CHRISTOPHER TO COMPETE IN ROLEX 24 AT
DAYTONA
Second Time In Three Years
Modified Driver In Endurance Event
Ted Christopher has never been shy about driving anything with wheels.
So it’s no surprise the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour veteran jumped at
the chance to run in the 2008 Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Christopher is one of three drivers currently committed to
take the wheel in the Southard Motorsports Riley-Lexus Daytona Prototype
(DP) car co-sponsored by Whelen and Loctite for the Jan. 26-27 event.
Christopher also had a ride in the 2006 event in which he and
fellow drivers finished 36th in the Brumos Racing Porsche.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Christopher said. “When I
did it last time, everything was new. Now at least I have a good concept
of Daytona – of the course itself, of the car, and of the aspect of
driving with those GT cars.”
The Plainville, Conn., driver finished fifth in the 2007
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour standings. He will team up in the Rolex 24
at Daytona with Shane Lewis of the Grand-Am Rolex Series and Bill
Lester, a veteran of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. A fourth driver
could be added at a later date.
The Rolex 24 at Daytona is an annual 24-hour endurance race
that attracts drivers from various series throughout the world. Last
year’s winner was a Riley-Lexus entry by Telmex Ganassi Racing, with
drivers Juan Pablo Montoya, Salvador Duran and Scott Pruett.
Among the other NASCAR drivers Christopher will compete
against in this year’s event are 2007 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion
Jimmie Johnson, 2007 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the
Year Montoya, A.J. Allmendinger and Kurt Busch.
The race, held entirely inside the walls of Daytona
International Speedway, uses a combined road course with portions of the
tri-oval and an infield road course.
“The biggest thing with that race is keeping it on the track
for the longest period of time until the sun comes up,” Christopher
said, “and then hopefully you’re in contention to have a good finish –
and then run it pretty hard toward the end.”
Whelen Engineering, which recently extended its title
sponsorship of the NASCAR Whelen Modified and NASCAR Whelen Southern
Modified tours through 2016, was eager to support Christopher for the
Daytona event.
“We had sponsored Teddy in this race once before, and the
opportunity came along again, so we wanted to show some support for the
Grand American Series,” said Phil Kurze, vice president of motorsports
for Whelen Engineering. “I know all the race fans – including all the
Whelen race fans – are anxious for the season to kick off, and we felt
it was a good opportunity to get some exposure and support Teddy in this
effort.”
For Christopher, the addition of the Rolex 24 at Daytona
further fills his racing calendar.
“I raced indoors last weekend up at South Windsor ( Conn. )
on dirt,” Christopher said. “This weekend, I go indoors on concrete with
a TQ midget down in New Jersey , then go to the Rolex race, then come
home before I go to Speedweeks ( Fla. ) for nine nights. So I’ve got
some fun racing coming up in the next month.”
Practice and qualifying for the 24-hour race at Daytona will
be held on Thursday, Jan. 24. The event will commence at 1:30 p.m. on
Saturday, Jan. 26 and will conclude at the same time the following day.
“I’m looking to keep asphalt in front of me, asphalt behind
me, and keep going,” Christopher said.
