Reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott will join Whelen Engineering Racing as the fourth man in the team’s Rolex 24 at Daytona line-up.
Elliott, the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliot, will team up with Pipo Derani, Felipe Nasr and Mike Conway aboard the #31 Cadillac DPi-VR. It willbe Elliott’s first time contesting the Florida endurance classic.
“The Rolex 24 is such a major event, and it’s a race that anybody across any type of motorsports really respects. I think everyone wants to win a (Rolex) watch before their career is over,” Elliott said.
“It’s something different and a completely different element of racing that I haven’t tried before,” he added. “I’m trying to branch out and be more diverse as a driver and this is another part of that experience.
“I appreciate Action Express giving me this opportunity and I am looking forward to learning and running my first Rolex 24 next month.”
Action Express fields a pair of cars in the Rolex 24, now both featuring NASCAR stars. Its second line-up is spearheaded by seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson.
Gary Nelson, Action Express team manager, explains that Elliott recently impressed the team during a simulator test session.
“Recently we were able to spend a day with Chase in the simulator, running the Dallara, Cadillac model on the Daytona road course,” Nelson said. “We were amazed at how quick Chase got up to speed, his feedback, and how easy he was to work with.
“We are very excited to work with him again next month in Daytona at the Roar and the Rolex 24.”
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