With football playoffs coming to an end, it means racing season is about to begin. It all kicks off with next weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona. Just like in years past, this race is about endurance, excitement and who will survive 24 hours of racing. As of now, there are 53 entries in this big race, a little decline from 2014, but the competition will even be higher. Here's my preview.
In the Prototype category, Action Express Racing dominated the 2014 event, and are back with the same winning lineup in Joao Barbosa, Christian Fittipaldi and IndyCar driver Sebastien Bourdais in the 5 car. However, AER faces competition with the favorites in the Chip Ganassi Racing camp, fielding 2 entries. The 01 car features 5-time Rolex 24 winner Scott Pruett, joined by new teammate Joey Hand, as well as IndyCar driver Charlie Kimball and Sage Karam. The 02 car, also Ganassi Racing, features IndyCar champion drivers Scott Dixon & Tony Kanaan and NASCAR drivers Jamie McMurray and 2014 rookie of the year Kyle Larson. Michael Shank Racing will also contend in the 60 car with John Pew, Oswaldo Negri, NASCAR driver A.J. Allmendinger and Matt McMurry, while Wayne Taylor Racing is also considered a favorite with Max Angelelli, Ricky Taylor & Jordan Taylor. Another car that can win is the 90 car, sponsored by VisitFlorida.com, driven by Mike Rockenfeller, Michael Valiante & Richard Westbrook.
The Rolex 24 is known for drivers crossing over from other series. IndyCar champion Ryan Hunter-Reay & former IndyCar and F1 driver Rubens Barrichello will be driving for Starworks Motorsports. Also James Hinchcliffe, another IndyCar driver, will be driving for SpeedSource in the 70 car.
The Prototype Challenge (PC) class features a diversity of teams including CORE Autosport and Starworks. I'm definitely looking out for the 54 car, driven by Colin Braun, James Gue, Jon Bennett & Mark Wilkins to win the class.
The GT-Le Mans Category will feature duels between the 2 Corvette Racing teams (3 car driven by Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia & Ryan Briscoe. 4 car driven by Tommy Milner, Oliver Gavin & Simon Pagenaud) as well as BMW (featuring Graham Rahal & Bill Auberlen) and Porsche (featuring Jorg Bergmeister & Patrick Pilet) and those teams will fight it out all race. Going with the 3 car to win. The GT-Daytona Category features the largest entries in the field, but always provides excitement and battles all races. Turner Motorsport, Flying Lizard, Magnus Racing and AF Corsa are just some of the teams that will be contending for the win.
It's been a long wait, but its been worth it.
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