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GRAND AMERICAN ROAD RACING ASSOCIATION |
31/12/2003 |
Wallace, Stewart, Earnhardt Jr. To Drive Crawford |
Mega Star Line Up |
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Wallace, Stewart, Earnhardt Jr. To Drive Crawford Daytona Prototype In Rolex 24 At Daytona
Howard-Boss Motorsports and Crawford Race Cars announced today that veteran road racer Andy Wallace will team with NASCAR stars Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the Rolex 24 At Daytona in the No. 2 Crawford DP03 Daytona Prototype.
"This is an exciting time for all of us at Howard-Boss Motorsports," Rick Howard stated. We have set our standards high with the new DP03 Daytona Prototype car. Our unique blend of driving talent with Andy Wallace, Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. makes this event even more exciting, not only for our team, but for the fans of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series. Our expectations are also high for our team-mates in the No. 4 Boss Snowplow Dave Brule-owned car. The results of our recent test session at the Homestead-Miami Speedway are very encouraging and we're really looking forward to the Rolex 24 At Daytona."
"From the manufacturer point of view, I'm elated to have three DP03 Daytona Prototype cars competing in the Rolex 24," commented Max Crawford, owner of Crawford Race Cars. "I'm also pleased to be associated with such a stellar list of drivers who I'm sure will do an outstanding job."
Andy Wallace, a mainstay on the international sports car circuit for many years, has won the Rolex 24 At Daytona three times in his storied career. Wallace was on the winning team in 1990, 1997 and 1999 and is the only driver to win all three major road racing endurance events, the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Sebring 12 Hours and Le Mans 24 Hour.
"I'm happy to be driving in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series and the new Daytona Prototype car," Wallace stated. "These cars are fun to drive. My two team-mates are obviously established NASCAR drivers, and I'm thrilled to be driving with such wonderful team-mates. Max and Jan Crawford have been working very hard on these cars, and if the new cars are as great as their SSC2K, they'll be fantastic machines."
Tony Stewart will be making his second start in the Rolex 24 for Crawford Race Cars. Stewart teamed with Jan Lammers and Johnny Mowlem in a Crawford SSC2K Prototype in the 2002 endurance race. After an impressive run at the front of the field, engine problems sidelined the Stewart, Lammers and Mowlem team just past the midway point in the twice-around-the-clock event.
"Driving these cars is so much fun," Stewart stated. It is unlike anything we do in the Nextel Cup. And, I feel like this event owes me another chance. We were running very well in 2002 right up until the engine let go."
Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be making his second start in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Earnhardt Jr. teamed with his father Dale Earnhardt, Andy Pilgrim and Kelly Collins in a Chevrolet Corvette to finish fourth overall in the 2001 event.
"I am really excited about going back to Daytona for this race," Earnhardt Jr. commented. I had talked to Jim France about it (Rolex 24) earlier this year, and the Crawford Chevrolet opportunity came up in November. The chance to work with Andy Wallace and have some fun with Tony (Stewart) was too good to pass up."
The Wallace, Stewart and Earnhardt Jr. team will have the support of Action Performance Companies and Chevrolet for the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
"I'm thrilled that racing stars Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart will again participate in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, giving fans the opportunity to see these drivers compete in a different setting," said Fred Wagenhals, Action Performance Chairman, President, and CEO. "Action Performance has a strong relationship with both drivers and will support this program with officially licensed merchandise."
Gary Claudio, GM Racing Group Marketing Manager, commented, GM Racing is pleased to be involved with this endeavour. Since two of our NASCAR Chevrolet drivers will be participating, this event will be exciting for the fans as well as the competitors. GM Racing is proud to be associated with Howard-Boss Motorsports, Crawford Race Cars and Grand American Road Racing."
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