Continuing a tradition started last year, when I attended the Rolex 24 in person, diary entries focusing on the journey of Action Express Racing as they compete at the Rolex 24. Due to the global pandemic, it saddens me that I cannot be at the speedway in person once again to support the team. But the future may allow for such a trip to happen again. Time will tell.
As the sun rose this morning over Daytona International Speedway, it marked the beginning of a new racing season, with sports cars, on the high banks, getting prepared for a double whammy. On Sunday, we will see the Motul Pole Award 100 as the 49 competitors entered for the Rolex 24 at Daytona will race in a flat out sprint for pole position. Yours truly so wishes he could be at the speedway again this year, marking the one year anniversary of when I did go to watch my favorite team, Action Express Racing, in action. We had one car, last year. But this year, it is very different. Two of the best Cadillac DPi-V.R cars, and a star studded, stacked driver lineup, of eight of the world's best race car drivers, from IMSA, World Endurance, NASCAR, IndyCar, and Formula 1. These are the championships our drivers have competed in throughout their careers.
Leading off in the classic #31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac, is a lineup mentioned here before. We have our stalwart dynamic duo of Felipe Nasr and Pipo Derani, being joined by Briton Mike Conway, concurrently a member of the Toyota team in World Endurance, as well as being a star of our endurance roster at Action Express, and, 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Chase Elliott. Elliott, is making his first start in a sports car of any kind, and he will be a big part of the #31's driver's strength. In the #48 Ally Bank Cadillac, this is the all-star entry for AXR, who partners this year, with Hendrick Motorsports for their Rolex 24 effort. #48 too, is brimming with talented and experienced drivers. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson leads a lineup that also includes defending Rolex 24 champion Kamui Kobayashi (also concurrently driving in World Endurance for Toyota), 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner Simon Pagenaud, and a driver who won on debut with Action Express at the Rolex 24, more than a decade ago, making his return to our team, Germany's Mike Rockenfeller, who has had experience in IMSA, World Endurance, and the DTM. He is a DTM champion.
With this lineup of drivers, and with the support of Hendrick Motorsports, I believe this is our year. 2021 is Action Express' time to shine, and we can Expect To Win a fourth Rolex 24 crown. Sunday's 100 minute sprint for the pole will be very exciting. Excited to bring it to you. You will see both cars for Action Express come to the fore early, and see out two cars, finishing 1-2 to start on the front row for the greatest sports car race in North America, the 59th renewal of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
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