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GRAND-AM
GRAND-AM: Allmendinger, Wilson Rejoin MSR For Rolex 24
AJ Allmendinger and Justin Wilson join team regulars Ozz Negri and John Pew in No. 60 Riley-Ford...
Michael Shank Racing revealed its lineup for the No. 60 Riley-Ford. (Photo: John Dagys)
Michael Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian will look to make a strong start to the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series season, and has once again signed a strong driver line-up to contest the 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 At Daytona.
The team announced on Friday at Daytona International Speedway that full time pilots Ozz Negri and two-time Pro-Am Champion John Pew will be joined by AJ Allmendinger and Justin Wilson in the No. 60 MSR Daytona Ford-Riley entry in the season-opening race.
The race marks the ninth consecutive Rolex 24 At Daytona campaign for MSR Daytona, which will look to go one better than the team’s previous-best result of second place, earned in 2006 with Negri, Wilson, and Allmendinger co-driving with Mark Patterson.
“I couldn’t be happier to get Justin and AJ back for the 24 this year,” said team owner Mike Shank. “We know that it takes speed, smarts, and experience to get to the podium here and having guys like Justin and AJ on board for the 24 is a big advantage.
"They are team players, and everyone is really focused on a big result. We have some learning to do with the new DP still, but I’m encouraged by how it’s gone in testing and hopefully we can have a productive three days here and come back for the race, ready to go.”
AJ Allmendinger: “It’s good to be back with Shank and with Ozz and Justin - we had our best finish (second) here driving together in 2006 and I’ve also had some good runs with John so I feel good about the race team. As Mike (Shank) said, it’s a top notch racecar. In the short time I got to drive the car, I feel really good about the racecar. It’s been a fun and crazy off season - things I planned for and things I didn’t plan for that happened to me that were really good.
"I’m really excited about this year as a whole. I feel we’ve had a great chance to win every year but I just feel in the short amount of time we’ve had with the new Riley the car’s been really good and I think if we just keep developing it over the three day test and get it ready for the Rolex 24, I think we’re going to have a really good shot this time.”
John Pew: (of new car) “It’s a great looking car. It’s going to be good for the crowds and spectators and it’s fun to drive. I think it’s going to be good. It’s a good move for GRAND-AM to do this and I’m excited to drive it. I’m looking forward to a really big field for the 50th. I think it’s going to be a great race for a lot of spectators. I understand it’s outsold previous races so I’m looking forward to it.”
Ozz Negri: “The MSR guys worked really hard to get the car ready for the three day test. I unfortunately wasn’t here the first time they ran but the team has been working hard. I was on vacation in Brazil and I was getting emails from Mike (Shank) pretty late at night so that just pumps you up knowing that everybody is working so hard for this. We’ve been trying to get Justin (Wilson) AJ (Allmendinger) and John (Pew) and I back together for a few years so we finally got this package together and I really expect to be the team to beat.”
Justin Wilson: “It’s great to be back. Mike (Shank) always does such a great job with his team and it’s a privilege to be a part of it. It’s great to team up with John, Ozz, and AJ. It’s a good group and I really think we have a good chance to win. I think we just need to keep working hard, keep our heads down and see what happens. I did a couple of laps this morning in the car which was my first time in the new Riley and it felt great so I’m cautiously optimistic about what we can do and hopefully it’s going to play out well for us.”
The team announced on Friday at Daytona International Speedway that full time pilots Ozz Negri and two-time Pro-Am Champion John Pew will be joined by AJ Allmendinger and Justin Wilson in the No. 60 MSR Daytona Ford-Riley entry in the season-opening race.
The race marks the ninth consecutive Rolex 24 At Daytona campaign for MSR Daytona, which will look to go one better than the team’s previous-best result of second place, earned in 2006 with Negri, Wilson, and Allmendinger co-driving with Mark Patterson.
“I couldn’t be happier to get Justin and AJ back for the 24 this year,” said team owner Mike Shank. “We know that it takes speed, smarts, and experience to get to the podium here and having guys like Justin and AJ on board for the 24 is a big advantage.
"They are team players, and everyone is really focused on a big result. We have some learning to do with the new DP still, but I’m encouraged by how it’s gone in testing and hopefully we can have a productive three days here and come back for the race, ready to go.”
AJ Allmendinger: “It’s good to be back with Shank and with Ozz and Justin - we had our best finish (second) here driving together in 2006 and I’ve also had some good runs with John so I feel good about the race team. As Mike (Shank) said, it’s a top notch racecar. In the short time I got to drive the car, I feel really good about the racecar. It’s been a fun and crazy off season - things I planned for and things I didn’t plan for that happened to me that were really good.
"I’m really excited about this year as a whole. I feel we’ve had a great chance to win every year but I just feel in the short amount of time we’ve had with the new Riley the car’s been really good and I think if we just keep developing it over the three day test and get it ready for the Rolex 24, I think we’re going to have a really good shot this time.”
John Pew: (of new car) “It’s a great looking car. It’s going to be good for the crowds and spectators and it’s fun to drive. I think it’s going to be good. It’s a good move for GRAND-AM to do this and I’m excited to drive it. I’m looking forward to a really big field for the 50th. I think it’s going to be a great race for a lot of spectators. I understand it’s outsold previous races so I’m looking forward to it.”
Ozz Negri: “The MSR guys worked really hard to get the car ready for the three day test. I unfortunately wasn’t here the first time they ran but the team has been working hard. I was on vacation in Brazil and I was getting emails from Mike (Shank) pretty late at night so that just pumps you up knowing that everybody is working so hard for this. We’ve been trying to get Justin (Wilson) AJ (Allmendinger) and John (Pew) and I back together for a few years so we finally got this package together and I really expect to be the team to beat.”
Justin Wilson: “It’s great to be back. Mike (Shank) always does such a great job with his team and it’s a privilege to be a part of it. It’s great to team up with John, Ozz, and AJ. It’s a good group and I really think we have a good chance to win. I think we just need to keep working hard, keep our heads down and see what happens. I did a couple of laps this morning in the car which was my first time in the new Riley and it felt great so I’m cautiously optimistic about what we can do and hopefully it’s going to play out well for us.”
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