Rolex 24 Grows in Stature
It wasn't too long ago that the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona was merely a really, really long race for sportscar type dudes. Then
Dale Earnhardt Senior and Junior joined Corvette Racing, and that started the current trend of big name drivers from all series taking part. The list of top-tier drivers is long, including Nextel Cup drivers, Champcar drivers, and ALMS drivers taking part, and last week it was announced that Canadian Paul Tracy has joined Michael Shank Racing for an attempt at winning a free Rolex. The 30-time Champcar race winner announced Thursday that he will compete at the Rolex 24, which goes on January 26 through 29.
Tracy
will join Paul Mears Jr., former Indy Lights competitor Mike Borkowski and former Champ Car Atlantic driver Kenny Wilden on the four-man team, piloting the #6 Graydon Elliott Fusion Racing Lexus-Riley Daytona Prototype in the twice-around-the-clock endurance race. It is the second straight season that Tracy has competed in the prestigious event. He ran with Bell Motorsports last season and helped put his car in the lead early, but mechanical problems doomed his effort to an early retirement.
"Running at Daytona really helped my preparation for the Champ Car season last year, and I wanted to come back and do it again," Tracy said. "Running with Mike Shank is a great opportunity for me, his team knows how to win in the Prototypes, his driver lineup is solid and he has a reputation of putting strong cars on the track. It should be a great opportunity."
It wasn't too long ago that the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona was merely a really, really long race for sportscar type dudes. Then
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| Canadian Paul Tracy has joined Michael Shank Racing for an attempt at winning a free Rolex. (Photo: Graydon Elliott Fusion Racing) |
Tracy
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| Tracy will join Paul Mears Jr., former Indy Lights competitor Mike Borkowski and former Champ Car Atlantic driver Kenny Wilden on the four-man team, piloting the #6 Graydon Elliott Fusion Racing Lexus-Riley Daytona Prototype. (Photo: Graydon Elliott Fusion Racing) |
"Running at Daytona really helped my preparation for the Champ Car season last year, and I wanted to come back and do it again," Tracy said. "Running with Mike Shank is a great opportunity for me, his team knows how to win in the Prototypes, his driver lineup is solid and he has a reputation of putting strong cars on the track. It should be a great opportunity."