When there’s no testing and you’re not a driver with a television obligations, what do you do in the quiet time before the new year? How about racing go-karts?
NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Jamie McMurray, who is headed back to drive for Chip Ganassi (at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing), and Richard Petty Motorsports’ AJ Allmendinger have returned to Daytona to race against hundreds of karters at the famous Speedway for three days of intense, low-to-the ground action. Most of the time go karts race on short courses, but not this week. Among the three-tracks laid out at Daytona is the 3.56 mile road racing course where the Rolex 24 Hours will take place at the end of January. The other two tracks are the half-mile Sprint track in turns three and four and a dirt track outside turns one and two. “This is not kick back and relax, this is very serious and it’s very high stress,” McMurray said with a grin. “We’re trying to run two classes this year, it’s just hectic today trying to get both karts on the track and get everything ready but I’ve got some good helpers.” “I’m very excited about being back with Chip and (crew chief) Kevin Manion is a great guy and I’ve got to know him,” McMurray said. “I’m looking forward to working with him and everyone on the No. 1 team. “We went testing at New Smyrna (Speedway) a few weeks ago and everything went well and we’re going to Walt Disney World in a couple of weeks and try to get our act together and have a good year.” This is Allmendinger’s first time at this competition and he’s keeping in shape for his fifth time at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. “I’m bored in the offseason. If we could race every weekend, I’d be happy,” Allmendinger said. “By the time Christmas rolls around, all you want to do is get back to a race track and race something.” “I laugh because I almost get more angry in this than a Cup car,” Allmendinger said. “Because in a Cup car, you have what you have, it’s a 36-week grind and you’ve got to pace yourself.”
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