Daytona International Speedway: Event Preview

After an eleven week delay, due to the Covid 19 pandemic, Gradient Racing will finally make it’s IMSA Competition debut this Saturday evening at Daytona International Speedway. The Austin based squad will compete in the re-arranged season opener of the IMSA WeatherTech Sprint Cup. The two hour, forty minute race is the first of seven rounds this season utilizing the sprint format. 

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For Team Manager, Andris Laivins, running on Daytona’s 3.65 mile road course has been a primary focus of his team as the annual Rolex 24 in late January is the pinnacle of US endurance racing. “Racing our Acura NSX at Daytona has been a goal for Gradient, we just didn't realize it would be this season!  Honestly, this weekend will be a great return to the track without the pressure of being at the 24.  The chassis setup is wide open - everyone is on a harder tire than January, and the weather is much hotter.  On top of that, it looks like we're going to have rain while we get up to speed, so it's going to be more exciting than I’d probably like.”

“I am beyond excited to get back behind the wheel of our #22 Unit Nutrition Acura NSX GT3, but I am also going into Daytona with a very focused approach,” enthused Gradient’s Pro Driver, Marc Miller. “We have a big step ahead of us just getting back into the swing of things. We hope to turn some heads and come away with solid results we can build upon. Both Till and I haven't been in the car in quite some time, so getting acclimated in the short amount of time we have will be vital.” Miller is also aware that the conditions could be a significant factor as rain is likely on both days. 

With only two practice sessions prior to Saturday afternoon qualifying, it will be vital to hit the ground running. Miller’s partner, Till Bechtolsheimer is confident that team chemistry and cohesion will not be an issue this weekend. “We all raced together in World Challenge last year with this team, I’m confident it will feel like an old pair of shoes, once we get going,” the New York-based British driver explained.

This group of drivers and crew are not unfamiliar with the podium in IMSA competition at the ‘World Center of Racing’, something about which Andris Laivins is all too aware. “The last time Marc and Till competed together for me at Daytona, we ended up on the podium in GS, so it's not totally foreign.”

Practice for the IMSA WeatherTech 240 at Daytona International Speedway begins on Friday, July 3rd at 6:15pm ET with a full day of practice and qualifying on Saturday, July 4th culminating with the race at 6:10pm ET.

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You can watch the races live on the NBC Sports Network, via the IMSA Track Pass and, if you are in a territory with no TV coverage, via IMSA.com. Full audio coverage of the event is available via IMSA Radio globally as well as Satellite Radio on Sirius 216 and XM 210 in the USA. For full event coverage please follow Gradient Racing on Twitter at @GradientRacing, on Instagram at @gradientracing and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GradientRacing/.

Declan Brennan