Thursday, January 10, 2013

NASCAR driver Marcos Ambrose to drive in Rolex 24


   NASCAR driver Marcos Ambrose will join Michael Shank Racing for the 2013 Rolex 24 At Daytona to drive the No. 60 Michael Shank Racing Ford-Riley.

    Ambrose, who impressed in testing with the team during the "Roar Before the 24" over the weekend, will supplement the driving line up of A.J. Allmendinger, Justin Wilson, John Pew, and Ozz Negri as Negri continues to heal from an off-season testing injury. The team led five of eight practice sessions during the weekend between the two team Daytona Prototype entries.

"We couldn't have been happier with how quickly Marcos gelled with everyone on this team," offered Mike Shank. "Obviously (Ambrose) was very fast in the car, but he was also great out of it. That's hugely important for a race like this - you need to have everyone pulling in the same direction. He fits that perfectly."

Michael Waltrip to run Daytona 500 for Swan Racing



   Michael Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 champion, will pilot Swan Racing's No. 30 in the Feb. 24 Daytona 500, reuniting him with former crew chief Tony Eury Jr. The race marks Swan Racing's Sprint Cup Series debut since announcing its new ownership last month.

    "I am thrilled to drive the No. 30 Toyota for Swan Racing and the chance to win a third Daytona 500," said Waltrip about the one-race deal. "Reuniting with Tony Jr. and Steve Hmiel brings back a lot of good memories and is going to create new ones."

    Waltrip will step in for the team's regular driver, David Stremme.

    "Michael is a familiar face for a lot of us here at Swan Racing," said Eury. "We know each other's habits, wants and needs on the track. We're going to Daytona to compete and hopefully we'll make a mark for Swan Racing."