Wilson leads contingent of IZOD IndyCar stars to Rolex 24
Wilson, who returns to Dreyer & Reinbold Racing for the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series season, is co-driving the No. 6 entry alongside A.J. Allmendinger and Michael McDowell for Michael Shank Racing. He's among seven full-time IZOD IndyCar Series drivers from the 2010 season who are testing this weekend at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the event Jan. 29-30 on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn circuit.
Also competing will be reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti and Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates), Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing's Graham Rahal (Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates), Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe (Sun Trust Racing), Andretti Autosport's Ryan Hunter-Reay (Level 5 Motorsports), and 2009 IZOD IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year Raphael Matos (Level 5 Motorsports). Additionally, drivers with ties to the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500 competing include 2004 Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice, Max Papis and Memo Gidley.
Rahal will join Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, the reigning Rolex Series Daytona Prototype co-champions, plus Joey Hand in the No. 01 TELMEX/Target car. Franchitti and Dixon – a two-time IZOD IndyCar Series champion – will co-drive the No. 02 Target/TELMEX entry with Juan Pablo Montoya and Jamie McMurray.
Collectively, the two teams have won 12 series championships, eight Rolex 24s, one Daytona 500 and four Indianapolis 500s.
"The Rolex 24 At Daytona is always exciting for our team, especially because it involves so many of our drivers from all different series," Ganassi said. "There are so many elements out of the drivers' hands that need to come together, in order to have a shot at winning this event. That's what I love about it. You have to not only be good, but you also have to have a little bit of luck on your side to succeed in a race that lasts 24 hours."