Nine IndyCar drivers pose after Rolex24 practice. Left to right – Mikhail Aleshain, Simon Pagenaud, Sebastian Bourdais, Graham Rahal, Justin Wilson, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Sebastian Saavedra, Tony Kanaan and Scott Dixon. Missing from photo – Alex Tagliani, James Hinchcliffe and Ryan Briscoe. [Joe Jennings Photo]
Tony Kanaan, Memo Rojas and Scott Dixon conduct a video interview. [Joe Jennings Photo]
Graham Rahal and girl friend, drag racer Courtney Force. [Joe Jennings Photo]
Ryan Briscoe dons his helmet for Rolex24 practice. [Joe Jennings Photo]
57 champion drivers gather on stage at Daytona for a photo-op. [Joe Jennings Photo]
Daytona Beach, FL – IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon and 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan led a brace of IndyCar drivers to the Daytona International Speedway for the 52nd running of the Rolex24 at Daytona. Joining Dixon and Kanaan are Ryan Briscoe, Simon Pagenaud, Graham Rahal, James Hinchcliffe, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Sebastian Bourdais, Sebastian Saavedra, Alex Tagliani, Justin Wilson and newcomer Mikhail Aleshian.
For the IndyCar set, many of them had participated in IndyCar tests at Sebring International Raceway but their first time to compete in 2014 takes place here. In addition to the on-track action, the event closely resembles a huge reunion among some 250 contestants from various forms of racing and multiple countries.
According to Briscoe, the social side of the weekend rivals that of the racing itself. Briscoe has several great things going, to include being signed by Chevrolet to co-drive one of its sleek new Corvettes in two endurance races, being hired by Chip Ganassi Racing to be part of its four-car IndyCar team and becoming a father for the first time.
Briscoe has driven many different types of race cars but said the Corvette is a special one. “The Corvette is not just another race car; there’s something about it. You just feel proud to step inside it as it is such a beautiful machine, plus there are so many passionate Corvette fans. Fans yell out to me, ‘Hey Ryan, Go Corvette!’ There are so many people behind you because you are driving a Corvette. It makes it extra special.”
The Australian’s deal with Ganassi came about because of Dario Franchitti’s retirement, and Briscoe said he has mixed emotions about coming aboard that way. “I’ve been talking with Ganassi for more than a year but things didn’t work out until now,” he said. “I was in the car for the first time a week ago, and we had a great day getting acquainted and identifying the things that need to be done.”
Dixon and Kanaan are also part of the Ganassi team, and they are enthused with the revised line-up and looking forward to working off each other.
Said Dixon, “I am really looking forward to the new season, my new teammates and our new (Chevrolet) engines. We did one test with the new engine, and we had a smooth transition. There’s a huge change in the organization, which is an eye-opener with lots of things to learn. The engine transition is exciting and should make for an interesting year.”
Like everyone else, Dixon misses having Franchitti around but they do stay in touch. “It is going to be tough as we worked so well together,” he commented. “But it is good to have TK (Kanaan) on the team; I’ve raced against him for 12 or 13 years but never been on the same team with him. It is exciting.”
Dixon knows how difficult it will be to repeat as IndyCar champion but is up for the challenge. “Our first goal is to repeat as champion. Last year we excelled on the street and road courses, plus we had some reliability issues early-on. If we can get a better consistency we should be looking very strong again. Every year, though, there are always 10 or 12 drivers that can challenge you, but that’s what makes it fun.”
Kanaan believes his new ride with Ganassi will be a fun one, and he’s thrilled with the opportunity presented. “Every morning I recall how all that hard work has paid off. While it is a new team, I knew a lot of these people. Being close to Dario and some of the guys, we have done a lot of things together and with the Rolex24, I get to work with my engineer and crew guys, which makes it easier to get to know each other. Chris Simmons is my engineer and we raced against each other back in Indy Lights, so we are not strangers.”
Kanaan continues to enjoy the thrill of victory for his Indianapolis 500 win, and he says he never gets tired of being introduced as the 500 champion. “The trophy is in my house and every morning I walk by it, and it is a feeling that will never go away.”
Just like the others, Kanaan misses the presence of Franchitti, but says the latter is helping out as much as possible, as a driver advisor and other capacities. “We have always been close, but now we are working together.”
To the man, the IndyCar drivers feel fortunate to be invited to race at Daytona, but they know their true paydays will come once the IndyCar Series opens in St. Petersburg at the end of March and of course, they never lose track of the most important race of the year, the Indianapolis 500.
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