Allmendinger keeps Shank on top thru practice 3

Michael Shank Racing's quest to repeat as Rolex 24 champions continued its strong start as AJ Allmendinger set the fastest time in Saturday's third practice with a lap of 1:42.296 (125.283 mph) in the No. 60 Ford/Riley. This marked the third time in five sessions that a Shank car set the fastest time, with Michael Valiante posting the fastest time in the No. 6 Ford/Riley one session earlier.

Michael Christensen set the fastest time in GT turning a lap of 1:49.420 (117.127 mph) in the No. 32 Konrad Motorsport/Orbit Porsche GT3. Christensen's lap came in the final five minutes of the session, knocking Robin Liddell in the No. 57 Stevenson Motorsports Camaro from the top spot.

In GX it was Shane Lewis in the No. 16 Napleton Racing Porsche Cayman who turned the fastest lap, with a lap of 156.222 (110.272 mph).

Defending Rolex 24 Winners Fastest In Second Saturday Session

Last year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona winners haven’t lost their moxie. Michael Shank Racing and Magnus Racing posted the fastest times in their respective classes in Saturday’s second practice during the Roar Before The Rolex 24.

Michael Valiante set the best time a 1:42.160 (125.45 mph) in Michael Shank Racing’s No. 6 Ford/Riley. Riley chassis held the top six positions although Ford and BMW power alternated spots. Juan Pablo Montoya was second-quickest for TELMEX/Target Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates at 1:42.463 (125.08 mph). AJ Allmendinger was third in Michael Shank Racing’s No. 60 Ford/Riley, just 0.322 seconds behind the No. 6 team car.

Andy Lally was the fastest GT driver in the No. 44 Magnus Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. His lap of 1:49.128 (117.44 mph) was 0.338 seconds quicker than Nick Tandy in the No. 32 Konrad Motorsport/Orbit Racing Porsche. Spencer Pumpelly was third in class at 1:49.550 (116.99 mph) for Park Place Motorsports in its No. 73 Porsche.

In GX, Nelson Canache posted the best time in class for Porsche Napelton Racing at 1:56.451 (110.05 mph). Canache and the No. 16 Porsche Cayman were 1.313 seconds clear of Ryan Eversley in BGB Motorsports’ Porsche Cayman GX.R.

BMW, Porsche Sweep Saturday Morning Session At Daytona

Dane Cameron led a trio of BMWs atop the time sheets to kick of Saturday’s test sessions for the Roar Before the Rolex 24. In GT, it was Patrick Long’s Porsche GT3 Cup leading the way, while another Porsche, the Caymen driven by Shane Lewis, topped the GX times.

Driving the No. 42 Team Sahlen BMW/Riley, Cameron laid down a 1:42.101 (125.52 mph) early and could not be bested by either of the Target/TELMEX Chip Ganassi Racing BMW Rileys, which came on strong late in the one hour and 45 minute session.

Long’s time of 1:48.569 (118.045 mph) in the No. 73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche GT3 Cup led a train of three Porsches for the best GT time of the session.

The new GX category was led by Shane Lewis, who turned a 1:56.592 (109.92 mph) in the No. 16 Napleton Racing Porsche Caymen

The next Rolex Series test session at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. (ET). Live timing and scoring is available on grand-am.com.