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LONG POND, PA – JUNE 01: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s for Pros Chevrolet, talk in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
Getty
LONG POND, PA – JUNE 01: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s for Pros Chevrolet, talk in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
The 59th edition of the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona is right around the corner. In the buildup to the event, the endurance series has confirmed a car entry list. Chase Elliott and Jimmie Johnson will be part of a 50-strong grid that will hit the Daytona International Speedway for practice and qualifying.
It is worth mentioning that the series has added a new LMP3 class. Along with seven LMP3 entries, there are now 10 LMP2 entries, as opposed to five. In addition to that, the GTD class has expanded to include 20 entries instead of 18.
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With regard to how the race weekend kicks off, drivers competed in four practice sessions and one qualifying session. All this takes place on January 22 and 23, while there is a qualifying race on January 24. This is the first time that a qualifying race is taking place to decide the starting grid.
Among the entrants are reigning NASCAR champion Chase Elliott and seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. It is worth mentioning that the former is making his Cup Series debut. Other confirmed racers include IndyCar driver, Alexander Rossi, Simon Pagenaud, and Scott Dixon.
Who else is joining Chase Elliott and Jimmie Johnson?
Defending champion Wayne Taylor Racing is fielding Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque on a full-time basis. However, the outfit is switching to Acura from Cadillac. Meanwhile, Meyer Shank Racing will field AJ Allmendinger and Juan Pablo Montoya for the race.
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 8, 2020; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson (48) congratulates Chase Elliott (9) as he celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Additionally, the Chip Ganassi Racing team will return to Daytona this season. The team will run with Renger van der Zande and former F1 driver Kevin Magnussen. Elliott and Johnson are teammates at Action Express Racing with separate DPi entries.
The GTLM class will sorely miss Porsche. However, there are still the likes of Corvette, BMW, and Ferrari. There is also the presence of the WeatherTech Racing team, fielding a privateer Porsche entry. Wrapping up the entrants are IndyCar’s Colton Herta and Ryan Briscoe. Finally, there is Earl Bamber and Laurens Vanthoor.
READ MORE – NASCAR Champ Chase Elliott Reveals He Began Talks with Teams for Rolex 24 “A Year Ago”
