DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Scott Pruett’s chase for the Rolex record got off to a strong start Saturday.
Pruett and his Chip Ganassi Racing teammates were leading or near the front of the field during the early stages of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Pruett started the grueling endurance race on the pole and was the fastest in the 57-car field. It was the perfect way for Pruett to begin his pursuit of Hurley Haywood’s record of five Rolex victories.
“I don’t know it we have enough for Ganassi,” fellow driver Jordan Taylor admitted.
Pruett, a five-time series champion, maneuvered the No. 01 BMW Riley around the 3.56-mile road course without any problems.
AJ Allmendinger, whose Michael Shank Racing team won the event last year, fell way behind in the first hour after breaking a left-front tie rod on the No. 60 Ford Riley. The part affected steering and suspension, and left the car seven laps back.
Fellow Daytona Prototype drivers Stephane Sarrazin, Ian James and Bruno Junqueira fell laps behind. Sarrazin had a transmission problem. James had a gearbox failure. Junqueira spun off the track.
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