Ganassi team announces Rolex lineup
“I think what you have is a lineup representative of what this team strives for each year, in each series– and that is contending for championships," said Team Owner Chip Ganassi of his Rolex Series entries. “Last year’s Daytona win was a big one for this team, and we think we have another great opportunity to duplicate that feat this year. We have, in the past, utilized drivers from other series to expand our Rolex 24 program, and Juan Pablo, Scott [Dixon], Dan and Salvador will complement our roster and provide us with another excellent chance of winning this race."
The Ganassi roster is an impressive group of international motor racing championship talent representing two Indianapolis 500 titles (Montoya-2000 and Wheldon-2005), three open wheel Championships (Montoya-1999, Dixon-2003 and Wheldon-2005), and two Daytona Prototype Championships (Pruett-2004 and 2006).
“Chip and his teams have worked extremely hard over the past few months with TELMEX personnel to assemble a competitive lineup which puts two Mexican drivers in a position to challenge for the Rolex 24 title," said Carlos Slim Domit of TELMEX. “Our relationship remains strong with the team, and we look forward to continued success in the Rolex Series in the season-long fight for the championship with Memo and Scott Pruett."
Daytona Prototype team anchorman Pruett returns to the Rolex 24 with a new paint scheme in the no.01 TELMEX/Target Riley along with Ganassi’s newest NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya. After a successful seven-race stock car transition period in 2006, the Formula One veteran is set to make his first career Rolex Series start before contesting the NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series seasons in the No.42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge.
Mexico City native Salvador Duran joins the duo for the Rolex 24 At Daytona in handling the driving responsibilities for the No.01 TELMEX/Target entry after recently securing two A1 GP victories for Team Mexico and winning the 2005 British Formula 3 National Class Championship.
Defending Rolex 24 At Daytona Champions Team Target return to action with the No.02 Target/TELMEX Daytona Prototype, making their third-straight Rolex 24 start with the Target Bullseye logo prominently displayed on the car– signifying they are the team to beat.
After completing 734 laps last season en route to the win, Dixon and Wheldon partner with Memo Rojas as the Mexican pilot makes his first start in the series before contesting the balance of the 2007 season with new teammate Pruett.
A former Skip Barber Dodge racewinner/series runner-up and Mexican karting champion, Rojas most recently competed in the Champ Car Atlantic Series. His racing resume also includes Mexican Formula 3, Formula Ford and Formula Renault Series.
The two Ganassi Daytona Prototypes led a total of 360 out of 734 laps in last year’s event, and ran first and second for the majority of the event before the No.01 car was relegated to the garage. The No.02 car picked up the lead at 6:29am and never looked back, marking the first win for CGRFS at the Rolex 24 in just the team’s third attempt.
2007 Chip Ganassi Racing Rolex 24 At Daytona Driver Lineup
SCOTT PRUETT (No.01 TELMEX/Target)
– 2006 Rolex Series Driver Championship Runner-up, 2006 Team Champion with series-best five wins
– 2004 Rolex Series Driver and Team Champion
– Most successful Daytona Prototype pilot ever with career records for wins (12), pole positions (9) and podium finishes (24)
JUAN PABLO MONTOYA (No.01 TELMEX/Target)
– 2003 Formula One Monaco Grand Prix winner
– 2000 Indianapolis 500 winner for Target Chip Ganassi Racing
– 1999 CART Champion for Target Chip Ganassi Racing
SALVADOR DURAN (No.01 TELMEX/Target)
– 2005 A1 GP two-time racewinner for Team Mexico
– 2005 British Formula 3 National Class Champion
– 2002 Skip Barber National Championship Runner-up and Barber Dodge Midwestern Regional Series Champion
SCOTT DIXON (No.02 Target/TELMEX)
– Defending Rolex 24 At Daytona overall winner for Target Chip Ganassi Racing
– 2003 IndyCar Champion for Target Chip Ganassi Racing
– 2000 Indy Lights Series Champion
DAN WHELDON (No.02 Target/TELMEX)
– Defending Rolex 24 At Daytona overall winner for Target Chip Ganassi Racing
– 2005 Indianapolis 500 winner
– 2005 IndyCar Champion
MEMO ROJAS (No.02 Target/TELMEX)
– 2003 Skip Barber Dodge Pro Series two-time racewinner and Championship Runner-up
– Experience in Champ Car Atlantics, Mexican Formula 3, Formula Ford 2000 and Formula Renault Series
– 1994 Mexican karting Champion