Action Express Racing driver, Pipo Derani, proved his prowess on the track by setting the fastest lap time of 1m35.217s at Daytona International Speedway’s 3.56-mile road course circuit. This outstanding performance bumped the BMW M Hybrid V8, driven by Connor De Phillippi, from the top spot. Despite De Phillippi’s impressive drive, he finished a substantial 0.377s behind Derani. The Brazilian driver’s exceptional speed was evident in the opening sector, where he was the only one to clock a sub-23s lap time of 22.991s. Laurens Vanthoor, co-driver of the No. 6 Porsche Penske 963, secured a respectable third place, trailing 0.504s behind Derani.
Christian Rasmussen, the reigning Indy NXT champion, showcased his skills by setting the fastest lap time of 1m39.674s in the LMP2 class. Rasmussen’s impressive performance earned Era Motorsport ORECA the top position. Nolan Siegel, a fellow contender for the Indy NXT title, finished 0.253s behind Rasmussen, driving for Sean Creech Motorsport Ligier. The session witnessed two incidents involving LMP2 entries. The No. 88 AF Corse ORECA spun in Turn 3 early on but managed to continue, earning a third-place finish with a difference of 0.353s. The No. 8 Tower Motorsports ORECA also spun in Turn 7, necessitating the first red flag of the day. Despite the red flag interruptions, Scott McLaughlin, the IndyCar star, achieved an eighth-place finish in his class.
Christopher Mies from Ford Multimatic Motorsports claimed the top position in the GTD Pro category, impressively securing the fastest lap time of 1m46.494s. Mies piloted the Ford Mustang GT3, which displayed remarkable speed in just its fifth lap out of 38 logged laps. James Calado, representing the No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3, closely followed Mies, finishing 0.266s behind. Jan Heylen, driving for Wright Motorsports, set the benchmark in the GTD class with the No. 120 Porsche 911 GT3 R. Heylen posted a lap time of 1m46.741s, proving the potential of this remarkable vehicle, which will also star in an upcoming F1 movie.
The recent session at Daytona International Speedway showcased thrilling races across various categories. Pipo Derani’s outstanding performance led Action Express Racing to victory in the overall category, while Christian Rasmussen marked his dominance in the LMP2 class. Christopher Mies demonstrated the capabilities of the Ford Mustang GT3 in the GTD Pro category, while Jan Heylen set an impressive lap time in the GTD class. As the race continues, spectators eagerly await more action-packed moments and unforgettable performances on the famous Daytona track.
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