GRAND-AM: Corvette DP Earns First Podium Finish at Daytona 24

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GRAND-AM: Corvette DP Earns First Podium Finish at Daytona 24

Corvette is off to a good start in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series.

Max Angelelli, Jordan Taylor, and Ryan Hunter-Reay – competing for Wayne Taylor Racing – came through with the first-ever Daytona 24 podium position for the Corvette Daytona Prototype as their No. 10 Velocity Worldwide Corvette DP finished second on Sunday during the 51st running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“Just representing Team Chevy it’s such a big deal for me,” said Wayne Taylor, team owner. “I wanted to win so bad for Team Chevy just so much for Velocity Worldwide and everybody. I’m really happy. I’m relieved I guess you know. I was not prepared to not be the face of Team Chevy with my team. I know there are a lot of teams, but I wanted to be the one.”

The runner-up finish was redemption after an engine failure 22 minutes in last year’s event ended the team’s day.

Corvette DP wound up with three of the top five finishers. The No. 9 Action Express Racing Corvette DP driven by Joao Barbosa, Burt Frisselle and Mike Rockenfeller captured fourth, one spot ahead of the No. 90 Spirit of Daytona Corvette DP with drivers Richard Westbrook, Ricky Taylor, Oliver Gavin and Antonio Garcia.

Jim Campbell, U.S. Vice President Performance Vehicles and Motorsports, congratulated Wayne Taylor Racing for the historic podium finish. “I am very proud of the tremendous effort put forth by all of our Chevrolet teams and applaud the ‘never give up’ attitude of our Corvette Daytona Prototype and Camaro drivers and crews as they battled for their finishing positions this weekend,” Campbell said. “We are looking forward to an exciting 2013 GRAND-AM season.”

Likewise, Mark Kent, Director of Chevrolet Racing, praised the Chevrolet DP and GT teams for their efforts.

“All of our Chevrolet Daytona Prototype and GT teams fought a great battle during this grueling race,” he said. “There is no other race in North America as demanding as the 24 Hours of Daytona and just finishing is an accomplishment. It was great to see the #10 Corvette Daytona Prototype finish in second place and on the lead lap in a race that tests the limits of endurance for man and machine. We now turn our focus to the balance of the 2012 Grand Am season as we work to defend Chevrolet’s Daytona Prototype Engine Manufacturers Championship.”

Chip Ganassi Racing made up for last year when both its cars failed to make the podium. This time, lead driver Scott Pruett picked up his fifth victory, tying Hurley Haywood’s record for wins in the 24-hour race at Daytona International Speedway.

In all, Ganassi’s two cars combined to lead an overwhelming majority of the 709 laps. The No. 01 team led 421 laps in a race that had 24 drivers combine for a record 77 lead changes.

GRAND-AM: Corvette DP Earns First Podium Finish at Daytona 24


Source:
Motorsport.com
Photo Credit: Grand-AM.com

Related:
GRAND-AM and ALMS Announce Classes for Unified Series in 2014
Chevrolet Wins 2012 Rolex Series Engine Manufacturers Championship
Bondurant Performance Driving School Produces Five Detroit Race Winners

 



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