Ben Keating credited ‘almost perfect conditions’ towards his LMP2 pole position for the 24 Hours of Daytona, which will open the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season next weekend.
The two-time IMSA LMP2 champion surpassed his pole time from last year’s Roar Before the 24 by over two seconds.
His 1:38.501 time was set little over halfway during the 15-minute LMP2 session, as the Texan earned his first pole position of the year in United Autosports’ #2 Oreca 07.
With an average speed at 130.110 mph, Keating gave credit to the ideal track conditions in which he fought and secured his top spot in the 13-car LMP2 category.
“The track was unbelievably fast today, almost perfect conditions,” he said.
“I was shocked; I couldn’t believe how quick it was.
“When I did that lap, I didn’t expect anybody to be close and I thought we might as well pull over.
“But Nick Boulle was just a tenth of a second behind me. That speaks to the high level of competition in LMP2 this year.”
“As I look across the 2024 LMP2 field, two-thirds of the cars are really strong.
“It’s going to be an epic year, and I’m looking forward to it.”
In 2023, Keating established an unmatched margin over second place by almost one-and-a-half seconds, however this year showcased competition from the team he took pole with last year.
As only FIA Bronze-licenced drivers took part in LMP2, Keating has consistently demonstrated himself as a strong ‘amateur’ with his fifth consecutive Daytona pole, amidst the closely-matched competition.
Nevertheless, Inter Europol with PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports’ #52 Oreca fell within almost a tenth-of-a-second of Keating’s time in the hands of Nick Boulle, who was entering the Daytona 24 in LMP2 machinery for the first time.
Whilst he held previous experience in LMP2s at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the American-British driver posed a threat to Keating’s time after he set a 1:38.603 by the end.
The entire LMP2 field was covered by three seconds, although the photo finish from last year’s race stands as a reminder that LMP2 cars will race especially close around the Daytona International Speedway Road Course on 27-28 January.
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