Ganassi drivers discuss early stints and strong position

The top two spots in the Rolex 24 at Daytona are have been mostly occupied by Ganassi Riley DPs. Both cars have run very strong and led the majority of the race. Recently, Tony Kanaan was forced to take the No. 02 to the garage to repair the broken front splitter, dropping from second to seventh. 

Here's whtat Scott Pruett, Scott Dixon, and Jamie McMurray had to say after their stints.

“I think the 01 and the 02 have been fairly consistent out there," said Dixon after his stint. "Fuel mileage we’re kind of chasing just to see where we end up toward the end of the race. The 02 seems to be going a little longer, which is nice to see, but I think the Chevy’s seem to find some pace in the race and they’re coming through the field with the 10 and the 5 as well. It’s so early. We just need to keep out of trouble. I had an incident out there with one of the Audi GTs, hit him a little bit in 5. At this point, it doesn’t seem like we have much damage, which is good.”

Chasing history

Scott Pruett is chasing history this weekend, but being his 25th Rolex 24, he understands that a lot can happen between now and tomorrow afternoon. “We have a long way to go, but the car is solid. Like Scott (Dixon) said, we’re kind of pacing ourselves, running a smart race. I did tell Dixon, if he’s leading and I’m second, I’d give him my watch just to win the race (laughs)."

As for the traffic and incidents at the start of the racing, the Ganassi duo echoed Jordan Taylor's critical comments of how some are driving early on.

“It’s never very nice. You think at the start of the race, it’s going to be the best talent in the cars, because you use the drivers who qualified. Even with that, there were some crazy antics out there and I had to take evasive maneuvers just to miss guys. It’s part of it, and we know all too well you can’t get caught up in someone else’s mistake. You’re over-cautious right now and just try to get by.”

McMurray takes the wheel

After a triple-sting, former Daytona 500 champion Jamie McMurray was ready for a break.

"Did I really do three? I thought I did five. It’s just very uncomfortable compared to a (NASCAR Sprint) Cup car. The seat doesn’t really fit anybody, so it’s way more uncomfortable than what you’re used to. It’s a lot of fun, though."

"I’m glad I got to run at a normal time. Normally I have to get in at midnight or something, and you don’t really get into it because you’re so out of it. Our car is really good. Scott did an awesome job that first stint. If we can just survive throughout the night and hand it off to him in that last run tomorrow, we should have a chance.”

Joey Hand (#01) and Tony Kanaan (#02) are now piloting the cars.