IMSA Notes: Energy Makes GTD Debut

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Among the many star-studded entry listing for the sixty fourth Rolex 24 At Daytona is a racing famous person making his debut within the famed twice-around-the-clock race.

Two-time IndyCar Sequence champion and 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner Will Energy set a quick time within the Grand Touring Daytona Professional (GTD PRO) class in Saturday afternoon’s session throughout Roar Earlier than the Rolex 24 testing.

Energy mentioned he’s loved taking within the new aggressive surroundings in preparation for his first IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race on the three.56-mile Daytona Worldwide Speedway street course.

The 44-year-old Australian, who’s shifting from a 17-year tenure at Workforce Penske within the IndyCar Sequence to the Andretti International workforce in 2026, will truly be competing in opposition to his new teammates Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson subsequent weekend.

“I’m actually having fun with it, it’s an actual large occasion that I’ve wished to do for a very long time,’’ mentioned Energy, who’s driving with fellow Australians Kenny Habul and Chaz Mostert and German Maro Engel within the No. 75 75 Categorical Mercedes-AMG GT3. “I’m actually joyful to be right here.’’

This week marks solely the second time Energy has turned any laps on the famed Daytona observe after additionally collaborating within the IMSA-sanctioned check in November.

“I’m having plenty of enjoyable,” Energy repeated. “I prefer it. It’s a distinct type of racing coping with vehicles motoring by you and having to navigate plenty of visitors and being very conscious of what’s occurring round you. Enjoyable.’’

Energy conceded that the Rolex 24 has lengthy been on his bucket listing.

“I’ve all the time been a bit too late to the sport speaking to groups, however good timing (now). It’s humorous that I hadn’t executed it (beforehand) as a result of I’d wished to do it for a very long time however all the time been so centered on being ready in IndyCar. However I’m late sufficient in my profession now, I’ve executed it lengthy sufficient, I don’t suppose it will have an effect on that. So actually able to go and luxuriate in it.’’

DragonSpeed Corvette

Corvette has welcomed its fifth full-season workforce to the WeatherTech Championship with DragonSpeed becoming a member of the Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) aggressive combine with its No. 81 Corvette Z06 GT3.R. The Rolex 24 that begins January 24 will mark the racing debut within the Corvette for all 4 drivers.

Giacomo Altoè, Henrik Hedman and Casper Stevenson are right here this weekend with Matteo Cairoli absent at a schedule battle. The primary three listed here are decided to capitalize on this weekend’s testing; Hedman famous a profitable shakedown shortly after taking the automobile’s supply late final yr.

“It was my first-ever laps within the Corvette,’’ mentioned Altoè, who was a key cog in DragonSpeed’s close to GTD PRO title run alongside Albert Costa in 2025. “It’s superb and a really completely different feeling than what I’m used to. After all, I wanted just a few laps to adapt. Dealing with was completely different nevertheless it’s additionally very completely different with how I’m seated within the automobile with the seating place, the sound, how the automobile works.

“I nonetheless have to undergo all of the methods so there may be plenty of homework to do. I simply want to search out out what the automobile wants and we are going to maintain progressing.”

Particular Biffle Livery

IMSA Michelin Pilot Problem workforce KohR Motorsports is working a particular tribute on certainly one of its vehicles to NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, who died together with relations and associates in a aircraft crash December 18 in North Carolina.

The No. 60 KohR Ford Mustang GT4 is carrying a paint scheme honoring the Biffles throughout Roar testing this weekend and once more for the collection’ season-opening race, the BMW M Endurance Problem on Friday at Daytona.

The Mustang – with the particular livery and the hashtag #BeLikeBiff – is sponsored by Roush and carries the No. 60 – all harking back to Biffle’s early profession when he drove a No. 60 Ford owned by Jack Roush to the 2002 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Components Sequence championship.

The connection between Biffle and the workforce goes a lot deeper. Biffle’s work with Angel Flight helped present wanted provides to areas of western North Carolina within the wake of 2024’s Hurricane Helene. The Angel Flight group has been one thing that J.C. Waidler, KohR’s motorsports director of selling and public relations, has been concerned in for 3 a long time.

“It’s not essentially a motorsports factor, it’s what he meant to folks off observe,’’ Waidler mentioned. “Lots of people who don’t comply with NASCAR heard about what Greg and (spouse) Christina did for folks in the course of the hurricane.’’

Dean Martin, who’s co-driving the Mustang with Ray Mason and Evan Slater, was adamant that the tribute was “the proper factor to do.’’

“It’s not even a lot about what Greg did in racing,’’ Martin mentioned. “It’s extra of his humanitarian efforts. Lots of people don’t even notice simply how a lot he’s executed.

“It was a standard objective,’’ Martin mentioned of the hurricane aid, “And that is admiration for him and what he’s executed exterior of racing.’’