Corvette Daytona Prototypes to Feature New Look in 2015

The new Corvette DP resembles the C7 street car. That of course only matters if any fans are watching

The Corvette Daytona Prototype program for the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship will have a new look in 2015 as Chevrolet has developed new Corvette DP bodywork that reflects styling cues of the C7 Corvette Stingray production car.

The new-look bodywork will hit the track for the first time Monday as Action Express Racing – last year's winner of the TUDOR Championship’s Prototype title – tests at Daytona International Speedway ahead of the 2015 Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 24-25. Multiple Corvette DPs also will test in the C7 bodywork during the annual pre-Rolex Roar Before the 24 from Jan. 9-11 at Daytona.

"The relationship Chevrolet's racing programs have to our auto production lines is extremely important. That relevance of race car to showroom is a hallmark of our racing heritage," said Mark Kent, Chevrolet Director of Racing. "The success of the Corvette Daytona Prototype program is a point of pride for Chevrolet. Having the Corvette C7 DP competing for overall victories enhances the perception of the Corvette brand and allows America's sports car to compete for overall victories in North America’s most important endurance events."

The frontal area sees a striking change in design from the previous generation Corvette DP, including updates to the hood surface, headlights and radiator inlet area. The rear window area also has been updated.

At the rear of the car, the Corvette DP will take styling cues from the C7 including the rear taillights.

The C7 generation of Corvette DP looks to continue Chevrolet's impressive record in North American prototype racing since 2012. The Bowtie Brand won the 2014 Prototype Engine Manufacturer championship in the inaugural TUDOR Championship. That followed two consecutive Daytona Prototype Engine Manufacturer titles in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series – the forerunner of the TUDOR Championship along with the American Le Mans Series. In three years since its debut, the Corvette DP has claimed 22 race victories including the Rolex 24 At Daytona 24 and Petit Le Mans in 2014.