By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service
The No. 02 Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Daytona Prototype was running an extremely competitive race until brake failure in the eighth hour forced the car to the garage for repairs.
The “Star Car” piloted by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regulars Jamie McMurray and Kyle Larson and IndyCar champions Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan was vying for a second straight Rolex 24 at Daytona title before the brake pedal went to the floor with Kanaan behind the wheel.
The No. 02 lost five laps while behind the wall but the incident could have been worse. Kanaan said the team was fortunate the failure occurred in Turn 1.
“We were extremely lucky, because Turn 1 is the widest runoff area we have,” Kanaan said. “If this was going to happen, I’m glad it happened there, because the car is in one piece.”
The car didn’t stay in one piece, though. With 2 hours 50 minutes left, the brakes locked and Larson went off course into a tire barrier in the West Hairpin. Ultimately, the No. 02 finished 13th, 28 laps down to the winners.
Image: IMSA
