-
Home
- TV Shows
- TV Schedule
- NASCAR
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
GRAND-AM
GRAND-AM: Detroit Preview
Rolex Sports Car Series heads for the streets of Belle Isle as GRAND-AM debuts in the Motor City...
GRAND-AM makes its debut in Detroit this weekend with a two-hour street fight in Belle Isle. (Photo: GM Press)
After a four-year hiatus, the streets of Belle Isle roar back to life for this weekend’s Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, which includes the debut of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series in the Motor City.
Twenty-seven entries across the Daytona Prototype and GT ranks are set to do battle in Saturday’s two-hour street fight, the first of four Rolex Series races over the next five weeks. The early summer stretch of races across the Midwest and Northeast will likely be pivotal in crowing champions in both categories.
Consistency in the opening four rounds of the season has paid off for Ryan Dalziel and Enzo Potolicchio, who retook the DP points lead following their runner-up finish at New Jersey Motorsports Park two weeks ago.
While having yet to visit victory lane with their new-gen Riley-Ford, the Starworks Motorsport duo hold a narrow four-point cushion over the SunTrust Racing Corvette DP of Max Angelelli and Ricky Taylor, fresh off back-to-back victories at Homestead-Miami and New Jersey.
With the Corvette DPs excelling in high-downforce circuits, the bow-tie brigade are considered favorites to conquer the tight and twisty confines of the 14-turn. 2.07-mile Belle Isle circuit.
In preparation for Detroit, Michael Shank Racing, along with defending Rolex Series GT champions Brumos Racing, tested at Sebring International Raceway earlier this year to help simulate the conditions they will likely face this weekend.
For 2012 Rolex 24 champs Ozz Negri and John Pew, who sit a close third in the title race, only five points back, the extra preparation could make all the difference as the drivers of the No. 60 Riley-Ford search for their third podium finish of the year and consolidate their place in the championship fight.
After a disappointing start to their season, which has produced only a single podium finish between both Corvette DPs, Action Express Racing has shuffled its driver lineup, with Darren Law moving to the No. 9 machine led by Joao Barbosa and Terry Borcheller sliding into the cockpit of the No. 5 car with David Donohue.
Law and Donohue now lead their car’s respective charge with 106 points apiece, and still very much in the title race.
Another team surprisingly yet to visit victory lane this year has been Chip Ganassi Racing, which lost the points lead in New Jersey after Scott Pruett's tangle with the GAINSCO Bob Stallings Racing Corvette DP of Alex Gurney, which ended in retirement for both cars. Pruett and co-driver Memo Rojas will be drivers to also watch in Detroit.
In addition to the Starworks’ No. 2 entry of Lucas Luhr and Alex Popow, the Peter Baron-led team debuts its third Riley-Ford this weekend for Colin Braun and Scott Mayer, bringing the DP grid up to 10 entries.
The story in GT has been Ferrari for the past two races, with AIM Autosport Team FXDD’s Jeff Segal and Emil Assentato steering their Prancing Horse to two straight victories and an early championship lead.
The 2010 Rolex Series GT co-champions currently enjoy an eight-point margin over Magnus Racing’s John Potter and Andy Lally, who recently celebrated his 100th career GRAND-AM podium. Robin Liddell in the No. 57 Stevenson Motorsports Camaro GT.R sits three points further back in third.
Liddell, who will share his Camaro with regular co-driver John Edwards, who missed two early season races due to a torn ACL, are coming off a runner-up finish in New Jersey and are among the favorites for what would be a popular “home” victory for the Detroit muscle car.
Other contenders flying the banner for Chevy this weekend include Autohaus Motorsports’ Jordan Taylor and Paul Edwards as well as Boris Said and Eric Curran in Marsh Racing’s Corvette.
The compact two-day weekend kicks off on Friday with practice in the morning followed by qualifying later in the afternoon. The Chevrolet GRAND-AM Detroit 200 takes the green flag Saturday at 5 p.m. ET (Live, SPEED).
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
Twenty-seven entries across the Daytona Prototype and GT ranks are set to do battle in Saturday’s two-hour street fight, the first of four Rolex Series races over the next five weeks. The early summer stretch of races across the Midwest and Northeast will likely be pivotal in crowing champions in both categories.
Consistency in the opening four rounds of the season has paid off for Ryan Dalziel and Enzo Potolicchio, who retook the DP points lead following their runner-up finish at New Jersey Motorsports Park two weeks ago.
While having yet to visit victory lane with their new-gen Riley-Ford, the Starworks Motorsport duo hold a narrow four-point cushion over the SunTrust Racing Corvette DP of Max Angelelli and Ricky Taylor, fresh off back-to-back victories at Homestead-Miami and New Jersey.
With the Corvette DPs excelling in high-downforce circuits, the bow-tie brigade are considered favorites to conquer the tight and twisty confines of the 14-turn. 2.07-mile Belle Isle circuit.
In preparation for Detroit, Michael Shank Racing, along with defending Rolex Series GT champions Brumos Racing, tested at Sebring International Raceway earlier this year to help simulate the conditions they will likely face this weekend.
For 2012 Rolex 24 champs Ozz Negri and John Pew, who sit a close third in the title race, only five points back, the extra preparation could make all the difference as the drivers of the No. 60 Riley-Ford search for their third podium finish of the year and consolidate their place in the championship fight.
After a disappointing start to their season, which has produced only a single podium finish between both Corvette DPs, Action Express Racing has shuffled its driver lineup, with Darren Law moving to the No. 9 machine led by Joao Barbosa and Terry Borcheller sliding into the cockpit of the No. 5 car with David Donohue.
Law and Donohue now lead their car’s respective charge with 106 points apiece, and still very much in the title race.
Another team surprisingly yet to visit victory lane this year has been Chip Ganassi Racing, which lost the points lead in New Jersey after Scott Pruett's tangle with the GAINSCO Bob Stallings Racing Corvette DP of Alex Gurney, which ended in retirement for both cars. Pruett and co-driver Memo Rojas will be drivers to also watch in Detroit.
In addition to the Starworks’ No. 2 entry of Lucas Luhr and Alex Popow, the Peter Baron-led team debuts its third Riley-Ford this weekend for Colin Braun and Scott Mayer, bringing the DP grid up to 10 entries.
The story in GT has been Ferrari for the past two races, with AIM Autosport Team FXDD’s Jeff Segal and Emil Assentato steering their Prancing Horse to two straight victories and an early championship lead.
The 2010 Rolex Series GT co-champions currently enjoy an eight-point margin over Magnus Racing’s John Potter and Andy Lally, who recently celebrated his 100th career GRAND-AM podium. Robin Liddell in the No. 57 Stevenson Motorsports Camaro GT.R sits three points further back in third.
Liddell, who will share his Camaro with regular co-driver John Edwards, who missed two early season races due to a torn ACL, are coming off a runner-up finish in New Jersey and are among the favorites for what would be a popular “home” victory for the Detroit muscle car.
Other contenders flying the banner for Chevy this weekend include Autohaus Motorsports’ Jordan Taylor and Paul Edwards as well as Boris Said and Eric Curran in Marsh Racing’s Corvette.
The compact two-day weekend kicks off on Friday with practice in the morning followed by qualifying later in the afternoon. The Chevrolet GRAND-AM Detroit 200 takes the green flag Saturday at 5 p.m. ET (Live, SPEED).
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
Road Atlanta
LATEST HEADLINES: AUTO-RACING
-
ELMS: TDS Oreca-Nissan Wins Imola
Mathias Beche, Pierre Thiriet claim victory in second round of European… -
V8: Coulthard, Whincup On Top In Qualifying At COTA
Brad Jones Racing and Red Bull Racing Australia end up on top for… -
PHOTOS: V8 Supercars COTA Gallery
UPDATED: View more than 90 photos from Austin as V8 Supercar drivers… -
V8: COTA Friday Notebook
John Dagys explores some of the storylines from the first… -
V8: Lowndes Quickest On Friday At COTA
Red Bull Racing driver tops time charts in opening day of practice… -
INDYCAR: Viso Hits 229.537 On Wet Friday At Indy
Fast Friday's activities turned into Wet Friday just past 3 p.m.… -
MILLER: Indy Needs To Become The Week Of May
Despite decent to great weather, the Speedway has been empty the… - More News
