Weekend Round Up (Jan 20-22)

I apologize for a lack of content over the weekend. I was out of town and away from computer access for much of the weekend to attend a baptism for my niece. With that in mind, here’s a brief look at what’s happening in the racing world since Friday night.

Michael Shank Racing Wins Rolex 24: After years of trying, the Michael Schank Racing team won their first Rolex 24 at Daytona. The team, consisting of A.J. Allmendinger, Oz Negri, John Pew and Justin Wilson, fought off a hard-charging Ryan Dalziel in his Starworks Motorsports entry to win the famed event by a mere 5.2 seconds. The narrow margin of victory marked one of the closest finishes in endurance racing history. The win also gives strong momentum to the Michael Shank Racing squad as they begin the endeavor into a new field of racing: IndyCar. Full results from the Rolex 24 here.

Tracy to MSR in 2012?: Speaking of Rolex 24 winners, Michael Shank Racing, there have been strong indications that a deal to sign 22-year IndyCar veteran and 2003 CART Champion, Paul Tracy, to their IndyCar program. Tracy was in Daytona competing against MSR in Doran Racing’s DP. ““I’m trying to do a deal with Michael Shank to start an IndyCar team with himself and AJ Allmendinger,” Tracy told Speed.com’s Marshall Pruett. “We have a sponsor lined up. We need to put together an engine program this week and tie up a couple of other lose (sic) ends of some other contractual stuff, and if we can do that, then we’ll get the car put together and try to get to Sebring to test.” One obstacle facing Tracy and MSR are the sponsor connections Tracy has to Honda-Canada. MSR signed an engine contract with Lotus but, should Tracy bring Honda dollars and connections, the MSR team may be easily coaxed into signing on with Honda instead. Tracy has been on the hunt for a full time IndyCar ride since the last year of Champ Car in 2007 when he drove for Gerry Forsythe’s team.

Paul Tracy last drove full-time in 2007 for Forsythe Racing's Champ Car team. Could Tracy become MSR's driver in 2012 for his farewell tour from IndyCar racing? (Photo: Zach Wenzel)

IndyCar Teams Resume Testing, Barrichello Turns First Laps: A large group of IndyCar teams have returned to a testing regimen to prepare the new DW12s for competitive action. KV Racing, Andretti Autosport, Dreyer and Reinbold and Panther Racing have all turned laps at Sebring today with more expected to join the group this week. The test marks the first time new Andretti Autosport driver, James Hinchcliffe, dons his new GoDaddy.com colors. The one stealing the spotlight in Sebring, however, is an IndyCar rookie having only turned his first laps in an IndyCar but a few hours ago. The rookie comes highly recommended though by much of the paddock, especially Tony Kanaan. Of course, we’re talking about the most experience Formula One driver in history, Rubens Barrichello. The Brazilian is evaluating a potential run in the IndyCar series this year following his departure from WilliamsF1. Officially, the test is set only to allow Barrichello to provide his expertise feedback on the new car’s development. But many, including Barrichello, have left open the possibility to run in IndyCar.

Barrichello’s first departure from pit lane in an IndyCar was posted to KV Racing’s youtube channel and can be seen below.

Sutil Attempted Resolution with Lux: German F1 driver, Adrian Sutil, attempted to resolve the bar fight saga with Lotus Team Executive, Eric Lux, out of court it has emerged. Sutil realizes the outcome of the case largely determines what will become of his career. He acknowledged attempts to resolve the situation out of court with Lux, whom he cut with a broken glass in a Shanghai night club. The 28- year old talked to SID news agency about the severity of the situation. “I’m sorry, extremely sorry, I didn’t want it to happen,” Sutil said. The former Force India driver told SID despite appealing to Lux out of court, Lux had no interest and “wanted to destroy” Sutil. Lux received phone calls from Sutil in his efforts to apologize, but Lux never accepted the calls. “I expected him to come to Luxembourg and apologize to me. A call is not enough,” Lux testified. Sutil and Lux did discuss resolutions but none were agreed upon. Sutil claimed Lux’s demands were outlandish and involved a “very, very high amount” of money as well as Sutil’s sitting out of numerous Grands Prix.

Marco in at Starworks in Last Minute Deal

The Starworks Motorsports entry that was set to drop out of the Rolex 24 has made a revival and will be on the grid later today at the famed Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The entry was originally slated with drivers Tony Kanaan, E.J. Viso and Ryan Hunter-Reay. Due to a cut in funding, however, Viso and Kanaan were forced out of the seat and the status of the No. 2 Starworks Daytona Prototype left unknown. Speed.com’s John Dagys reported late Friday night the car will race in the twice around the clock event albeit with a new driver line-up.

Hunter-Reay remains aboard but is the only staple from the initial driver list. The entry will now consist of Hunter-Reay, Michael Valiente, Scott Mayer, Miguel Potolicchio and the surprise, last-minute addition of Marco Andretti. Marco is already in Florida for a private IndyCar test at Palm Beach Raceway and accepted the deal less than a day prior to the Rolex 24’s starting time.

The addition to the Andretti Autosport driver’s already crammed schedule means an IndyCar test Saturday morning with a banzai run to Daytona International Speedway to take his first stint in the Riley-Ford DP. Early Saturday, the 24-year old began to realize the strain that could amount. “Do they make a 40 hour energy drink,” asked Andretti via Twitter. “Going to be a long couple days but there is no better place to be than the cockpit!”

When Marco straps in for his first stint later Saturday, it will mark the first time the third-generation IndyCar driver has seen the Daytona road course (in competition) and his first time in a Daytona Prototype. Saturday’s Rolex 24 is not the first time Marco has seen the cockpit of a sports car however. In 2008, Andretti frequented the cockpit of then Andretti-Green Racing’s Acura LMP2 car in the American LeMans Series.

The Rolex 24 at Daytona kicks off at 3:30 p.m. EST live on Speed.