Performance Tech Motorsports Finds Power In Numbers

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 23, 2018) -  It has been said that there is power in numbers. Team Principal Brent O'Neill and Performance Tech Motorsports are putting this theory to the test at the 56th running of The Rolex 24 At Daytona with statistics that few other teams in the paddock can compete with. 

“We’re picking up right where we left off in 2017,” O’Neill said. “We’ve added Joel Miller to our lineup, who is nothing but an asset and welcomed Centinel Spine to our team. We are trying to take our process from 2017 and emulate for 2018. This is a bigger task for us, learning a new car and getting the drives comfortable, but as long as nobody makes a mistake I think you’ll see us in the fight at the end.”

A New Factory Driver

Following a strong performance at The Roar Before the 24, the team decided to fortify their team even more so with the addition of Mazda factory driver, Joel Miller. Miller has been a factory Mazda driver since 2013 and is a Rolex 24 veteran. Miller and O'Neill connected through IMSA Prototype Challenge presented by Mazda. Miller's long-standing relationship with the team, engineering background as well as his endurance racing experience makes him a valuable asset to the defending champions. 

A New Sponsors

Go big, or go home. To back up this mantra the team has signed a new partnership with Centinel Spine. Centinel Spine develops and distributes cutting-edge products to spine surgeons worldwide. The company is completely altering lives of individuals with spinal injuries, ensuring their bodies can once again achieve optimal performance. Perhaps there is a bias here, but having revolutionary spine experts on our team makes us sleep (and race) better at night. Stay tuned.

A Championship Winning Trio

After a record-breaking 2017, Performance Tech is bringing back the boys who helped make history. James French, Kyle Masson, and Patricio O'Ward will once again join ranks for the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Championship. With O'Ward at 18 years old, followed by Masson, 19, and French rounding out the group at age 25 we can't blame you for confusing the trio with one of your favorite boy bands. However, don't let their ages fool you. Once they hit the track they’re a well-oiled fighting machine and they mean business. 

Four Hours of driving for 24 hours of racing

Fun Fact: Performance Tech is based out of Deerfield, Florida, just four hours south of Daytona International Speedway. There’s no better way to start a race weekend than with a (race) family road trip, right? Plus, who doesn’t love a little home field advantage. Comfort with the car and track is key in such a long race and with local Masson hailing from Windermere the team is sure to have familiarity on their side. 

5th Times the Charm

Though this is only Performance Techs fifth time competing in the Rolex 24, their result statistics would lead you to believe else wise. The team has finished on the podium two out of four times, with their most reason achievement being a win in 2017. This year is a tie breaker of sorts, and we can’t help but think the 5th time is the podium-scale-tipping charm. 

Roll Film

The Rolex 24 At Daytona takes place Jan. 25-28 with the green flag dropping Jan. 27 at 2:40 p.m. EST and the checkered flag following Jan. 28 at 2:40 p.m. The race will broadcast live on FOX, FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2 and FOX Sports GO through segments of the race. IMSA.tv will support the race through its entirety.

Qualifying: 4:45 p.m. ET Thursday, January 25

Green Flag: 2:40 p.m. Saturday, January 27

Checkered Flag: 2:40 p.m. Sunday, January 28

Tune in Schedule

2 – 5 p.m. FOX

5-10 p.m. FOX Sports 2

10-11 p.m. FOX Sports GO

11 p.m. – 1 a.m. FOX Sports 1

1-8 a.m. FOX Sports GO

8-10:30 a.m. – FOX Sports 1

10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. FOX Sports GO

1-3 p.m. FOX Sports 1