Michael Shank Racing Targets Success at Daytona
DAYTONA BEACH, FL (25 January 2011)- Michael Shank Racing will look to return to the podium at Daytona International Speedway with a strong finish this weekend as the 2011 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal season kicks off with the 49th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona (Saturday, SPEED, 3:00 PM ET).
With seven previous campaigns in the race to its credit, the 2011 Rolex 24 effort will mark the largest to date for Michael Shank Racing. The team is well-poised for success this weekend with a three-car Daytona Prototype entry, with each car boasting impressive driver line ups that bring winning experience and speed to the effort.
The No. 60 Crown Royal XR Ford-Riley will be shared by John Pew, Ozz Negri, Michael Valiante, and Marc Goossens, with the No. 6 Continental Tires Flip For Four Ford-Dallara co-driven by AJ Allmendinger, Justin Wilson, and Michael McDowell, with the No. 23 United Autosports with Michael Shank Racing Ford-Riley piloted by Martin Brundle, Mark Blundell, Zak Brown, and Mark Patterson.
Michael Shank Racing has prepared for the event for months, and will look to put that hard work and planning to full effect this weekend. The Rolex 24 marks a significant opportunity for new success for the team, which is racing with support from partners including Crown Royal, Rocky Fork, UBS, PVA.org, Curb Records, Continental Tire, Johnnie Walker, Ford Racing, and Richard Petty Motorsports.
"This is by far the biggest endeavor that this team has ever taken on, but we feel as ready as we possibly can be and we're all eager to get down to Daytona and get to work," said team owner Mike Shank. "We feel like we've dotted every "I" and crossed every "T" and now it's just a matter of executing on our plans. We have an outstanding driver line up in all three cars--just a remarkable group of guys with speed and tons of experience. I'm humbled that they are racing for me. I couldn't be more proud of the effort that this team has put into this, and I'm very excited about our chances."
Practice will kick off on Thursday morning, with Michael Shank Racing pursuing yet another front row start in qualifying at 3:45 on Thursday afternoon. The green flag is set to wave at 3:30 PM on Saturday, with SPEED carrying the opening seven hours live starting at 3:00 PM ET.
-source: msr
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