Thoughts about the two-car Action Express team for the Rolex 24

Time, once again, for an Action Express editorial.  Yours truly is extremely happy to see these recent developments with respect to Action Express and our 2021 plans for the Rolex 24.  I was at the race this year and truly enjoyed my time at the speedway even though we had our troubles and did not win.  Our season was an up and down one in 2020 with a single victory at Sebring in the July sprint event as you may recall.  It is now time, to put all of that, in the rear view mirror.  I have a feeling, 2021 will be our year at the Rolex 24, with this new arrangement, partnering with Hendrick Motorsports.  To be precise, these are the driver lineups for Action Express for the Rolex 24, and, we are working out who will drive each car, for the qualifying race the weekend before the Rolex 24, so, details will be forthcoming on which two drivers from the respective teams are going to get the nod to run the 2 hour and 40 minute sprint qualifier.

Without further adieu, the introduction of the driver's strengths for the Action Express team cars.

Car #31, the classic, the old standby, the red and white Whelen Engineering special, Cadillac DPi-V.R, will see Felipe Nasr and Pipo "The Dynamo" Derani, joined in their dynamic duo by our pal Mike Conway from England, and by 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion, Chase Elliott.  This is the season-long entry for AXR, the car that is familiar to their fans.  

In addition, we shall have a new contender.  Car #48, the black and purple with yellow numerals, Ally Bank Action Express/Hendrick Motorsports Cadillac DPi-V.R.  This is the "all-star" car.  Chase Elliott, is a star in his own right, and he will again, be a part of the #31, the championship contending full-season AXR Cadillac.  The talent roster aboard the #48 is just as deep.  We will have IndyCar standout Simon Pagenaud from France, joined by two-time defending Rolex 24 champion Kamui Kobayashi of Japan, who is team mates with Mike Conway in Europe in the FIA World Endurance Championship for the Toyota factory.

Seven-time and recently retired NASCAR Cup champion, Jimmie Johnson is in the #48 roster.  He brings his number, his sponsor, and the expertise of Hendrick Motorsports, along with his team mate, Chase Elliott, defending NASCAR Cup champ, to Action Express, to assist in the quest for victory.  Pagenaud, Johnson, and Kobayashi, will be assisted by none other than Mike "Rocky" Rockenfeller of Germany.  Mike Rockenfeller has driven successfully for many teams and manufacturers in sports cars and in the DTM, the German touring car championship.  "Rocky" makes his return to Action Express, where, in 2010, in the team's maiden voyage at the Rolex 24, he assisted driver's Joao Barbosa, Terry Borcheller, and Ryan Dalziel, to the team's first of three overall victories we've earned in the classic twice around the clock marathon.

So, there you have it.  To review, these are the cars to look for, at the front of the grid and the pack, at both the Rolex 24 qualifier and the race itself.

Action Express Rolex 24 2021 roster.

#31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R.

F. Nasr/P. Derani/M. Conway/C. Elliott

#48 Ally Bank Cadillac DPi-V.R.

J. Johnson/S. Pagenaud/M. Rockenfeller/K. Kobayashi

We at Action Express, the team, the drivers, the fans, Expect To Win.  We have the cars, the people, the drivers, to deliver.  Daytona 2021... get ready.  It's going to be a thrill ride.