The Daytona 500 and the start of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season is less than three weeks away but a number of drivers and owners will make an early visit to Daytona International Speedway for Saturday’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Since 1962, NASCAR stars have been a part of the historic, twice-around-the-clock sports car race. A NASCAR Sprint Cup competitor has shared the winning Grand-Am Daytona Prototype in each of the past three seasons: Casey Mears in 2006 and Juan Pablo Montoya in 2007-08.
Both return for this year’s race along with 2006-08 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson, AJ Allmendinger, Colin Braun and Kyle Petty.
A number of NASCAR national series owners also stand out among an expected entry of more than 50 Daytona Prototype and GT cars. Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates seeks a record fourth consecutive Rolex 24 at Daytona victory.
Richard Childress, Roger Penske and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series owner Kevin Buckler also have submitted entries.
Practice and qualifying for the Rolex 24 at Daytona begin Thursday. The race is set for 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday and ends at the same time on Sunday.
Montoya again will share the No. 01 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Lexus Riley with Scott Pruett and Mexico’s Memo Rojas. The team recorded the seventh-fastest speed in the recent “Roar Before the 24” test.
Pruett and Rojas are the 2008 Daytona Prototype champions as well as defending Rolex 24 at Daytona winners.
“I’m excited because the car is pretty quick,” said Montoya.
Johnson is part of a four-driver GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing team. His partners include Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty and open-wheel champion Jimmy Vasser. The GAINSCO Auto Insurance Pontiac Riley was runner-up in last year’s 24-hour race as well as the No. 2 finisher in the series championship.
“I’m here to win; that’s what we’re all here for,” said Johnson. “I’ve been on the second step twice now. It’s such an accomplishment just to finish this race so to be there in Gatorade Victory Lane and be part of the ceremonies is great.
“But second in anything is first loser. It’s fun but it’s not the most fun.”
Johnson, whose team was 10th overall in the recent Daytona test, is happy to be back on track following his record-matching third consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.
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