Red Dragon Corvette First DP Entry for 50th Rolex 24

Never mind that the new GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Daytona Prototype has yet to turn a wheel on the racetrack. Stallings filed the first Daytona Prototype entry for the 2012 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 At Daytona, and will field a No. 99 Corvette DP for Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty.

The "Red Dragon" No. 99 Riley has been one of the most popular Rolex Series cars since its debut in 2005, and was raced to 15 victories and the 2007 and 2009 DP championships by Gurney and Fogarty.

There will be a new 'Red Dragon' for 2012, and an artist's rendering of the first Corvette DP in GAINSCO red has the newest version looking like it's ready to take flight on the front straight at Daytona International Speedway.

Gurney will be a sentimental favorite for the milestone event, as he looks to score his first victory in the American classic on the 50th anniversary of his father’s victory in the inaugural event. Dan Gurney won the 1962 race – then known as the Daytona Continental – in a dramatic finish, rolling under the checkered flag after his engine expired in the final minute.

The team has yet to announce its third driver for the Rolex 24, although it will not be five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and seven-time Rolex 24 competitor Jimmie Johnson. The team is expected to continue its lineage of using American drivers for its No. 99 in the near future.