Ganassi Announces Rolex 24 Lineup

Courtesy of SPEED.com

Five-time and reigning GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Cars Series Champions Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced today its season-long program for 2012, including their engine manufacturer partnership and driver line-up for the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Long-time partner TELMEX returns as the primary sponsor of the No. 01 Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley piloted by Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, the most-successful driving duo in GRAND-AM history, who return for their sixth consecutive season with CGRFS.

BMW Power returns for a third consecutive season through the support and assistance of BMW of North America, LLC and Dinan Engineering. The 5.0-liter BMW M S62 V8 power plant has driven the team to 14 Daytona Prototype class victories in 24 races over the last two seasons.

In addition, the four-time Rolex 24 At Daytona Winners will again run a two-car effort for the 50th running of the prestigious Rolex 24 At Daytona, featuring eight drivers representing some of the best talent the motor racing world has to offer.

Pruett and Rojas will unite with Chip Ganassi Racing Indy car teammate Graham Rahal and sports car racing talent Joey Hand to form the lineup in the No. 01 TELMEX/Target Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley, while Team Target IZOD IndyCar Series pilots Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti join their NASCAR teammates at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Juan Pablo Montoya and Jamie McMurray in the No. 02 Target/TELMEX Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley for a second consecutive year.

“We have been fortunate to have experienced a lot of success in the GRAND-AM series over the last eight years,” said team owner Chip Ganassi. “That success stems from a number of factors – like having great drivers behind the wheel, taking great equipment to the track, having great people in the shop and finding great partners. I am pleased to say that once again we will have all of that.

“Our drivers and the people we have building the cars are second to none and it is good to partner with TELMEX once again. TELMEX has been with us from the start and have been integral to our success on the track. But additionally, we are pleased to continue our relationships with Dinan and BMW. They are a very big part of the team and our success. 

“As for the Rolex 24, it is always fun to put together a lineup that includes drivers from all different forms of racing - GRAND-AM, INDYCAR, NASCAR and ALMS. But most importantly I simply love this race. Because it is an endurance race, it takes so much more to be successful in it and I think it says a lot about an organization that can make it to victory lane.  I can’t wait.”

The team comes into 2012 as the defending Rolex 24 At Daytona Winners and GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series Champions. Franchitti is also the defending IZOD IndyCar Series Champion, while Hand is the defending Rolex 24 At Daytona and Sebring 12 Hour GT Winner, as well as the American LeMans Series GT Titleholder.