Daytona Beach, FL: Spirit of Daytona Racing has confirmed their plans to return to Grand-Am Rolex Series DP competition for 2010, beginning with the season-opener Rolex 24 at Daytona. Buddy Rice and Antonio Garcia will also return as full-time drivers for the Grand-Am season, driving the #90 Spirit of Daytona Porsche-based V8 Coyote. Rice and Garcia, 2009 Rolex 24 Champions, will be joined in this year’s twice-around-the-clock Daytona classic by NASCAR’s Paul Menard.
Menard just completed his third season in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, driving the #98 Menards Ford Fusion for Yates Racing. He also drove in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, competing in sixteen races in 2009. The Eau Claire, WI native is no stranger to Grand-Am racing, having previously competed in the series in 2002. Joining the Spirit of Daytona (then known as Flis Motorsports) for two races the in Grand-Am Series, Menard posted class wins in both events he entered. For the 2010 Rolex 24, the Spirit of Daytona #90 car will compete in the classic Menard yellow livery.
Team Owner Troy Flis is hoping to see history repeat itself, saying, “We are really looking forward to this year’s Rolex 24 and having Paul back on board with.us. Buddy and Antonio won last year’s 24 Hours at Daytona, and Paul has certainly come through for the Spirit of Daytona team in his previous Grand-Am appearances. When you combine the progress we made last season developing the car with that level of driver talent, then you definitely have Victory Lane potential.”
Menard joined Spirit of Daytona Racing for the December test days in Daytona, along with Rice and Garcia. They will return to Daytona on January 8th – 10th for the ‘Roar Before the 24’ test days in preparation for the 2010 Rolex 24 at Daytona. The Rolex 24 will take place on January 30th-31st, and is scheduled for a 3:30 PM start time.
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