Daytona 24: Lexus hour 18 notes

LEXUS REMAINS OUT FRONT AT 18-HOUR MARK OF ROLEX 24

Through a steady rain, Salvador Duran continues to keep the #01 Telmex/Target Lexus out in front of the field at the 18-hour mark of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The #02 Ganassi team car currently is in third-place with Dan Wheldon at the wheel, one lap down. The first-year AIM Autosport #61 remains in seventh.

Scott Pruett, #01 Telmex/Target Lexus-Riley (after pitting out of the lead at 6:50 a.m.): "Everything's good. The engine is running great, the car is running well. We're just doing what we need to do. There hasn't been any drama, other than a little bit while exiting on that last pit stop when the ignition got inadvertently shut off, but that was just one of those things."

Mark Wilkins, #61 Exchange Traded Gold Lexus-Riley (after exiting in 7th-place): "The Lexus is a great engine -- lots of power, so far it's been reliable, no issues whatsoever, driveability is fantastic. We're just hoping we can bring a good result for them."

-credit: lexus