Howard-Boss Motorsports and Crawford Race Cars have announced that former Rolex 24 At Daytona winners Butch Leitzinger and Elliott Forbes-Robinson (EFR) will team with car owner Dave Brule and NASCAR Superstar Jimmie Johnson to drive the No. 4 Boss Snowplow DP03 Daytona Prototype entry in the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
"With the addition of Jimmie Johnson, our driver lineup is complete," saidBrule, owner/driver of the No. 4 Boss Snowplow Daytona Prototype. "As carowner, I couldn't be more pleased with the talent we've assembled. Elliottand Butch have five overall Rolex 24 At Daytona wins and incredible racinghistories. Jimmie has obviously proven his ability to drive just aboutanything and is clearly one of the rising stars in NASCAR. I'm also quitepleased with the blend of personalities. These guys have been absolutelygreat to work with. Not only are they extremely professional, they are funto be around."
"Both Rick Howard and I are pleased with the (test) results at Homestead andare looking forward to its (DP03 Daytona Prototype) first run at Daytona,"Brule continued. "Plus, we can't say enough about the effort put in by Max(Crawford) and the team at Crawford Race Cars -- they've been superb."
"We're extremely delighted that Dave Brule chose us to be his manufacturer,"Crawford stated. "And, we're also honored to be associated with Howard-BossMotorsports. We're delighted to have someone of his caliber come over to runin the Rolex Series. We're also pleased to be associated once again withElliott and Butch. Plus, we welcome Jimmie Johnson into what Dave Brulecalls 'The Family Plan'."
Butch Leitzinger, a road racing veteran from State College, Pa., has won theRolex 24 At Daytona three times in his twelve career starts. Leitzinger wasa member of the winning team in 1994, 1997 and 1999. Coincidentally,Leitzinger and Forbes-Robinson teamed for the '97 and '99 victories withCrawford as their crew chief.
"I've known Max and Jan Crawford for a long time, and have worked with themon several occasions," Leitzinger said. "When I learned that they werebuilding a Daytona Prototype car, I called EFR and wanted to be involvedwith this program. I met Dave Brule several years ago, and he's a realgentleman. I am really happy to be a part of this team and have theopportunity to compete in the Rolex 24 At Daytona."
Forbes-Robinson will be making his 19th career start in the Rolex 24 AtDaytona. Along with his two victories teaming with Leitzinger in '97 and'99, EFR has earned six top-five and eight top-10 finishes in theprestigious twice around the clock event.
"The Crawfords have worked very hard on the new DP03 Daytona Prototype car,"EFR commented. "Howard-Boss Motorsports has a great group of drivers intheir cars, and I feel as though we have as good a shot as anyone in therace."
Jimmie Johnson will be making his first-ever start in the Rolex 24 AtDaytona after finishing second in the NASCAR Nextel Cup standings in 2003.Johnson posted three wins and captured two Bud Pole Awards as well aswinning "The Winston" in May.
"I am really excited to be participating in such a prestigious race,"Johnson stated.
The Leitzinger, EFR, Brule and Johnson team will have the support of ActionPerformance Companies and Chevrolet for the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
"I'm thrilled that Jimmie Johnson will participate in his first Rolex 24 AtDaytona, giving his fans the opportunity to see him compete in a differentsetting," commented Fred Wagenhals, Action Performance Chairman, Presidentand CEO. "Action Performance has a strong relationship with Jimmie and willsupport this program with officially licensed merchandise."
Gary Claudio, GM Racing Group Marketing Manager, remarked, "GM Racing and Chevrolet are pleased to be involved with this endeavor. With the additionof Jimmy Johnson, three of our NASCAR Chevrolet drivers will beparticipating in this event with Howard-Boss Motorsports, making this eventexciting for the fans as well as the competitors. GM Racing is proud to beassociated with Howard-Boss Motorsports, Crawford Race Cars and the GrandAmerican Rolex Sports Car Series."
Howard-Boss Motorsports will participate in pre-season testing at DaytonaInternational Speedway, January 3-5. Admission to the Oldfield grandstandsduring testing is free of change and can be accessed through the lobby ofDAYTONA USA.
Tickets to the 42nd Anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 29 -February 1, are currently on sale and can be purchased online atdaytonainternationalspeedway.com.
