Performance Tech Motorsports Kicks Off IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Season with Thrilling Second Place Finish at Daytona International Speedway

Daytona (Florida, United States), January 21, 2024 - Performance Tech Motorsports made a strong start to the IMSA VP SportsCar Challenge season at the iconic Daytona International Speedway by securing a podium finish in the opening round. The team showcased its prowess and experience on track, resulting in a second-place finish in Race 1 for Alex Kirby in the #7 L.A. Prep Ligier JSP320s, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive season ahead.

After qualifying third on the grid ahead of the first race, Alex Kirby wasted no time getting up to speed once the green flag was waved. He immediately sprung into action, completing two consecutive overtakes in the opening laps, putting himself in the lead of the race. He navigated the twists and turns of the track with precision and skill and continued to hold a steady advantage over the rest of the field as the clock continued to tick away. 

A full course yellow emerged with just over 15 minutes remaining, reducing the gap Kirby had established between himself and the competitor behind. As the green flag running resumed with less than 6 minutes to go, the battle for the top spot ramped up. He gave his maximum effort in the final laps, but was overtaken with one lap remaining in the race, crossing the finish line in second place. 

“I’m definitely happy with my performance here at Daytona,” said Alex Kirby. “To be on the podium here is no small feat, and the team gave me a great car that put me in a position to be able to challenge for a win. I’m hungry for more and we’ll keep pushing until we make it on to the top step!” 

Additionally, Scott Locke successfully completed his first event in the series, accumulating a great deal of knowledge and experience behind the wheel of the #38 Ligier JSP320s. 

Team Owner Brent O’Neill expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "We are definitely pleased with the way we have started off our season at Daytona. To be able to walk away with a podium finish and some hardware is a great first step. The dedication and hard work put in by our drivers and crew have paid off, and we are confident that this sets the tone for a successful campaign ahead. The level of competition in the IMSA VP SportsCar Challenge is fierce, but we are ready to take on the challenge and we will always continue to strive for success."
With a strong foundation laid at Daytona, the team is poised to build on this momentum and will be aiming to accumulate more stellar results over the course of the season.The team will return for the second round at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg from March 8th to 10th, 2024.