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GRAND-AM: Rolex 24 DP Preview
SPEED.com takes a look at the 14-car DP starting field for this weekend’s 50th Rolex 24 at Daytona...
John Dagys  |  Posted January 25, 2012   Daytona Beach, FL
Fourteen Daytona Prototypes are entered for this weekend's 50th Rolex 24 at Daytona. (Photo: John Dagys)



The Rolex 24 at Daytona has always served as the traditional kick-off to the motorsports season, with some of the sport’s biggest stars from NASCAR, IndyCar and other disciplines joining GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series regulars for the annual around-the-clock endurance classic.

But with new cars, revised regulations and the race celebrating its 50th anniversary, this year’s Rolex 24 could very well be one for the ages.

READ: Rolex 24 GT Preview
Even with the unknowns of a new car, Chip Ganassi Racing's pair of Riley-BMWs will also be strong. (Photo: John Dagys)

At the center of it all is the Daytona Prototype category, which should see 14 entries take the green flag Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, Live! SPEED). While small in numbers, GRAND-AM’s premier category does not lack in quality, as witnessed by the caliber of drivers and teams that will take part.

SPEED.com breaks down this year’s field and the likely drivers and teams that will be chasing overall glory in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series season-opener.

THE CONTENDERS:

Chip Ganassi Racing: The four-time and defending winners have traditionally served as the benchmark for fellow Rolex Series competitors, and 2012 may play out to be the same. However, with new-gen Riley-BMWs, Ganassi’s drive for its fifth Rolex 24 crown could be one of its most challenging yet.

The 2011 winning lineup of Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas, Graham Rahal and BMW factory driver Joey Hand return in the team’s new No. 01 machine, with its usual mix of IndyCar and NASCAR drivers, Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon, Juan Pablo Montoya and Jamie McMurray, taking up the No. 02 car. Despite the relative unknowns of their new cars, Ganassi still head in as the favorites.

SunTrust Racing: One of four teams with the new Corvette DP, SunTrust Racing might just be the best-prepared squad to lead the bow-tie to victory lane. With the driving combination of Max Angelelli, Ricky Taylor and IndyCar ace Ryan Briscoe, it’s a lineup that doesn’t show any weaknesses, and one of only a few teams to opt for a three-driver roster.

Having initially rolled out with some aero issues at the December Daytona test, the Dallara-chassised machine was the quickest at the Roar Before the 24, which bodes well heading into the race. Unlike a team like Action Express, which is adapting to a new chassis, engine and bodywork, SunTrust could have the clear advantage thanks to its past experience with Dallara and Chevy.

Spirit of Daytona Racing: With a star-studded lineup, 2012 will be Spirit of Daytona’s best chance for overall glory. Corvette drivers Antonio Garcia, Richard Westbrook, Oliver Gavin and Jan Magnussen bring years of GT and DP experience with them, and the team’s Coyote-chassied machine was the first of the new Corvette DPs to have hit the track last November.

That extra track time, and the experience the Troy Flis-led squad already has with the Coyote-Chevrolet package, could pay dividends in the race.

GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing's entry is the only Riley-chassied Corvette DP in the field. (Photo: John Dagys)
Action Express Racing: Returning to Daytona with an all-new package (chassis, engine, bodywork), Action Express will be looking for its second Rolex 24 crown after its debut victory here in 2010. The Corvette DP proved to be the quickest car at the Roar, sweeping the top-five positions. But can the same advantage be translated into the race?

Season-long drivers David Donohue and Darren Law are joined by Christian Fittipaldi in the No. 5 car, while the other Coyote-chassied machine of Joao Barbosa, Terry Borcheller and J.C. France will see Max Papis bolster the driving force. Both cars will likely be equally as strong.

GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing: The fourth and final Corvette DP team will also be a strong contender with its Riley-chassied entry. Like SunTrust, the two-time Rolex Series champions have gone with a three-driver approach, with team veterans Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty being joined by fellow Californian Memo Gidley. Gidley takes the seat normally occupied by NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson, who has opted to sit out this year’s running.

While having been the final team to debut its Corvette DP late last year, the Texas-based squad cannot be counted out of a win either, especially as GAINSCO has shown the pace necessary so many times before at Daytona.

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