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Plumb-Bacardi Victorious In Continental Tire Opener

Daytona Beach, FL – Veteran sports-car racer Matt Plumb and newcomer Gianluis Bacardi drove their RumBum BMW M3 to victory in the Fresh From Florida 200, the season opener for the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge event.

The race marked the first race for new title sponsor Continental Tire.

With Plumb behind the wheel, the Rhode Island driver took the lead on the 64th circuit and led the final two laps to claim the victory. He bested Charles Espenlaub and Charles Putman in another BMW M3 by a mere .107 seconds. Changing tires in the late going proved to be a smart move for the victors.

“I believe we changed right-side tires whereas I think they stayed out. I had the sights pretty set on (Espenlaub) and we had a great car,” Plumb said. “He didn’t make it easy for me, but I didn’t expect much as far as courtesy.”

Bacardi’s success was remarkable as it was the Floridian’s first-ever professional race.

Spencer Pumpelly and Charles Martin brought their TRG Porsche to third place.

In the Street Tuner class, Lawson Aschenbach scored his second consecutive Daytona victory, and he was joined by co-driver David Thilenius. The pair drove a Honda Civic Si.

Four caution periods for 15 laps slowed the race’s average speed to 93.455 mph

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