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Dalziel And Underdog Starworks Team Take Pole Position For Rolex24

Daytona Beach, Fla. – Ryan Dalziel and his underdog Starworks Motorsport Ford Riley team shocked the Rolex Sports Car Series establishment by grabbing the pole for the 50th anniversary edition of the Rolex24 at Daytona. The Florida resident scampered around the 3.56-mile road course at speed of 126.741 miles per hour.

Not only did Dalziel score his first-career pole position but he did it in a new car that was delivered to the team nine days ago. They were the last team to take delivery of the new Riley. While the other teams have been testing and developing their cars, the Starworks Riley turned its first laps during the second round of practice today.

“I am surprised on one hand but not so on the other,” Dalziel said. “I had thought the Chevys were the cars to beat, and I think they are going to be the cars to beat. But we put together a pretty good lap and a massive amount of credit goes to Starworks and our new engineer, Steve Challis, who we are glad to be re-united with after a two-year absence. These guys have done a remarkable job. Also, a massive amount of credit goes to Riley Technologies.

“Our first practice was this afternoon but it felt pretty good. I was pretty confident coming out of it. To get the pole is very rewarding but it doesn’t mean much once the race starts. It proves to us that we have a fast car and a reliable one. I am really excited for all my teammates.”

Dalziel’s co-drivers are Venezuela natives Enzo Potolicchio and Alex Popow along with European driving stars Lucas Luhr and Allan McNish. As of now, only Dalziel has driven the car.

Max Angelelli earned the outside pole position in the SunTrust Racing Corvette with a speed of 126.590 mph.

Said the dejected driver, “I cannot hide my disappointment after we led the practice sessions all the way. I wasn’t expecting P2. I still feel our car is really good and really fast and for the 24 hour, we are the car to beat.”

Angelelli’s co-drivers are Ricky Taylor and IndyCar star Ryan Briscoe.

Third and fourth fastest were Scott Dixon in the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates BMW Riley at 126.312 and Alex Gurney in the GAINSCO/Bob Stallings corvette at 126.242 mph.

Sharing the driving duties with Dixon are Dario Franchitti, Jamie McMurray and Juan Pablo Montoya. Gurney’s teammates are Jon Fogarty and Memo Gidley.

Antonio Garcia put the Spirit of Daytona Corvette on the inside of third row and Oswaldo Negri Jr. took the outside position in the Michael Shank Racing Ford Riley.

Garcia will be racing with Oliver Gavin while Negri will race with A. J. Allmendinger, Justin Wilson and John Pew.

The Action Express Racing Corvette of Joao Barbosa, Terry Borcheller, Max Papis and J. C. France will start seventh with the second Michael Shank entry of Michael McDowell, Felipe Nasr, Jorge Concalvez and Gustavo Yacaman next in line.

The second Ganassi entry suffered engine problems prior to qualifying and did not make a qualification run along with the second Action Express car, which crashed earlier in the day. Each car will be able to start in Saturday’s feature event.

Forty-six GT entries lined up for qualifications with Andrew Davis and the legendary Brumos Racing Porsche team earning the pole with a speed of 117.210 mph.

“It was an intense session,” Davis said, who jockeyed back and forth on the timing charts during the 15-minute qualifying session. “I drove as hard as I could from the first lap out. The pole was very unexpected for us as we had struggled during practice, but this team never stops fighting. That’s the best the car has been on balance, and I was able to push hard. Since I had just missed the pole in 2006, I just kept pushing and I had a little drafting help on my quick lap.”

Joining Davis for the 24-hour race will be Leh Keen, Marc Lieb and accomplished driver Hurley Haywood.

Second fastest honors went to Jeff Segal in the new AIM Autosport Team FXDD Ferrari 458. He was just a tick of the clock behind the pole winner with a speed of 117.194 mph. “It was a real nail-biter inside the car,” Segal said. “The level of talent in this race is unbelievable. We have had a lot of help from Ferrari. There has been a lot of work put in by our team, and a lot of long nights to go with it.”

Veteran sports-car racer Andy Lally timed third fastest in the Magnus Racing Porsche at 117.160 mph.

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