DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 4, 2020) – Corvette Racing’s Oliver Gavin claimed pole position in GT Le Mans (GTLM) for tonight’s IMSA WeatherTech 240 sports car race at Daytona International Speedway.
Gavin scored the first pole position for the new mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette C8.R in just its second race – a lap of 1:42.251 (125.338 mph) in the No. 4 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Corvette that he drives with Tommy Milner.
Teammate Jordan Taylor qualified second in the No. 3 Corvette C8.R that he shares with Antonio Garcia as the two C8.Rs locked out the front row in class. Taylor’s best lap was a 1:42.532 (125.006 mph) effort.
This was the team’s first pole position since Road America last year when Gavin started first in class. Garcia also claimed class honors at Watkins Glen a year ago.
The IMSA WeatherTech 240 at Daytona is set for 6 p.m. ET today with live race television coverage on NBC Sports Network, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports App. IMSA Radio will air on IMSA.com, which also will host live timing and scoring.
OLIVER GAVIN, NO. 4 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – GTLM POLE-WINNER:
“It’s fantastic to be back here racing. You have to thank everyone at IMSA and Daytona International Raceway for getting us back racing, especially on the Fourth of July. It’s very special. Corvette Racing have really embraced the time off and worked tirelessly on the new C8.R – working on development, making it more driver-friendly and finding a little bit more pace. We see the results of that in this qualifying session. Jordan and I were out there first, and we had our goal and plan: get pole and finish 1-2 if possible. The plan is coming together and it’s great that it has worked out that way. I’m delighted for all the guys and everyone on the team who has worked so hard during this break.”
THERE IS A HALF-SECOND FROM FRONT TO BACK IN GTLM. HOW TOUGH WILL THIS RACE BE? “This race is going to be tough. It’s really hot, and we know there will be some bad weather around. That will be difficult to predict. Florida can randomly throw up storms; we saw it yesterday, and we’re sure something is coming at some point tonight. That will spice it up. Corvette Racing is one of the most prepared teams on the pitlane, so we know what we have to do. We know we can react in any way we need to go. We have experienced drivers who know this track, the car and the conditions. We’re prepared.”
TALK ABOUT THE HEAT IN THIS RACE WITH THE ENGINE RIGHT BEHIND THE DRIVER COMPARTMENT, AND HOW THIS WILL BE DIFFERENT THAN THE ROLEX 24. “Corvette Racing has worked very hard on our A/C unit and making sure we are comfortable and able to operate over long periods. This weekend will be a great test for that. We’re certainly confident in it. It is a challenge here… it’s close to the 90s and the humidity is high. Track temperature is another thing that is very different than the Rolex 24, so we’re on a different tire compound because of that heat. That is something that we will be mindful of. Yes it will start to fall a little as we get into the later hours, so probably right not it is at the most aggressive level of the day. We’ll be careful, use the tires properly and be ready for whatever comes along.”
THE ROLEX 24 IS AN EVENT, BUT TODAY PEOPLE ARE JUST COMING TO WATCH YOU RACE. HOW DOES THAT FEEL? “It should be a great show. be back racing at Daytona and having the IMSA series here in quite tricky conditions, it will generate a fantastic race. We’re all ready for that and we’re hoping we can put on a great show with a win and get back with all of you a little later!”
JORDAN TAYLOR, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – QUALIFIED SECOND IN GTLM:
“I think it was a pretty good session. It was my first time qualifying in a GT car since 2012, so I was a little nervous going in. From a team point of view, to come back for our second race in the Corvette C8.R and lock out the front row speaks volumes for the team and the work it has done to get the car to this point so quickly. The race is still a little iffy on weather, but we’re obviously starting in a great spot. I’m hoping we can be there at the end.”
Source:
Corvette Racing
Related:
[VIDEO] Corvette Racing at Daytona: C8.R Drivers Discuss the Return to Racing
Corvette Racing at Daytona: Prepare for the Restart
Corvette Racing at Daytona: Pre-Race Press Conference
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Fantastic job, team, especially for just the SECOND race!! 🙂
Corvette Made In The U.S.A. Go Fast
C8R wins!
Why did the #4 slow down to save fuel, to finish 5th instead of 6th???? Great job #3 who went for the win and got it!!!!!
From a C8 owner: Congratulations to the Team!! The immense hard work is paying off. Congrats to all of the Corvette team as well. As a new member of Corvette ownership I am proud of this team and the result. As they learn from racing and make the car and team ever better, continued success should be close at hand. Can’t wait also for racing information to wind up in the production cars. AF
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