31 January, 2021
The tight contest for the overall lead of the 2021 Rolex 24 At Daytona was as spirited as predicted 12 hours into the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener as it was at the drop of the green flag.
And at the midpoint of the race, a familiar name was showing the way.
Filipe Albuquerque had the No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing/Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 DPi out front, holding the No. 48 Action Express/Ally Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R and Mike Rockenfeller off by less than a second with Chip Ganassi Racing’s Kevin Magnussen and reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott, in the pole-winning No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac, giving chase.
By Holly Cain-IMSA Wire Service
Chase Elliott and Jimmie Johnson will both be competing in this weekend s Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. Elliott will compete in the No 31. and Johnson in the No. 48, both for Action Express Racing. Photo: IMSA Wire Service
For all intents and purposes, NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott will be starting the 2021 season where he finished the 2020 season – out front.
Elliott’s No. 31 Whelen Engineering Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R team has won the pole position for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona this weekend. And one of his primary competitors for the coveted new Rolex watch will be his former Hendrick Motorsports teammate, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson.
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By Mark Robinson - IMSA Wire Service
A.J. Allmendinger was fastest in Thursday afternoon’s Rolex 24 practice session for this weekend s Rolex 24 At Daytona. Photo: IMSA Wire Service
Dane Cameron and Juan Pablo Montoya moved to a new home for the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, and they brought along an old and trusted friend.
The 2019 series champions looked on contentedly Thursday afternoon as teammate A.J. Allmendinger posted the fastest practice lap during Thursday afternoon’s practice in preparations for the 59th Rolex 24 At Daytona. Allmendinger powered around the Daytona International Speedway road course in 1 minute, 34.287 seconds (135.925 mph) driving the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian Acura ARX-05 DPi.
By IMSA Wire Service
Felipe Nasr and Pipo Derani won Sunday s Motul Pole Award 100 at Daytona International Speedway, and will start on the pole for next weekend s Rolex 24 along with co-drivers Chase Elliott and Mike Conway. Photo: IMSA Wire Service
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Rain and a penalty didn’t create any problems Sunday for Felipe Nasr and Pipo Derani.
Relegated to a sixth-place starting position after their No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi V.R failed technical inspection Saturday night for being underweight, the duo rallied to win the inaugural Motul Pole Award 100, which determined the starting order for next weekend’s 59th Rolex 24 At Daytona.