For Immediate Release
January 26, 2021 – Daytona, Florida – PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports once again proved that they are the team to beat in the LMP2 category after an impressive performance all through at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 this past weekend at Daytona International Speedway. The team and defending 2020 LMP2 Champion, is heading into the 59th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona with great momentum after winning the LMP2 Motul Pole Award 100 Qualifying race this past Saturday at Daytona.
The #52 Wynns / Rain-X / Four Horsemen / Max Connect / Client Command / Valkyrie.ai AI Oreca 07 LMP2, showcased an outstanding performance all through the Roar 24 weekend, leading 2 out of the 4 sessions. For Saturday’s qualifying session, Keating took the #52 Oreca 07 LMP2 and with a time of 1:37.368 got the Pole position for the Motul Pole Award 100 qualifying race.
Drivers Mikkel Jensen and Ben Keating took part in the Motul Pole Award 100 qualifying race Sunday, which started with the track wet from a morning shower. Keating started the race and had a spin during the formation laps right before the green flag, causing a drive through penalty which set the #52 to the back of the LMP2 field. Keating along with Jensen brought the #52 Oreca 07 LMP2 all the way to the 2nd position and finally on lap 44, Jensen passed Centilar Racing’s Antonio Fuoco for the lead in the waning moments of the race, to wrap up a very exciting battle for PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports.
Now all eyes are set on the 59th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, to be held on this weekend. PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports driver lineup consisting of drivers Ben Keating, Nicolas Lapierre, Mikkel Jensen and Scott Huffaker, and a brand-new livery design showcasing the colors of the team main sponsor, Wynn’s®, Rain-X®, 4 Horsemen, Max Connect, Client Command and Valkyrie.ai will officially kick off the activities with 3 practice sessions this Thursday January 28th, followed by a 4th practice Friday January 29th. The green flag to mark the start of the 59th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona is at 3:30 P.M EST on Saturday, January 30th on NBC. For the full broadcasting schedule and more information about the Rolex 24, here.
Ben Keating
Driver
#52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Oreca 07 LMP2
“It feels good to feel good, I don’t want to discount this. However, the Roar is not what counts. I knew when I signed up with PR1 to run the car and for Scott, Mikkel, and Nico as my teammates, that we were going to have a good program. But now the important things begin. The Rolex 24 Hour win is our goal. I made several mistakes during my run in the qualifying race, and I need to learn from them.
I am happy to start up front. I am happy that everything went well on the team and with the car. But the big challenge is still in front of us. It reminds me of the Winston Churchill quote, 'Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.'"
Mikkel Jensen
Driver
#52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Oreca 07 LMP2
“It was an intense race. Ben made it a little exciting with the hectic start to the race but it made us having to push to get back up there which for sure made us learn even more! Looking back at it now, I’m happy that he didn’t give me the car in a safe P1. The pole doesn’t mean much at Daytona 24, but it was a good show and the team deserved the attention! Now, let’s get ready for the Rolex 24!”
Scott Huffaker
Driver
#52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Oreca 07 LMP2
“The team performed very well. We were fastest in two out of four practice sessions and we won the qualifying race. We still have some work to do before the race but I think we sit in a great position going into the Rolex 24.”
Nicolas Lapierre
Driver
#52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Oreca 07 LMP2
"Great result for the team! Fantastic win in a very exciting race. Even if the result doesn’t mean much in a 24 hours race, it is very good to know that the car is super competitive and the drivers are ready to fight! We made some good moves on the setup and tried different track conditions, which is always very good information to get ready for big one next weekend."
Bobby Oergel
Team Principal
#52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Oreca 07 LMP2
“I am very proud of our whole team and drivers for seeing through the approach and goals we set last Thursdays testing to prepare for the 24. In securing the pole to then secure the pole again is for sure a good feeling for everyone. We are now looking forward to a smooth 24 and to repeat this next Sunday.”
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