Valiante Subbing For Negri In Shank No. 60

Michael Shank Racing announced on Friday that Ozz Negri’s recovery from the leg injury that he experienced in off-season training has suffered a setback, and the 2012 Rolex 24 At Daytona Champion will not race in the next two rounds of Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series competition.

Sharing the No. 60 Michael Shank Racing Ford-Riley with John Pew will be Michael Valiante, who raced with the team in the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona.

“You hate to have to see Ozz make this decision, but this is what’s best for him long-term," said team owner Mike Shank.

“He knows that he’s got to take a step back, and doing it right now means that he’ll have the biggest window possible to recuperate and be ready to go in Detroit. We are lucky to have Michael (Valiante) available to step in, and a huge thanks to John (Pew) for being flexible with the situation. The good thing is that John and Michael have so much experience working together, so we are fortunate to have a good solution to a really tough situation."

Since participating in the first-ever race to feature the Daytona Prototype in 2003, Negri has made 113 starts in Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series competition and has factored in every race he has entered. The Brazilian was able to tough his way through to race in the Rolex 24 At Daytona with a run to third place and his third Daytona podium result, but will now look forward to returning in Detroit.