

"This win was a complete team effort," commented Wade Riesterer, Technical Manager of Road Racing for Roush Yates Engines.

The Ford Mustang GT4 entries also had a successful weekend in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge GS class with NASCAR development drivers adapting quickly to their first IMSA endurance sports car race. The No. 15 Cole Custer, Ty Majeski and veteran champion driver Scott Maxwell claimed their first podium, finishing third overall. The podium was the sixth overall for the Mustang GT4 in the Continental Tire series since Ford debuted the car at Daytona last January.

This past weekend’s results provide momentum to Ford Chip Ganassi Racing as they head into the Twelve Hours of Sebring. The next IMSA race will be held at Sebring International Raceway, March 14 - 17.

14 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 313 WINS – 282 POLES!

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Rolex 24 #Winners (Prototype, GTLM, and GTD)

Action Express Outlast the field at Rolex 24

Daytona Rolex 24 Podium

 Action Express ran away with the Rolex 24 in what was pretty much a dud as far as final-hour dramatics. The No. 5 Cadillac led nearly the final nine hours and broke the record for laps completed (808) and miles completed (2,876.48).

Celebrating in @Gatorade Victory Lane with our GTD podium finishers GRT, @MichaelShankRac & @paulmilleracing! #Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/UUaXwuJF1c

— Rolex24Hours (@Rolex24Hours) January 28, 2018

From sunrise to sunset to sunrise again, fans witnessed as both driver and machine are pushed to the limit in this twice-around-the-clock marathon 

“This is a great endurance achievement and story,” said IMSA CEO Ed Bennett. “We are extremely proud of all the drivers, teams, manufacturers and IMSA officials who played important roles to achieve this together.” 

Below are the winners of this grueling endurance race.

Prototype Winners:

• Felipe Albuquerque
• Joao Barbosa
• Christian Fittipaldi

There's finishing the race and there's winning it. We just did both. #CadillacRacing #Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/OcZD9K2QAJ

— Cadillac (@Cadillac) January 28, 2018

Good morning everyone.
It’s 9h37m. 😂 pic.twitter.com/flJg6LzyE8

— Filipe Albuquerque (@AlbuquerqueFil) January 29, 2018

GTLM Winners

• Ryan Briscoe
• Richard Westbrook
• Scott Dixon

#FordIMSA | Two-time champs at #Rolex24: #FordGT, Ford #EcoBoost and @CGRsportscar pic.twitter.com/60meMwOvCa

— Ford Performance (@FordPerformance) January 28, 2018

Big day for @CGRTeams! Celebrating a GTLM 1-2 finish and the 200th win all in one day! #Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/AcIrcTHJiK

— Rolex24Hours (@Rolex24Hours) January 28, 2018

GTD Winners:

• Rolff Ineichen
• Mirko Bortolotti
• Franck Perera
• Rik Breukers

Forza !!! We win the Rolex 24h of Daytona🏆Big thanks to all the team Grasser racing for this perfect job, from mecanics, ingenieurs, all Grasser people during this event, my team mates Rolf Ineichen, Mirko Bortolotti and Rik Breukers and off course Lamborghini Squadra Corse. pic.twitter.com/Ty0s76SkcA

— Franck Perera (@franck_perera) January 28, 2018

GRT with the #Rolex24 Victory in the GTD class! pic.twitter.com/DVSWHqXrIj

— Rolex24Hours (@Rolex24Hours) January 28, 2018

Lighting up the Daytona sky ...@IMSA | #Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/Q0C9Ap9CgB

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 28, 2018

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Rolex 24 Grand Marshal Chip Ganassi on Verge of 200th Overall Career Win as Team Owner

The boys are back in town and they’re ready for some serious racing action this weekend.

That best describes Ford Chip Ganassi Racing heading into Saturday’s 56th annual Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Not only are defending GTLM winners Joey Hand, Dirk Muller and Sebastien Bourdais back to defend their 2017 Rolex 24 title in the No. 66 Ford GT, team owner Chip Ganassi will be Rolex royalty, serving as Grand Marshal for the event.

And if that’s not all, Ganassi – who has been coming to Daytona since first serving as a crew member in 1985 – is going for his 200th overall race win as a team owner across all platforms he’s been involved in over his career, including IMSA, IndyCar, WEC and NASCAR.

#FordIMSA | Two hours to go in the #Rolex24 and the Ford GTs make their final driver change. @RWestbrook1 sits in p1 with @JoeyHandRacing close behind. pic.twitter.com/fHFpEEOXwH

— Ford Performance (@FordPerformance) January 28, 2018

He’s also seeking his third overall Rolex win, having previously done so in both Prototype and GTLM.

“The Rolex 24 At Daytona is always a special race to me, not only because it signifies the beginning of the racing season but more importantly because of the magnitude of the event itself,” Ganassi said. “There are few races in the world that capture the imagination of race fans everywhere as well as the automotive industry and the Rolex is one of them.

“It also has a diverse group or manufacturers and drivers alike and when you win the Rolex 24 At Daytona, you know you have accomplished something special.”

The No. 66 will start Saturday’s 24-hour endurance race second in the GTLM class, just missing the top qualifying spot by 19/100ths of a second. It was on the pole for last year’s race.

“How cool would it be if we could win this thing for Chip’s 200th win after he gives us the call to start our engines?,” Hand said. “That would be something, for sure.

“In the history of Chip Ganassi Racing, they’ve always had good race cars at Daytona, so I think we have another good shot at it. Last year it came down to six or seven cars at the finish, so really it’s a no-mistakes race. You have to be clean for 24 hours. We spent a lot of time at Roar trying to make a good race car and obviously we did pretty well because we had the quickest lap.”

The No. 66 was the quickest in the Roar Before the Rolex 24 three weeks ago, while the No. 67 was third-quickest, giving them first and third choices of garage/pit space.

“The key for us on the No. 66 team is to always make a good race car, because you have to have a car you can put in position,” Hand said. “Sometimes you have to pass on the inside, sometimes on the outside. It has to be a good overall race car you can place anywhere. Hopefully we get back to the race and have a good car like we left the Roar with.”

Meanwhile, the No. 67 of Ryan Briscoe, Richard Westbrook and Scott Dixon will start fifth in the nine-car class (it finished 10th in last year’s Rolex), having qualified with a time of 1:43:091. The team was the No. 2 qualifier for last year’s race.

“Daytona is unique and like no other track we race on,” driver Richard Westbrook said. “It’s all about a compromise of top speed on the straight to get through the traffic and carrying enough downforce to help you through the infield.

“To turn consistent quick laps, you have to be quick through the infield but also make the passes on the straight, otherwise your laps are ruined following slower traffic through the infield.”

Added Briscoe, “I think last year was a really strong performance for our cars. “We had really good pace and we proved that we could win the race.

“I think we come into this year feeling fairly confident that we have done what we can to prepare, but there are so many unknowns. We have a lot of experience with the equipment and race, but it’s always a tough one. It’s a 24-hour race and a lot can, and will, happen. We just have to trust our preparation.”

source

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Ready for the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA?!

Since 1962, racing legends that span the motorsports universe have come to compete in DAYTONA's endurance sports car classic. From sunrise to sunset to sunrise again, witness as both driver and machine are pushed to the limit in this twice-around-the-clock marathon.

Looking forward to the 2018 season with the @FordPerformance @CGRsportscar #FordGTs. The @Rolex24Hours starts today @ 2:40 p.m. @DISupdates #Rolex24 #FordIMSA #IMSA pic.twitter.com/PrVE6UJqYb

— Doug Yates (@Yates_Doug) January 27, 2018

The roar of the world's elite sports cars. The adrenaline of speed. The unexpected around every turn. At the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, every tick of the clock brings this and more. Each moment is your opportunity to discover a new experience, and everywhere you go is a chance to see the race from a new vantage point.

Last year’s Rolex 24-winning team, the No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi Prototype of Wayne Taylor Racing, is on the pole. New WTR driver Renger van der Zande is joined in the superlative lineup by reigning WeatherTech Championship co-champion Jordan Taylor and former Indianapolis 500 champion Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Follow @Rolex24Hours For Updates

 

Rolex 24 Schedule

Saturday, January 27th

• 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Motorsports Hall of Fame open in Daytona Ticket and Tours building
• 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM Grassroots Motorsports Experience located at the Grassroots Motorsports tent along Lake Lloyd
• 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Fanatics merchandise store open in Stadium
• 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Daytona Rewards stations open in stadium & UNOH Fanzone
• 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM UNOH Fanzone Kids Zone open
• 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM Carnival Rides at the Boardwalk Experience
• 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship driver autograph session inside UNOH Fanzone
• 1:05 PM - 2:20 PM Grid opens for fan access to pre-race ceremonies on Pit Road
• 1:05 PM - 2:20 PM Crossover gates open 2:40 PM START – 56th Rolex 24 At Daytona
• BUY NOW 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Live Celtic Rock Band, Off Kilter, on the Main Stage inside UNOH Fanzone
• 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Wine & Cheese Party – Café 24 Activity Zone
• 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Taste of the 24 in Stadium Midway Suites
• 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Live band, The World Famous Trans Ams, on the Main Stage inside UNOH Fanzone
• 10:30 PM - 12:00 AM Karaoke on the Main Stage inside UNOH Fanzone
• 11:00 PM Rolex 24 fireworks show

Sunday, January 28th

• 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Café 24 Breakfast Garage inside the Café 24 Activity Zone
• 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Fanatics Infield Merchandise Superstore in UNOH Fanzone open
• 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Motorsports Hall of Fame open in Daytona Ticket and Tours building
• 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Photos with the 56th Rolex 24 At Daytona trophy inside Gatorade Victory Lane
• 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM UNOH Fanzone Kids Zone open
• 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Grassroots Motorsports Experience located at the Grassroots Motorsports tent along Lake Lloyd
• 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Fanatics merchandise store open in Stadium
• 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM Carnival Rides at the Boardwalk Experience
• 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Worship Services by Raceway Ministries in Driver’s Meeting Room by entrance of UNOH Fanzone
• 2:00 PM Rolex 24 Heritage Exhibition parade begins in UNOH Fanzone
• 2:40 PM FINISH – 56th Rolex 24 At Daytona

So much history! It’s amazing to watch the #Rolex24 Heritage Exhibition cars make their way around @DISupdates! pic.twitter.com/Icf4wgvSMW

— Rolex24Hours (@Rolex24Hours) January 27, 2018

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Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Wins GTLM Title at Rolex 24 At Daytona

It didn’t seem the 55th-annual Rolex 24 could get any more exciting for Ford Chip Ganassi Racing. All four Ford GTs were united, competing together on one track for the first time since the Le Mans 24 last year. The team qualified p1-2-3 in GTLM. Then came the final 30 minutes of the race.

After starting on pole, the No. 66 Ford GT led much of the early hours. Then came the overnight stints and some of the most challenging conditions, between wet and the cold temperatures, the drivers had ever been up against.

In spite of it all, the same trio who propelled Ford to a GTE Pro win at Le Mans in 2016 – p1 qualifier Joey Hand, Dirk Müller and Sébastien Bourdais - charged up to the front again and again.

“The win made me very uncomfortable to watch. And sweaty,” said Hand, who with Bourdais watched Müller take the checkered flag with the No. 66 just as they did at Le Mans. “I told my family at home before I left that I had a good feeling about this race. I really felt like we could win. We worked really well together. That’s what makes a difference. The three of us together, you may not think a German dude, a French guy who has a bunch of IndyCar championships and a guy from California would work together the best, but we do really work well together.”

While it looked as if more than one Ford GT would make the podium, various pit strategies and cautions landed the No. 69 (Andy Priaulx/Harry Tincknell/Tony Kanaan) p5 and the No. 68 (Olivier Pla/Stefan Mücke/Billy Johnson) p7. The No. 67 Ford GT finished laps down after an accident in the Bus Stop in the treacherous overnight hours.

“It’s an incredible event,” Tincknell said. “You race hard from the start but it’s all about the last hour and keeping the car in one piece for that final flat out run to the flag…Overall, though, what a mega experience. The Americans know how to entertain; bunching the cars up and going racing in this way is incredible. There was some great racing going on and I really want to come back next year.”

It was the seventh Rolex 24 win for Chip Ganassi Racing, the first in the GT ranks, and the 19th win for Ford at the event. Ford and Chip Ganassi Racing first teamed up to win in prototype in 2015.

“With any of these endurance races, there are many ways to win or to lose,” Bourdais said. “To be honest, we just didn’t put a foot or a wheel wrong.”

Both Hand and Bourdais thanked Müller for fighting off rival manufacturers for a riveting finish that landed them on the top step of the podium.

“Dirk just did it in the end,” Bourdais said. “It’s always that way in Daytona. It almost doesn’t matter what happens in the 23 ½ hours, everything matters from the last yellow flag.”v “I have to thank my teammates here,” Müller said. “To follow up to things Chip is always saying in our meetings, hand the car over as you would have it. We’re lucky I don’t have to hand the car over, because there’s a little scratch on the right-side mirror now from my move with the Ferrari (laugher), but what a race. Joey said it. I think to sit here is a big honor because we managed to win a very challenging race. I think the whole team a fantastic job.”

Ford’s history with the event in its current format stretches back to its very first green flag. In 1966, a Ford GT 40 won the first-ever 24-hour endurance race at Daytona.

“This is a great win for our GT program,” said Raj Nair, executive vice president of Global Product Development and chief technical officer, Ford Motor Company. “It's a credit to everyone involved, from our Ford team to Ganassi, Roush Yates, Multimatic and Michelin. Conditions were very difficult throughout much of the race, but that winning car had no issues at all against some of the best competition in the sport. There's a lot to be proud of with this win and we hope it's the start of a great season for our teams."

The race gives momentum to Ford Chip Ganassi Racing for the rest of the year in both IMSA and FIA WEC competition.

“It’s a proud day for everyone at Ford,” said Dave Pericak, global director, Ford Performance. “We came into this race with a lot to prove after last year and it was great to see all four of our GTs run so well. The competition was amazing, and the 66 car guys ran a perfect race. It's a great way to start 2017, and we couldn't be more proud of everyone who worked so hard to prepare for this race."

Source

Interview with @FordPerformance factory driver @BourdaisOnTrack#Endurance2017 pic.twitter.com/jxzniTsLyP

— 24 Hours of Le Mans (@24hoursoflemans) February 2, 2017

Post race winner burnout celebration with the best team @CGRTeams @FordPerformance #rolex24 #Daytona #ilikewinners #66fordgt #fordimsa pic.twitter.com/WDdUCeGssk

— Dirk Müller Racing (@muellerdirk) February 2, 2017

We did it!!! We won the #Rolex24 at Daytona! Thanks to our awesome @CGRsportscar boys and girls! #welikewinning #66FordGT #IHGracing pic.twitter.com/67b6KESrOF

— Joey Hand Racing (@JoeyHandRacing) January 29, 2017

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Jeff Gordon Gets A New Watch

Taylor Brothers, Angelelli, Gordon Finally Score Breakthrough Win After Trouble-Free Performances the Previous Four Years Come Up Short

This was Jeff Gordon’s second attempt at the Rolex 24. His first was in 2007 when he finished third. Gordon, along with three other drivers for Wayne Taylor Racing — Max Angelelli, Ricky Taylor and Jordan Taylor — took turns behind the wheel of the new Cadillac DPi-V.R. The race started at 2:30pm on Saturday, Jan. 28 and finish 24 hours later.

“This is very surreal to me, this whole experience and moment, to have this on my résumé,” Gordon said. “It’s a very elite group that’s won the Daytona 500 and the Rolex 24 together. That’s something I’m very, very proud of. But I think more than anything is this experience for me of – not to take anything away from 2007 with Max and Jan and Wayne –what amazing race car drivers both Ricky and Jordan are and how difficult this race is.”

Gordon had nothing but praise for his co-drivers.

“I was able to learn just how talented they are,” Gordon said. “I mean, I was so impressed while watching all night. I was glued to the TV every second, every lap. I couldn’t sleep because I wanted to watch these guys do what they did in the rain, in the cold, in the most treacherous conditions, and they did it at a level, that I’ll be honest, I’m not capable of doing, and I was so impressed. Then you go to the last stint of a 24 hour race and you see it come down to that, and it was a thrill of a lifetime, and I’m just so honored to be sitting here and be a part of this experience.”

With the victory, Gordon joins the ranks of A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, and Jamie McMurray as the only drivers to win both the Daytona 500 and Rolex 24.

Sweet story! Ella lost her tooth ( as you can see!) the morning of the race, Papa had it in his pocket when he was doing his stints 😊 pic.twitter.com/qFbo1vy8N4

— Ingrid Vandebosch (@ivandebosch) January 30, 2017

How about that!? A beauftul replacement for our temporary tattoos. #Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/JslA7EvEc4

— Jordan Taylor (@jordan10taylor) January 29, 2017

 

 

 

2017 IMSA Weathertech Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona Finish

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Ganassi Announces Rolex 24 Driver Lineup

Six-Time and Reigning Rolex 24 At Daytona Winners Ford Chip Ganassi Racing To Field Two EcoBoost Prototype Entries for 54th Annual Race

 

 

Young Talent Along with WEC, World Touring Car and Former Formula 1 Stars join Ganassi NASCAR and INDYCAR Stalwarts to Form Stellar Lineup in No. 01 and No. 02 Ford EcoBoost Prototypes

Seven-time IMSA Champions and six-time and defending Rolex 24 At Daytona Winners Ford Chip Ganassi Racing (FCGR) announced today that they will field two Prototype (P) class entries at the Rolex 24 At Daytona in 2016. The addition of the No. 01 and No. 02 Ford EcoBoost Prototypes brings the FCGR car count to a team-record four entries for the race after previously announcing a pair of Ford GTs last month. Partnership details and car liveries for the two Prototype entries will be announced at a later date.

Chip Ganassi Racing Teams’ (CGRT) four-time and reigning Verizon IndyCar Series Champion Scott Dixon joins teammates Tony Kanaan (2004 Champion and 2013 Indianapolis 500 Winner), Kyle Larson (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2014 Rookie of the Year) and Jamie McMurray (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2010 Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 Winner) in the No. 02 car to defend their 2015 win, while FCGR newcomer and FIA European Formula 3 Championship race winner Lance Stroll will join former Formula One driver Alex Wurz, reigning WEC (World Endurance Championship) LMP1 Champion Brendon Hartley and three-time FIA World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx in the No. 01 machine.

The 2016 FCGR Rolex 24 At Daytona driver roster is an impressive group of international racing Champions representing two Indianapolis 500 titles (Dixon-2008, Kanaan-2013), Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 wins (McMurray-2010), five Verizon IndyCar Series Championships (Dixon-2003, 2008, 2013, 2015 and Kanaan-2004), five Rookie of the Year Winners in their respective series (Kanaan-1999, Dixon-2001, McMurray-2003, Larson-2014, Stroll-2008), and two wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (Wurz-1996, 2009).

Chip Ganassi, Owner, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams: “We’re proud to have the defending Prototype Champions from last year, along with the excitement worldwide with the reintroduction of the Ford GT. I think we’ve built a very strong effort for the 2016 race in the Prototype class, which gives us two more solid chances to get to victory lane.”

NOTES OF INTEREST:

• Rolex 24 Run: FCGR has the greatest stretch in Rolex 24 At Daytona history highlighted by six wins and two second-place finishes from 2006-2015. The team also has seven Championships (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013) and 46 race wins to their credit since their introduction to sports car racing in 2004. Chip Ganassi is the only team owner in history to win three-straight Rolex 24 At Daytona events (2006-2008).
• Scott Dixon: Dixon has been a permanent fixture at Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) for 14 years and has been on the Rolex 24 At Daytona roster for FCGR since the team’s inception in 2004. The four-time Verizon IndyCar Series Champion (2003, 2008, 2013 and 2015) and 2008 Indianapolis 500 Winner was a part of the 2006 and 2015 Rolex 24 At Daytona-winning teams for FCGR. Dixon holds the distinction of being the winningest active Indy car driver with 38 victories, which ranks him fifth on the all-time win list.
• Tony Kanaan: The 2016 Rolex 24 At Daytona will mark Kanaan’s third race with FCGR after winning the 2015 Rolex 24 At Daytona in the No. 02 car, and also competing with the team in 2014. The 2013 Indianapolis 500 Winner, 2004 Verizon IndyCar Series Champion and 17-time racewinner joined CGRT in 2014. Kanaan is the all-time Indy car leader in consecutive starts with 249 consecutive starts dating back to the Portland race in 2001. In 2004, he became the first driver to complete every possible lap in a season en route to winning the championship.
• Kyle Larson: The 2014 NSCS Rookie of the Year will be racing for the third time in the Rolex 24 At Daytona after winning the event in 2015 alongside teammates Dixon, Kanaan, and McMurray. In his two-year career at CGRT, Larson has 75 NSCS starts in which he has earned one pole, 10 top-five and 27 top-10 finishes, while leading a total of 169 laps. Larson also has three career wins in the NASCAR XFINITY Series.
• Jamie McMurray: McMurray has competed in the Rolex 24 At Daytona seven times with FCGR (2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015) and had his best finish in 2015 with an overall win alongside teammates Dixon, Kanaan, and Larson. With his victory in the 2015 Rolex 24 At Daytona, McMurray joined the exclusive company of two other racing legends, Mario Andretti and AJ Foyt, as the only drivers to win both the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the Daytona 500. The 2003 NSCS Rookie of the Year has been a full-time fixture in NASCAR’s top division for 13 years with 474 career starts resulting in seven wins, 56 top-five finishes, and 131 top-10 finishes. McMurray is only one of three drivers to have won the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 in a single season (2010).
• Lance Stroll: The 17-year-old Canadian entered his first kart race at the age of eight and claimed his first championship two years later. Stroll won the 2014 Italian Formula 4 Championship in his first year of single-seater racing and then the 2015 Toyota Racing Series before contesting the FIA Formula 3 European Championship last year. He recorded 17 top-six finishes, including one win, in 33 starts and will continue in the Series this year. Stroll, who also competed in the 2014 Florida Winter Tour, was selected in to the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2010 and last November was chosen by the Williams Martini Racing Formula One Grand Prix team to join its Young Driver Development Program.
• Alex Wurz: Retired Austrian Formula One driver Wurz started his driving career at the age of 15 in karts and worked his way up the ladder before making his debut in Formula One in 1997 with Benetton-Renault. Prior to his 11-year Formula One career, Wurz won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1996 and again in 2009. Wurz has also recorded wins at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2010, Petit LeMans in 2011 and at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in 2011. Most recently Wurz drove in the FIA World Endurance Championship from 2012-2015 for Toyota Racing and has recorded five wins in 28 starts.
• Brendon Hartley: Hartley began his racing career in karts at the age of six and quickly moved up the New Zealand racing ladder before moving to Europe in 2006 to enter the Formula Renault 2.0 NEC and Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 series. Over the next two years, Hartley recorded 10 wins in various series throughout Europe before being asked to become a test driver for Formula One team Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2008. Hartley remained Scuderia Toro Rosso’s test driver as well as Formula One’s Red Bull Racing team’s reserve driver through 2010. He continued to compete in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series and the GP2 Series and was asked to be a test driver for Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team from 2012-2013. Hartley made his debut in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2013 in the P class recording one win before moving to the FIA World Endurance Championship for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The New Zealander won four races in 2015 with Porsche Racing and captured the 2015 LMP1 championship title.
• Andy Priaulx: Priaulx is a British professional driver who started his racing career in karting at the age of eight and most recently served as a BMW Factory driver. Throughout his extensive racing career, Priaulx has claimed a European Touring Car Championship, three FIA World Touring Car Championships, and is the only FIA Touring Car Champion to win an international level championship for four consecutive years (2004-2007). Most recently, the British driver recorded wins at the Race of Champions in 2015 and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2011. He has won over 50 races and drove as a factory driver, which included Formula 1 testing, DTM and Sports Car programs.

Chip Ganassi Racing Press Release

Rolex 24 Event Schedule

Thursday, January 24
7 AM	Garages open
9 AM	Sprint FANZONE opens
9 - 10 AM	Rolex Series combined practice
9 AM	Grandstand gates open
9:30 AM - 10:30AM	Grand-Am Ring Presentation
10:15 - 11:45 AM	Ferrari Challenge Practice
11:15 - 11:45 AM	Continental Tire Challenge practice
12:30 - 1 PM	Formula Vee Demonstration
1:15 - 1:45 PM	Rolex Series combined practice
2 - 2:15 PM	Continental Tire Challenge GS Qualifying
2:25 - 2:40 PM	Continental Tire Challenge ST Qualifying
2:55 - 3:25 PM	Ferrari Challenge 1 Qualifying
3:40 - 3:55 PM	Rolex Series Daytona Prototype Qualifying
4:10 - 4:25 PM	Rolex Series GT Quailfying
6 - 8 PM	Practice - Rolex Series combined practice
9:30 PM	Garages close
Friday, January 25
7 AM	Garages open
9 AM	Grandstand gates & Sprint FANZONE open
9 AM	Rolex 24 Heritage Exhibition Display in Goodyear Legends Area
9 AM - 9:30 AM	Continental Tire Challenge final practice
9 AM - 12 PM	Photos with the 51st Rolex 24 At Daytona trophy - Gatorade Victory Lane
9 AM - 2 PM	Sprint FANZONE Kids Zone open
9:45 - 10:15 AM	Ferrari Challenge 2 Qualifying
10:30 - 11:30 AM	Rolex Series final practice
11 AM - 4:30 PM	Boardwalk Experience open - carnival rides
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM	Ferrari Challenge Recon and Race #1
12:40 PM	Continental Tire Challenge Pre-Race/Fan Walk/Autograph Session
1:30 PM	START - Continental Tire Challenge GRAND-AM 200 (2.5 hours)
7:30 PM	Garages close
Saturday, January 26
7 AM	DAYTONA 5K Run & Fun Walk
7:30 AM	Garages open
8 AM	Sprint FANZONE opens
9 AM - 9 PM	Sprint FANZONE Kids Zone open
10 AM	Catholic Mass Celebration - Media Center Press Conference Room
10 AM	Rolex 24 Heritage Exhibition Display in Goodyear Legends Area
10 - 10:45 AM	Ferrari Challenge Recon and Race #2
10 AM - 12 AM	Boardwalk Experience open - carnival rides
10 AM	Grandstand gates open
11 AM - 9 PM	Bavarian Beer Garden - Cafe 24 Activity Zone
11 - 11:25 AM	Rolex 24 Heritage Exhibition lap
11:15 AM	Driver appearance: TELMEX Chip Ganassi/Felix Sabates Racing Team drivers Dario Franchitti, Memo Rojas & Scott Pruett in Champions Club hospitality area
11:25-11:40	Formula Vee Demonstration 50th Anniversary
11:35 AM	Rolex Series Drivers Meeting - Gatorade Victory Lane
11:45 AM	Champion's Club milestone laps
12 PM -  12 AM	Budweiser Party Porch open - tram service provided at Sprint FANZONE entrance
	*Four day admission/garage access ticket/credential required
12:15 - 1 PM	Rolex Series driver autograph session - Sprint FANZONE
1 - 6 PM	Chili Cook-Off - Cafe 24 Activity Zone
1:30 - 5 PM	Photos with the 51st Rolex 24 At Daytona trophy - Gatorade Victory Lane
2:05 PM	Rolex Series driver introductions - Pit Road
3 PM	Pre-race ceremonies - Pit Road
3:30 PM	START - 51st Rolex 24 At Daytona
6 - 8 PM	Wine & Cheese Party - Cafe 24 Activity Zone
6 - 10 PM	Taste of the 24 - Backstretch Suites
8 - 10 PM	Live Band: The World Famous Trans Ams on the Sprint FANZONE Main Stage
10:30 PM - 12 AM	Karaoke on the Sprint FANZONE Main Stage
Sunday, January 27
8 AM - 4 PM	Sprint FANZONE opens
8 - 11 AM	Cafe 24 Breakfast Garage - Cafe 24 Activity Zone
9 AM - 2 PM	Photos with the 51st Rolex 24 At Daytona trophy - Gatorade Victory Lane
9 AM - 3:30 PM	Sprint FANZONE Kids Zone open
10 AM - 4:30 PM	Boardwalk Experience open - carnival rides
12 PM	Worship Services by Central Florida Raceway Ministries in Driver’s Meeting Room
3:30 PM	FINISH - 51st Rolex 24 At Daytona
7 PM	Garages close
	Download PDF Schedule

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2013 Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona

2013 Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona
Grand-Am



The Rolex 24 At Daytona on January 26-27, 2013 will feature international stars of DAYTONA Prototype and GT-class racing twice-around-the-clock in the ultimate test of driver and machine.