The growing number of DaytonaPrototypes will get a little larger at the Grand Prix of Miami next weekend,with four teams debuting new cars in round two of the Grand American RolexSports Car Series. G&W Motorsports, CompUSA Chip Ganassi Racing with FelixSabates, Silverstone Racing Services and Murray's Speed & Custom will eachunveil a new Daytona Prototype at Homestead-Miami Speedway during the ToyotaINDY 300 event weekend.
G&W Motorsports has added a second Daytona Prototype to its stable with theNo. 81 Rx.com BMW Doran JE-4 of Cort Wagner, Brent Martini and KellyCollins. "We are getting really excited about bringing the Rx.com car toHomestead and seeing what the future holds for G&W Motorsports in theDaytona Prototype class," said G&W Motorsports team owner Cole Scrogham,whose team also fields the No. 80 Marshall Concrete BMW Picchio DP2 and No.86 Quaker State Porsche GT3 RS.
"The Doran JE-4 with BMW engines by Dinan Engineering should prove to be anice package for Rx.com to hang their hat on. Cort, Brent and Kelly make thepackage complete. We have high expectations for success with the greatdriver lineup and the hard work from the team," added Scrogham.
In only its second Rolex Series race, Chip Ganassi Racing will add a secondDaytona Prototype to its team with the No. 02 CompUSA Lexus Riley XI ofJimmy Morales and Luis Diaz complementing the No. 01 Lexus of Max Papis andScott Pruett.
"We are very pleased to be able to add a second car for the rest of theseason. We're expecting both cars and all the drivers to perform at a highlevel from the start. It is a continuation of our 'one-team one-dream'concept. There will never be a number-one or number-two car. Both cars anddrivers will always get equal treatment and equipment, and we expect them tobe up front at every race," said team owner Chip Ganassi, who's No. 01CompUSA Lexus was on the pole at the Rolex 24 At Daytona earlier this month.
Silverstone Racing Services will take possession of its new No. 39 GeorgiaInstitute of Technology Pontiac Crawford early next week for testing priorto its debut in Miami.
"We have purchased a Crawford, which we will test next week at Roebling Roadin anticipation of our debut at the Grand Prix of Miami next weekend. Max(Crawford) and his organization have been a delight to work with during theconstruction process," said team owner-driver Larry Huang. "We ran aCorvette in last year's Grand-Am Cup Series and really enjoyed thecompetition and camaraderie. It was quite clear to us that the DaytonaPrototype class was going to take off in '04, and we wanted to be a part ofthat growth."
Murray's Speed & Custom will give chassis manufacturer Chase Engineering itsracing debut with the No. 18 Leavy Racing Enterprises Pontiac Chase of JonLeavy and Johnny Miller.
"I'm really excited, because I've worked to get in this position for many,many years. Racing a Daytona Prototype is a step in the right direction,"said team owner-driver Leavy, who tested the No. 18 Pontiac at MorosoMotorsports Park earlier this week. "I'm very familiar with (theHomestead-Miami) circuit, so I don't have to learn the track. I just have tolearn the car."
Currently, 18 Daytona Prototypes and 28 Acxiom Grand Touring Challenge carsare set to take to Homestead-Miami Speedway's road course for practice onThursday, February 26. Qualifying for the Grand Prix of Miami will be heldon Friday, February 27 at 4:30 p.m., with the green flag falling onSaturday, February 28 at 3 p.m.
Tickets are currently on sale for the Grand Prix of Miami, as well as theentire Toyota INDY 300 weekend, and can be purchased online athomesteadmiamispeedway.com or by calling 305-230-RACE.
Additional information on the Grand Prix of Miami and the Rolex Sports CarSeries is available online at grandamerican.com.
