Rolex 24 At Daytona - 2009

[Oli_M]

Since I couldn't see a thread here already, thought I'd start this one!

What's everyone's views on the upcoming race?

The official entry list on grand-am.com hasn't bee updated, but most teams have now announced their driver lineups.

I'll be interested to see how the Penske team get on (#16 car, Dumas, Bernhard, Briscoe) having switched from the ALMS series to Grand-Am for 2009. Obviously the Ganassi teams (#01, Montoya, Pruett, Rojas and #02, Dixon, Franchitti, Lloyd) and the Brumos Porches have looked good in the testing this week. The race is the weekend 22-25th January with Practise and Qualifying on 22nd and 23rd and the Race starting at 3:30pm ET on 24th. The race is broadcast in the States on Fox (for the first hour) and then SPEED, and there is usually plenty of online coverage.

[Mark in Oshawa]

It is a race worth watching...because every 24 hour race is compelling in its own way. That said...more people would watch if the Grand AM cars were not so damned goofy looking.....

[F1boat]

I hope that Montoya will win again
About Penske, interesting decision. I wonder whether they will do well in Grand Am. I hope so!

[wmcot]

It is a race worth watching...because every 24 hour race is compelling in its own way. That said...more people would watch if the Grand AM cars were not so damned goofy looking.....

Agreed! A little variety would be nice! Right now it's kind of like watching "NASCAR for Sportscars"

[Oli_M]

It is a race worth watching...because every 24 hour race is compelling in its own way. That said...more people would watch if the Grand AM cars were not so damned goofy looking.....

I completely agree that the 'interesting' looking cars are a bit of a turn-off. But, I can almost forgive that as usually the racing is great and as you say there's something about the 24hr races (Daytona, LeMans in particular) that compels you to watch!

[wedge]

Daytona 24hrs is the first major road/oval racing event of the year so its the few occasions that I do get some real excitement from Grand-Am.

[DanicaFan]

I will be watching this race this year. Danica is racing in it!!!!

She is racing for Childress-Howard Motorsports in the #2 black/orange car. Her teammates are Andy Wallace, Casey Mears, and Rob Finlay. She is going to kick some tail there.

She last raced in this back in 2006.

[trumperZ06]

GrandSham Prototypes... too much like spec racing.

I'll take a peek... watching Speed tv between comercials,

but the current Daytona-Rolex 24 hr. race

doesn't compare to what it once was.

[Oli_M]

too much like spec racing.

doesn't compare to what it once was.

Err.... that's EXACTLY what it is....

But no, it isn't what it once was. (and I'm not convinced that's all bad) You have to watch LeMans for outright Prototype racing for 24hrs!

Although bit confused... Penske are still currently showing 2 entries on the official website, both with the same drivers :S

Trying to work out how much of it myself I can watch.... start time will be 8:30pm here in the UK...... so I should be able to watch much of it!

[wedge]

GrandSham Prototypes... too much like spec racing.

I'll take a peek... watching Speed tv between comercials,

but the current Daytona-Rolex 24 hr. race

doesn't compare to what it once was.

True but racing is racing and its that time of year where I need my fix of hi-octane of top level motorsport