Several drivers from the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series will kick off their 2004 SpeedWeeks by participating in the 42nd Anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Jan. 31 - Feb.1.
Fan favorites Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will team up with AndyWallace in the Howard-Boss Motorsports No. 2 Chevrolet Crawford for thisyear's 24-hour classic, while Jimmie Johnson joins Elliott Forbes-Robinson,Butch Leitzinger and David Brule in the team's No. 4 Chevrolet.
"(I like to do the Rolex 24) because I get to race instead of sitting aroundall winter like everybody else does. There are a bunch of us doing it. DaleJr. is my teammate this year. Jimmie Johnson is driving a team car to ourcar. These guys who are doing it are the ones who like going out andracing - even though it's not a NEXTEL Cup event," said Stewart.
"I had the opportunity to run the 24 hour two years ago and had an absoluteblast. It was a lot of fun. We also ran the Paul Revere race here last yearwith Elliott Forbes-Robinson. It's nice to do something different every oncein a while. In all honesty, I really feel like it will help me be a betterroad racer when it comes time to go to the road course races with Cup thisyear. We learn so much from the guys who are professional road racers. Youpick up little things here and there," continued Stewart.
All three of the NEXTEL Cup drivers on the Howard-Boss Motorsports team wereat pre-season testing at Daytona International Speedway earlier this month,where they took their first laps in the pair of new Daytona Prototypes.
"(It's) a weird feeling getting ready to step into somebody else's car. I'vealways pretty much drove my own stuff, and when I didn't, I'd driveRichard's (Childress) car, and I didn't really think about what he'd thinkif I tore it up, because he knows me well enough. But the Crawfords don't,and I didn't know what they'd think if I tore their car up. So, I was kindof nervous when I was driving it," admitted Earnhardt, following his weekendof testing.
"I'm not quite as concerned now. I drove the car the second day, and it was100 percent better than it was the first day. The first day it was reallyall over the place. And I thought, 'man, if I've got to drive that thingwith three drivers in a 24-hour race, I was definitely going to do somedamage to it.' But we got it driving a lot better," added Earnhardt, whowill make his second Rolex 24 start after teaming with his father in the2001 race.
"I'm really excited to drive the Daytona Prototype car," said Johnson, whowill contest his first Rolex 24. "I've never been in anything that hasdriven like that. It's quite an experience. Crawford has put a great car onthe track so we've got a legitimate shot at winning the race, which would beanother good thing to have on the mantle. (I'm) feeling good about it, butthat first segment that I'm in the car, I'm just going to be watching myselfand make sure that I don't mess anything up."
Kyle Petty is also slated to compete in his fifth Rolex 24 At Daytona,racing the No. 45 Porsche Fabcar of Gunnar Racing.
The 42nd Anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona will be held Jan. 29 - Feb.1. Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased online atdaytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 386-253-RACE. Foradditional information on the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series,pre-season testing or the Rolex 24 At Daytona, visit grandamerican.com.
