Action Express Racing ready for Rolex 24 At Daytona

Daytona Beach – 2010 Rolex 24 Champions Action Express Racing will look to make the long trip back to Daytona International Speedway’s victory lane on Sunday afternoon. The team made the first steps forward on that journey on Thursday by qualifying both Action Express Racing Corvette DP machines for the 51st running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Christian Fittipaldi led the Action Express Racing charge in qualifying with a fast lap time of 1:42.392-seconds in the No. 5 Corvette at Daytona International Speedway. The time will see the No. 5 Action Express Corvette DP take the green flag from the sixth row directly ahead of the sister No. 9 Action Express Corvette DP of Joao Barbosa who will start from Row 7.

“I’m very confident for the race and very happy with the car,” said Fittipaldi, who will share driving duties in the No. 5 with Brian Frisselle, Felipe Nasr and Nelson Piquet, Jr. “The car was pretty comfortable in the infield, we are still looking for more straight line speed. The team has been working very hard and it is a long race, so we will just see what happens.”

Working with the ethos of “two cars, one team,” Action Express Racing will see the two team Corvette DPs line up in close pursuit as Barbosa will open the endurance classic before handing the controls of the No. 9 machine over to his co-drivers Burt Frisselle and Mike Rockenfeller.

“We’re doing everything we can, but obviously we don’t have the speed,” said Barbosa of the qualifying run. “We’re still far away, and just need to keep working and hoping for a good race, but it’s going to be a hard one for us.”

Action Express Racing took part in a two-hour night practice Thursday evening and will participate in a final Rolex Series practice session Friday morning. The 51st Rolex 24 At Daytona is set to begin at 3:30 PM (ET) on Saturday.

Action Express Racing