Rolex 24 Hour 22: Pruett Closes In On Record-Tying Triumph

One record is down in the 51st Rolex 24 at Daytona. Scott Pruett may be on his way to tying another. Pruett led by 22 seconds in the No. 01 TELMEX/Target Chip Ganassi Racing BMW/Riley in the chase for a record-tying fifth overall victory in the great race. With 22 hours down, this year’s race broke the 2008 event’s record with 64 car lead changes.

Pruett, the pole-winner Thursday, led Marcus Ambrose in the hard-charging No. 60 Michael Shank Racing Ford/Riley. Max Angelelli was third the No. 10 Velocity Worldwide Corvette DP.

The GT battle remains anyone’s guess. Magnus Racing’s No. 44 Porsche GT3 had led throughout but the team’s pit strategy moved Rene Rast in the No. 52 APR Motorsport Audi R8 GRAND-AM into the lead during the pit stop cycle. Jeroen Bleekemolen was second for Alex Job Racing in the No. 23 Porsche GT3 but both cars were set to pit just past the 22-hour mark.

Shane Lewis and Napleton Racing remained in comfortable control of GX with a nine-lap lead for the No. 16 Porsche Cayman. Seth Thomas was second for Bullet Racing in the No. 22 Porsche Cayman.