Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Announces 2014 IMSA Plans
Long-time partners Telcel and TELMEX return as the primary sponsors of the No. 01 Ford EcoBoost Riley in the Prototype category for the USCC season-long effort piloted by Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas in their eighth year together, after finishing the GRAND-AM era as most-successful driving duo in Rolex Sports Car Series history.
In addition, CGRFS will again field two Prototypes for the Rolex 24 At Daytona, featuring eight drivers that represent some of the best talent the motor racing world has to offer. Pruett and Rojas will unite with CGRFS NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) teammate Jamie McMurray and reigning Indy Lights Champion Sage Karam to form the lineup in the No. 01 Telcel/Target/Comfort Revolution Ford EcoBoost Riley, while the Team Target trio of drivers Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan and Kyle Larson join sports car star Marino Franchitti in the No. 02 Target/Telcel/Big Machine Records Ford EcoBoost Riley.
CGRFS previously announced it would utilize Ford’s 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost racing engine for the 2014 USCC season.
QUOTEBOARD:
Chip Ganassi, Team Owner:
“This race is always exciting for me. Because it is a 24-hour race, there are so many factors that go into having success. You need the drivers, the people, the equipment and the partners – but most importantly they all have to act as one team and that is where I think our strength lies. And having a little bit of luck on your side never hurts. When you make it to victory lane in this race, you know that you have accomplished something really special. In addition, it is not often when we can bring such a diverse group of drivers from NASCAR, INDYCAR and IMSA together to compete in one race. It is a great kick off to our racing season."
Jamie Allison, Director, Ford Racing:
“Chip Ganassi Racing is a world-class team with some of the best road racers in the world. The caliber of drivers including Scott Pruett, who started his racing career with Ford and is now the winningest driver in Rolex 24 history really raises the bar. We're happy to have that level of talent to showcase what Ford's EcoBoost technology can do on the race track."
2014 CGRFS Rolex 24 At Daytona Driver Lineup
SCOTT PRUETT – United States (No. 01 Telcel/Target/Comfort Revolution Ford EcoBoost Riley)
1994, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013 Rolex 24 At Daytona Overall Winner
2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 GRAND-AM Rolex Series Driver and Team Champion
MEMO ROJAS – Mexico (No. 01 Telcel/Target/Comfort Revolution Ford EcoBoost Riley)
2008, 2011, 2013 Rolex 24 At Daytona Overall Winner
2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 GRAND-AM Rolex Series Driver and Team Champion
JAMIE MCMURRAY – United States (No. 01 Telcel/Target/Comfort Revolution Ford EcoBoost Riley)
2010 Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 Winner
Seven-Time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Winner
2003 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year
SAGE KARAM – United States (No. 01 Telcel/Target/Comfort Revolution Ford EcoBoost Riley)
2013 Indy Lights Champion
2011 Star Mazda Rookie of the Year
2010 USF2000 Champion
SCOTT DIXON – New Zealand (No. 02 Target/Telcel/Big Machine Records Ford EcoBoost Riley)
2006 Rolex 24 At Daytona Overall Winner
2003, 2008, 2013 IndyCar Series Champion
2008 Indianapolis 500 Winner
TONY KANAAN – Brazil (No. 02 Target/Telcel/Big Machine Records Ford EcoBoost Riley)
2013 Indianapolis 500 Winner
2007 12 Hours of Sebring LMP2 Class Winner
2004 IndyCar Series Champion
KYLE LARSON – United States (No. 02 Target/Telcel/Big Machine Records Ford EcoBoost Riley)
2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver of the No. 42 Target Chevrolet (Rookie)
2013 NASCAR Nationwide Rookie of the Year
2012 NASCAR K & N Pro Series East Champion and Rookie of the Year
MARINO FRANCHITTI – Scotland (No. 02 Target/Telcel/Big Machine Records Ford EcoBoost Riley)
2010, 2013 LMP2 American LeMans Series Champion
2001 British GTO Champion
1993 Scottish Pro-Kart Champion