The Watch Awaits: Performance Tech Motorsports Prepared for the Rolex 24
Performance Tech Motorsports is primed to top the podium at the 58th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona fueled by its second place finish in 2019.
The No. 38 Centinel Spine ORECA LMP2 is set to make its third twice around the clock trip at Daytona International Speedway this weekend. With an eighth and second place finish under the team’s belt since joining the LMP2 class the appeal of winning has been magnified. The seasoned driver lineup, third-year title sponsor, Centinel Spine, and veteran crew bring a sense of familiarity to an event composed primarily of the unexpected pushing the team a notch above the rest.
“We have a really strong lineup this year,” Team Principal Brent O’Neill said. “Endurance racing can be one-part preparation and one-part luck. My guys have been busting their backs to make sure the car is ready and the drivers have been working nonstop to make sure they know every nook and cranny on the track. We’re going into this race overprepared to make sure we’re there at the end when the real race starts.”
The No. 38 will be piloted by Kyle Masson, Windemere, Dr. Robert Masson, Windemere, Cameron Cassels, British Columbia, and Don Yount, Dallas, Texas, all of whom are veterans to the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Kyle Masson, the youngest of the group at 22 years old has three Rolex 24 Hour starts on his resume. Masson has been a key player at Performance Tech since 2017 when the team won its first Rolex 24 Hour. He has since evolved into a bridge between past and present for his co-drivers providing tips and tricks obtained only through experience.
Driver, Dr. Robert Masson returns for his second Rolex 24 alongside his son Kyle. Robert Masson made his IMSA WeatherTech SporstsCar Championship debut one season ago at Daytona and finished an impressive second after navigating the No. 38 through treacherous rain during the night in his first race stint. Armed with meticulous racecraft and the mantra of, “showing up strong,” mentally and physically he brings an irreplaceable synergy to the team.
In conjunction with Dr. Masson, Cassels also makes his second Rolex 24 At Daytona career start. Cassels is no stranger to endurance racing winning the 2019 IMSA MICHELIN Endurance Cup with Masson and Performance Tech Motorsports. With a 2020 entry to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Cassels looks to gain momentum by kicking his endurance season off with a win.
Driver Don Yount rounds out the pack for the No. 38 prototype’s endurance lineup. Yount is new to the team but no stranger to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship paddock and endurance races. He’s raced in the last four Rolex 24 At Daytona and boasts a third finish in the PC class in 2017. His endurance race knowledge is the final piece in the team’s equation for success.
The No. 38 Centinel Spine ORECA LMP2 hits the track Thursday, Jan. 23 for the first official practice at 10:05 a.m. ET. Practice Two takes place at 12:45 p.m. followed by qualifying at 5:05 p.m. and Practice Three at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 serves as the lightest day of the event with only one practice at 9:55 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 sees all of the festivities with the driver autograph session at 10:55 a.m., the fan walk at 12:10 p.m. and driver introductions at 12:35 p.m. Finally, the green flag falls for the 58th running of the Rolex 24 Hour at Daytona at 1:35 p.m. For event details and ticket sales visit http://www.imsa.com.
To Do List
Thursday, January 23
Practice 1: 10:05-11:05 a.m. ET
Practice 2: 12:45-2:00 p.m.
Qualifying: 5:05-5:20 p.m.
Practice 3: 7:15-8:45 p.m.
Friday, January 24
Practice 4: 9:55-10:55 a.m.
Saturday, January 25
Autograph Session: 10:55-11:40 a.m.
Fan Walk: 12:10-1:14 p.m.
Driver Introduction: 12:35-12:45 p.m.
Start 58th Rolex 24 Hour at Daytona: 1:35 p.m.
Roll Film
NBC: 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET
NBCSN: 2:00-6:00 p.m.
NBC Sports Gold: 6:00-11:00 p.m.
NBCSN: 11:00-3:00 a.m.
NBC Sports Gold: 3:00-6:00 a.m.
NBCSN: 6:00-12:30 p.m.
NBC: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
The Rolex 24 At Daytona will be broadcast through its entirety on TrackPass: https://www.nbcsports.com/gold/trackpass