DAYTONA, FL – Recently referred to as “the busiest man in motorsports” Ryan Hunter-Reay—fresh off a top-ten A1GP finish for A1 TEAM USA in New Zealand—is set to compete in this weekend’s Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Hunter-Reay has partnered with 2006 Nextel Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson, Marc Goosens, and team co-owner, Jim Matthews, in the #91 Lowe’s / Pontiac / Riley in this year’s Rolex 24 Hour.
“The Rolex Daytona 24 is a race I have wanted to compete in since before I started karting at the age of 12,” said Hunter-Reay. “There is nothing like it. I will be racing against, and with, some of the most respected names in motorsports. I couldn't ask for a better situation than to be teamed with Riley Technologies. We developed a great working relationship at last years Miller 9 Hour Endurance race and I can’t say enough about this great team. Our sights are set on a win.”
Taking time out of the Thursday practice to comment, Johnson expressed mutual admiration for his teammate: "I'm really looking forward to racing with Ryan this weekend. We have talked a lot before practice today and we have shared information. I am still kind of new to these cars so I am glad I can use Ryan as a sounding board. I think this is going to be a really fun weekend."
The Riley-Matthews Motorsports team qualified third of the 71 cars entered in this weekend’s 45th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Marc Goosens is required to start the race because he qualified the car on Thursday. A combination of Matthews, Hunter-Reay and Johnson will then follow with all drivers alternating shifts in the Pontiac throughout the 24-hour race.
“We are really looking forward to cheering on Ryan this weekend,” said A1 Team USA Owner, Rick Weidinger. “His team is lucky to have him. Communication is very important in motor sports and I am sure that Ryan, Jimmie, Marc and Jim of car 91 have shared data and had some great talks. Ryan is a very good communicator and did such a remarkable job for us last weekend at the A1GP New Zealand Race of Nations, and we are eager to get him back in our “We The People” car for an upcoming A1GP race.”
The Rolex 24 At Daytona begins at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 27 and ends at the same time on Sunday.
A1 Team USA currently holds the 11th place in A1GP standings with 21 points. Next up, TEAM USA heads to Australia for the seventh race of the season at Eastern Creek Circuit on January 4th. For more information on A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, including a schedule of the 2006/07 racing season, visit http://www.a1teamusatv.com/races.aspx
To find out more about A1 TEAM USA, please visit the team’s website at www.A1TeamUSAtv.com. Photos from the 2006/07 season can be viewed at http://www.a1teamusatv.com/photos.aspx.
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Media/Press Relations
Carrie Stewart
+ 1 305-394-8421 (USA)
PR@A1TEAMUSA.com