Phoenix International Raceway was the lastplace that Brumos Racing drivers Hurley Haywood and JC France stood atop thepodium in Victory Lane. The duo piloted their No. 59 Porsche Fabcar to itssecond-straight win of the 2003 season in last year's Food City 250. But badluck befell the team, resulting in a year-long winless streak. Now the pairreturn to the site of their last victory in hopes of rekindling the magicof racing under the lights that led them to victory one year ago.
"I'm looking forward to defending our victory of last year and being thefirst (Daytona Prototype) team to have repeat victories at the same event,"said France.
"I think we have a great car, and JC has over a year of Daytona Prototyperacing under his belt," said Haywood. "So, we will run up front and see whathappens."
The beginning of the 2004 season has not been kind to the Brumos Racingteam. A strong start in the Rolex 24 At Daytona came to a sudden end in themiddle of the night when a broken suspension took the No. 59 Porsche out ofthe race, resulting in a 41st-place finish overall and 11th among theDaytona Prototypes. In round two, the twosome was unable to repeat lastyear's win at the Grand Prix of Miami, finishing just off the podium infourth place.
Now their sights are set on Phoenix International Raceway, where the driversadmit survival will be key. With more than 40 race cars taking to Phoenix'stwisty 1.5-mile road course, including 18 Daytona Prototypes, attrition isexpect to be high, and France and Haywood hope to be one of the laststanding when the checkered falls.
"I think patience will be the key at Phoenix, which is basically the samestrategy we used last year," explained Haywood.
"I agree with Hurley," added France. "Patience and staying out of trouble isthe key, as well as picking your passing points."
The Brumos Racing drivers are not the only ones that will be looking torepeat last year's success during the Food City 250. Drivers Cort Wagner andBrent Martini took top honors in the GT class after a thrilling last-turnpass for the lead in 2003. This season, the pair has traded in the No. 33Ferrari 360GT that carried them the GT championship last season for a newBMW-powered Doran JE4 Daytona Prototype fielded by Rx.com G&W Motorsports.Kelly Collins has also teamed up with former champs in their quest for theirfirst Daytona Prototypes victory.
In the No. 81 BMW Doran's debut race, the Rx.com G&W Motorsports team scoredan impressive second-place finish overall; not only establishing the team asa top contender in the field, but also solidifying the drivers' chance oftaking a second-straight win in the desert.
G&W Motorsports also took the SportsRacing Prototype II crown in last year'sFood City 250. This year drivers Danny Marshall, Steve Marshall and ShawnBayliff have moved into the Daytona Prototypes class, racing the No. 08 BMWPicchio DP2.
The Food City 250 event weekend will get underway on Friday with tickets toRolex Series qualifying and the Grand-Am Cup Phoenix Grand Sport 200 racejust $10, with children 12 and under free. Tickets for Saturday night's FoodCity 250 are $25 each, $5 for children, and all guests will have access tothe garage and paddock. Camping and VIP Suite hospitality package are alsoavailable. Tickets are available by phone at 602-252-2227, at track'sdowntown ticket office at the Arizona Center, 3rd Street and Van Buren inPhoenix, or online at phoenixraceway.com.
