ECR Engines Daytona qualifying report

ECR Engines Power Four of Top-Seven Qualifiers for 2012 Rolex 24 at Daytona
Angelelli puts No. 10 Chevrolet Corvette on outside pole for 50th anniversary race

#10 SunTrust Racing Corvette DP: Max Angelelli, Ryan Briscoe, Ricky Taylor

Photo by: Eric Gilbert

WELCOME, N.C. (January 27, 2012) - ECR Engines earned four of the top seven spots during today's qualifying for the 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance race at Daytona International Speedway.

Max Angelelli drove the No. 10 SunTrust Racing Chevrolet Corvette Daytona Prototype to the second spot with a lap of 1:41:240 minutes on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn road course. The Wayne Taylor Motorsports entry was a mere 0.121-of-a-second slower than surprise pole winner Ryan Dalziel.

"The speeds of the ECR Engines cars are really good, in the dry and in the rain," said Richie Gilmore, general manager of ECR Engines. "The No. 8 car just snuck up and grabbed the pole. Everyone seems to be very excited about the new Chevrolet Corvette so, now, it's all about survival, lasting all 24 hours of the race."

The No. 99 Gainsco/Bob Stallings Racing Chevrolet Corvette, with Alex Gurney at the controls, qualified fourth with a lap of 1:41:519 minutes. The No. 90 Spirit of Daytona Racing Corvette, with Antonia Garcia driving, was fifth with a lap of 1:41:611 minutes and Joao Barbosa was seventh with a lap of 1:42:657 minutes in the Action Express Racing No. 9 Corvette. The No. 9 Action Express Chevrolet did not make a qualifying attempt and will be the 14th and final Daytona Prototype entry on the starting grid.

"I cannot hide my disappointment, obviously, leading free practice through this and I'm P2," Angelelli said. "I was not expecting P2 in the end but I still feel our car is really good and really fast. I still feel that we'll be the car to beat for the 24-hour (race)."