Daytona 24: Synergy Racing Friday report

All Four Synergy Racing Entries Secure Spots on Starting Grid for Rolex 24

ALTON, Va. (February 4, 2005) -- Synergy Racing secured spots on the starting grid for all four of its entries in the Rolex 24 At Daytona during the second round of qualifying on Friday.

Synergy's Rx.com No. 8 BMW Doran JE4 will start on the inside of the 10th row with Burt Frisselle behind the wheel. He will later hand off the Rx.com Daytona Prototype to his younger brother Brian Frisselle, Englishman Mike Newton and Brazilian Tommy Erdos.

Synergy's other Daytona Prototype, the No. 86 BMW Picchio DP2 of Petyon Sellers, Steve Marshall, Archie Urciuoli and Jason Workman, will start on the outside of the 13th row with Sellers at the controls.

The team's pair of GT-class Porsches, running as part of the Team Seattle program to raise money for Seattle Children's Hospital, also firmed up their spots on the starting grid. The Kid's Country No. 81 Porsche GT3 Cup, of Mae Van Wijk, David Murry, Dave Gaylord and Rod Emory, will be on the outside of row 24 for the start of the race, while the Who's Calling No. 80 Porsche GT3 Cup, of Don Kitch Jr., Don Gagne, Chris Pallis and Don Pickering, will start on the outside of row 26.

A total of 62 cars qualified for the Rolex 24 At Daytona, which will get underway at noon on Saturday.

The Rolex 24 At Daytona is the most prestigious sports car race in North America, drawing top-name drivers from around the world and every racing discipline, including the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, the IRL IndyCar Series and Formula One.

SPEED Channel will broadcast more than 14 hours of the historic 24-hour race live from Daytona, with coverage kicking off at noon on Saturday, Feb. 5 and continuing through the first seven hours of the race. After a one-hour break, the live broadcast will resume at 8 p.m. and continue until 11 p.m. SPEED will return to the action at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 6, running through the checkered flag and victory lane celebration.

Live timing and scoring from the race will be available throughout the entire 24 hours online at www.grandamerican.com. Additional information on the Rolex 24 At Daytona, including ticket pricing and special events surrounding the race, is online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

-sr-