Beginning today in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series VIR 400k at the VIRginia International Raceway, Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty will mark a milestone in their partnership behind the wheel of the No. 99 GAINSCO Auto Insurance Pontiac-powered Riley. One year ago here, Fogarty reunited with his former Toyota Atlantic teammate and began forging a driving team that is today second-to-none in the Daytona Prototype class.
On Sunday afternoon, the duo will face Round Four of the 2007 Rolex Series championship chase — 77 grueling laps of the historic 3.27-mile circuit, set in the forested hills of southern Virginia. It’s a test that both drivers, along with team owner Bob Stallings, call one of the most challenging — and yet most rewarding — of the year.
“The VIR track is one of the best on the schedule, ” Gurney said. “It’s very fast and very fun for the driver, with the wild Esses and big elevation changes. I wish there were more tracks like it on our calendar. ”
Fogarty could add nothing but more praise for the circuit, citing its combination of technical sections and rhythm corners as particularly notable. Last year was not only his first-ever drive in the GAINSCO machine, it was his first-ever visit to VIR, and with a year of experience under his belt, he’s eagerly awaiting the challenge.
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