Lexus Takes The Rolex 24 At Daytona For Third Year In A Row

Lexus Takes The Rolex 24 At Daytona For Third Year In A Row
The Chip Ganassi with Felix Sabates racing program became the first team to capture a Rolex 24 At Daytona overall victory in three straight years when Rolex Series stars Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas and NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Dario Franchitti captured the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 season opener in the No. 01 TELMEX/Target Lexus Riley. The record breaking race was the 46th running of the classic endurance race.

In a race that featured Grand-Am Rolex Series and Rolex 24 records for car leaders (15), driver leaders (25) and lead changes (60), the Ganassi team stayed out of trouble to complete 695 laps and march to a two-lap victory over defending series champions No. 99 GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Lowe's Pontiac Riley of Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty, joined by back-to-back NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and former Champ Car champion Jimmy Vasser.

The wins were the second straight for Montoya and Pruett, the first time drivers earned repeat victories in the race since Derek Bell, Al Unser, Jr. and Al Hulbert accomplished the feat in 1986 and 1987.

"We pushed very hard," Montoya said. "Every stint I was in the car, I pushed really hard. It's a good way to start the year. We all worked; we all did what we need to do."


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DaHarderDaHarder - 1/28/2008 11:52:02 AM
+8 Boost
Oh... I Can't Wait To read The responses To This...

GREAT Job LEXUS!


vman1013vman1013 - 1/28/2008 11:55:12 AM
+3 Boost
When I switched to watch the Buick Open there was a BMW and two Ponitac engines in First through Third Place. Congrats Lexus! Keep it up and you can shut up people who don't believe you can do it - like me!


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 1/29/2008 4:14:10 PM
+1 Boost
I think that comment was completely unneccessary. I don't think they wiped anything with the porsches. I agree that they won against a tough field, but I think wiping the floor would mean that the other 5 Mazdas would finish ahead of the other Porsches, which is not the case. They just ran a clean race. Must give credit for winning, but wiping the floor is just a big stretch. I usually do not deboost, but that one deserves one...


528i528i - 1/28/2008 12:07:08 PM
-8 Boost
Let the hate began.



HyundaiHyundai - 1/28/2008 12:28:25 PM
+2 Boost
Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate!


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 1/28/2008 12:33:49 PM
+1 Boost
Congrats to Lexus. Its a tough field to compete in, and thats 3 years in a row that the Lexus Riley took the Chequered flag.


VISOVISO - 1/29/2008 3:52:46 PM
+1 Boost
Is that like 8 24 Heurs de Le Mans wins?


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 1/29/2008 4:02:26 PM
+2 Boost
no, if you are talking about audi, its 7 in 8 years. but 24hr of Daytona is an achievement within itself, if you consider that at the circuit de la sarthe, you have about 50 cars on a 8.2 mile track, while at Daytona, you have about 65 cars on a 3.7 mile track. Its challenging to always have to maneuver around. Nevertheless, both are achievements to be proud of...


RealitySmackRealitySmack - 1/28/2008 12:52:49 PM
+1 Boost
Congrats Lexus!


RealitySmackRealitySmack - 1/28/2008 1:01:40 PM
0 Boost
LOL! Somebody is already starting to deboost the first 8 post...


LexusKindaGuy12LexusKindaGuy12 - 1/28/2008 1:35:33 PM
+6 Boost
its going to take a little more work than an IS250 to smoke 3 series. lol!


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 1/28/2008 1:53:00 PM
+1 Boost
josh you are ridiculous. Lexus has along way to go to want to be talked about on the same par with BMW in regards to racing championships or wins for that matter. I congratulate lexus on winning though. It is a step in the right direction.

Josh ... IS250 faster than a 328i, huh? who are you crapping? IS350 vs 335? Josh I am sad to say you have been misinformed or are dilusional in regards to the performance of the Lexus IS vs a 3-series BMW. It is okay though, cause i understand your passion. But you are ridiculous.


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 1/28/2008 5:25:24 PM
+2 Boost
I just got a few comments.

Joshlexus4Ever: you are young, and still have lots to learn. IS250 going against a 325/328? thats a little much.

ErichHartmann: Mercedes acheivements in motorsports are even ahead of Porsche... thats a bit of a stretch. Its comparable, but ahead, thats a long stretch. They are older in motorsports, but the GP cars of the 20s/30s were designed/engineered by Ferdinand Porsche.

My question is, why is it that in the Rolex Series, engine providers do not manufacture their own chassis? is there a rule against that? I don't know much about the Rolex Series rules, but I know every team is using either the Riley/Crawford/Duran etc...

Does anyone know the answer?


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 1/28/2008 5:30:45 PM
-2 Boost
"By the way I am new here and I am looking forward to making many new friends, mostly Lexus fans because they're really nice and intelligent and make awesome choices when it comes to cars!"

LOL.

I'm sorry, but LOL.

If you were a truly intelligent buyer, you would "make friends" with everyone on this site, and not just be a rabid Lexus fanboy.


VISOVISO - 1/29/2008 3:50:02 PM
+2 Boost
I wouldn't say that their only rivals are BMW or MB and not a global scale. Currently, the most successful motor sport program belongs to Audi. So your take on it is very narrow-minded.


r15mohdr15mohd - 1/28/2008 1:16:43 PM
+1 Boost
deboosted...street racing for the loss!!!






autoproautopro - 1/28/2008 1:28:11 PM
-1 Boost
Where's all the German fan boys?I don't want to rub it in ,and Lexus has a long way to go to even get close to compare to the history of greats like Porsche and Mercedes when it comes to racing.Everybody has got to start somewhere.


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 1/28/2008 5:27:44 PM
+6 Boost
I'm a German car fan (not fan boy) and I speak for true motorsport fans that credit must be given where credit is due, and Lexus engines are great at endurance racing. 3 years in a row, thats a remarkable task.


AnthonyAnthony - 1/28/2008 7:10:29 PM
+4 Boost
Oh yes, one of those rare times where a clear distinction between "Toyota" and "Lexus" is enforced.


jon21jon21 - 1/28/2008 4:22:54 PM
+2 Boost
Good job Lexus..3 years in a row!


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 1/28/2008 5:31:22 PM
-3 Boost
Nice job, Lexus!


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 1/30/2008 10:01:49 PM
+1 Boost
I was de-boosted for this?

Right.


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 1/28/2008 8:12:14 PM
0 Boost
michael .. that is a bit of a stretch, dont you think?


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 1/28/2008 8:52:36 PM
0 Boost
Shh, just let him have his time in the sun...


krackerhatesmekrackerhatesme - 1/28/2008 9:20:52 PM
+4 Boost
I thought Toyota / Lexus can't build cars for racing. Is this a fluke? Three years in a row? Is that printed correctly? LOL Congrats Lexus! Now start building the LF-A.


autoproautopro - 1/29/2008 12:05:09 PM
+8 Boost
Hey its double ratko he' twice as stupid as the first one.


autoproautopro - 1/29/2008 12:05:38 PM
+5 Boost
HE's


autoproautopro - 1/29/2008 1:15:25 PM
+5 Boost
Hey its Double Ratko back to show he can be twice as stupid as before!


autoproautopro - 1/29/2008 1:54:52 PM
+6 Boost
And just think I'm twice as smart as you,DOUBLE RATKO


XYZZXYZZ - 1/30/2008 4:48:47 AM
0 Boost

you may actually be FOUR times smarter.


mikey1500mikey1500 - 1/30/2008 8:32:56 PM
+2 Boost
maybe even 5 but wut do I know i'm knew to this site but ur name sounds cooler haha but i would like to see lexus catch up a bit more in other races...


mikey1500mikey1500 - 1/30/2008 8:33:58 PM
+1 Boost
lol oops I cant spell the best either eh? my bad..
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