Hunter-Reay joins Rolex lineup

After a strong showing last week in the "Riley Daytona Test" that included all Riley Technologies-built Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 machines, the Riley-Matthews team has been busy preparing for Daytona Test Days January 4-6 in the lead up to the 46th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. After the test, the team immediately set to work in their Mooresville, NC shop on 2008 updates to the No. 91 Pontiac Riley Daytona Prototype, completing stripping the car and installing the new Riley Technologies Generation 2 bodywork to be run for the first time at Daytona.

"The factory guys worked throughout the night getting the bodywork fitted to our car," said Riley-Matthews Team Manager Ken Swan. "It is a testament to the hard work of the guys at the Riley Technologies factory that we were able to get the bodywork switched over so quickly and easily. After getting the car back from the Riley Technologies the race team mechanics took over and demonstrated their commitment by helping us meet the deadline to get the car to the wind tunnel."

Joining regular drivers Marc Goossens, Jim Matthews and previously announced Johnny O'Connell for the Rolex 24 will be Indy Racing League Rookie of the Year, Ryan Hunter-Reay. Hunter-Reay joined the team last year for the season finale in the Sunchaser 1000 at Miller Motorsports Park, helping the Riley-Matthews machine to its first ever win in Daytona Prototype competition. The open-wheel star also joined the team for last year's Rolex 24 At Daytona, the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen, and EMCO Gears Classic at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

"The entire team can not wait to have Ryan back in the car at the Daytona Test," said Riley-Matthews Team President Bill Riley. "He is always quick when he gets in the car, which was evident by his strong runs last year in our car and in the Indy Racing League. We expect Ryan to get quite a bit of seat time during the 24 Hours, so his input will be critical at the Open Test."

Riley Technologies and Riley-Matthews Motorsports will unveil the new Riley Technologies bodywork that will be available to all Riley constructed Daytona Prototypes, including the defending Rolex Series Champions GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing in the No. 99 Pontiac Riley and back-to-back Rolex 24 champions Chip Ganassi with Felix Sabates Racing and the No. 01 Lexus Riley, on January 3 at the Daytona Test Days.