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CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: Six-Hour Report
Corvettes work their way forward in opening hours of 2025 opener
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 25, 2025) – Corvette Racing’s contingent of Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs found their way toward the front of their respective classes in the opening phase of the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
All five Corvettes were on the lead lap of their respective classes to first race of this year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, an encouraging start to the second year of the Z06 GT3.R program.
Both of Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports’ pair of Corvettes ran in the top-three of the 15-car GTD PRO class in the first six hours of the race. Alexander Sims was as high as second in class in the No. 3 Z06 GT3.R, followed by Tommy Milner in the No. 4 sister Corvette during their opening stint.
The two yellow Corvettes were second and fourth at the six-hour mark. Nico Varrone led the charge in the No. 4 with Daniel Juncadella completing the opening driver rotation in the No. 3.
The No. 91 Trackhouse by TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R was on the GTD PRO lead lap with Shane van Gisbergen in the middle of his opening stint and running 10th. Connor Zilisch drove a double-stint to start with Ben Keating following in a two-hour triple stint.
In GTD, AWA’s No. 13 Corvette ran as high as fourth as the race went into dark to start its second season with the Z06 GT3.R. Orey Fidani started the race and was in the middle of his second time through and was 18th after six hours.
DXDT Racing’s No. 36 Corvette climbed its way up through the order in its WeatherTech Championship debut. After stints from Charlie Eastwood, Salih Yoluc and Alec Udell to start, Pipo Derani was just outside the top-10 in 12th place but also on the lead lap.
CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R DRIVER QUOTES
ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: "It was pretty standard racing out there. In the first couple of stints at Daytona, you want to take it easy and start to get a feel in terms of where we're strong and where our Corvettes are working well around the track so we can build a picture of later in the race."
Avoiding an opening-lap spin by a P2 car...
"I was being told to go outside by my engineer. He could see the screen at the moment, and I was like, 'Nope, don't think so!' at the last minute. But thankfully all was safe for everyone."
TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: "Early on it was pretty uneventful, which was good. It looked like most of the field there at the start was nose-to-tail. Even after the pit stop cycle, it seemed like most of the GTD PRO field was still pretty close together. I just followed Simsy around for awhile and did some racing a little bit toward the end, but so far so good."
NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “All good so far. Car is doing well. We’re trying to not take any risk and not do too many crazy things. It’s easy to kind of get mixed up in GTD stuff which is unnecessary, but so far so good. Car feels great, so let’s try and make it to the end. Some of the others cars, I mean the Lambo, is incredibly quick. That’s going to be tough. I think they already had some issue, so let’s hope they have some more. Then we’ll see what happens later in the race.”
On tire degradation versus other cars.
“To be honest, I don’t know about the others, but these tires now, did qualifying, ten laps, and a double-stint. If the car feels like that with those tires on, I’d sign for it. It’s all good.”
CONNOR ZILISCH, NO. 91 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It was good. We just got a drive-through as I got out of the car for pit protocol which puts us back a little bit. The car hangs on really well through the double stint. We lack a little bit of raw pace, but I think we make it back on the long runs. It’s going to evolve a lot through the day and night. We’ve got definitely some work to be made and some ground to be made up ahead of us, but it’s not a bad start. It’s early, so anything can happen.”
You had to avoid a spinning car on the opening lap….
“Yeah, the LMP2 for me on Lap 1, and then one was passing me in Turn 4 one lap in. It came from way back. It was a bit sketchy. Between the GTD cars, we’re all just in a line in the draft until the prototypes caught us and we got split up a little bit. Pretty calm so far.”
Are you having more fun considering your teammates with pretty big personalities? What’s it been like to have Scott McLaughlin and Shane van Gisbergen as teammates?
“It’s been really good to have Scott (McLaughlin), SVG and Ben (Keating) even. Ben’s got some character and a lot of experience in this sport, so it’s been really cool to learn from all those guys. We’ve definitely had a lot of fun together racing. They’re teaching me a lot which is super beneficial for me. It’s not often you get to team up with a team like this and learn from guys like that. I’ve been very fortunate to have all them supporting me and pushing me in the right direction, and keeping our team straight. Shane’s obviously done this race in GT cars a lot before and has a good bit of experience. We’ve been definitely learning on him to kind of ask where you think we are and how do you think we’re doing. He definitely understands GT racing a bit more than me and Scott, but Ben and Shane definitely have a ton of experience and it’s been a lot of fun learning from those guys and hanging out with them off track as well.”
Is there anything fun you’re learning or they’re teaching you?
“Majority of good things. I’ve definitely learned some Kiwi slang that I probably didn’t need to know that I know now.”
Do you feel like you’re being a little bit of a Freshman being hazed by them?
“I said that before. Yeah, it’s fun though. I bring them coffee in the morning, and we all have a laugh together. It’s been really cool to have them picking on me at times, but they feel like big brothers to me and that’s been really cool.”
LARS KERN, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: "No issues. The car is running perfectly. I feel like we are in a really good position at this point. I basically double-stinted the tires and we still had good pace at the end. So the car feels really, really good. It's enjoyable. always gets wild at the restarts but you have to keep your head down and relax because we know the car has pace throughout the stint to move up the order."
MARVIN KIRCHHÖFER, NO. 13 AWA CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It was great. Honestly, AWA, I think we did a good job as a team. The car, our Corvette, honestly, we’re feeling good out there. I think we’ve got some good pace. We’re not as strongest on the straight, I’ve got to say, which makes overtaking quite hard, but I think on the pace-side, we are very competitive. But we’re only in around four hours into the race. A bit of the race is done but still a long way to go. We’ve just got to keep it clean. I’m enjoying my time. Honestly, I’m really enjoying being out there, enjoying the race, enjoying being in Daytona.”
Close calls on track?
“Well there’s some guys there I think they believe it’s like the last lap of the race, so they make your life quite difficult to get past them. Had a few nice overtakes into the Bus Stop around the outside of the Ferrari. We all love to pass a Ferrari on the outside, so that was good. Not bad, just mainly fun, and just have to keep it nicely together now for the rest of the race.”
ALEC UDELL, NO. 36 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “The car felt pretty good. I feel like we were moving forward a bit. There was a lot of energy saving trying to maximize the amount of time that we can spend on the racetrack. So it's a little bit of balance of if there is an opportunity to make a pass, push and try to get past that car in front of you. But you're also trying to keep in the draft of another car so you can get that top speed because that's worth a lot here at Daytona."
SALIH YOLUC, NO. 36 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “The car felt nice to be honest. It’s just for some reason because of straight-line speed issues, it was a bit difficult to race others. But all in all it was a great stint.”
Ryan Smith
Judy Kouba Dominick
CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: Six-Hour Report
Corvettes work their way forward in opening hours of 2025 opener
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 25, 2025) – Corvette Racing’s contingent of Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs found their way toward the front of their respective classes in the opening phase of the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
All five Corvettes were on the lead lap of their respective classes to first race of this year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, an encouraging start to the second year of the Z06 GT3.R program.
Both of Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports’ pair of Corvettes ran in the top-three of the 15-car GTD PRO class in the first six hours of the race. Alexander Sims was as high as second in class in the No. 3 Z06 GT3.R, followed by Tommy Milner in the No. 4 sister Corvette during their opening stint.
The two yellow Corvettes were second and fourth at the six-hour mark. Nico Varrone led the charge in the No. 4 with Daniel Juncadella completing the opening driver rotation in the No. 3.
The No. 91 Trackhouse by TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R was on the GTD PRO lead lap with Shane van Gisbergen in the middle of his opening stint and running 10th. Connor Zilisch drove a double-stint to start with Ben Keating following in a two-hour triple stint.
In GTD, AWA’s No. 13 Corvette ran as high as fourth as the race went into dark to start its second season with the Z06 GT3.R. Orey Fidani started the race and was in the middle of his second time through and was 18th after six hours.
DXDT Racing’s No. 36 Corvette climbed its way up through the order in its WeatherTech Championship debut. After stints from Charlie Eastwood, Salih Yoluc and Alec Udell to start, Pipo Derani was just outside the top-10 in 12th place but also on the lead lap.
CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R DRIVER QUOTES
ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: "It was pretty standard racing out there. In the first couple of stints at Daytona, you want to take it easy and start to get a feel in terms of where we're strong and where our Corvettes are working well around the track so we can build a picture of later in the race."
Avoiding an opening-lap spin by a P2 car...
"I was being told to go outside by my engineer. He could see the screen at the moment, and I was like, 'Nope, don't think so!' at the last minute. But thankfully all was safe for everyone."
TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: "Early on it was pretty uneventful, which was good. It looked like most of the field there at the start was nose-to-tail. Even after the pit stop cycle, it seemed like most of the GTD PRO field was still pretty close together. I just followed Simsy around for awhile and did some racing a little bit toward the end, but so far so good."
NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “All good so far. Car is doing well. We’re trying to not take any risk and not do too many crazy things. It’s easy to kind of get mixed up in GTD stuff which is unnecessary, but so far so good. Car feels great, so let’s try and make it to the end. Some of the others cars, I mean the Lambo, is incredibly quick. That’s going to be tough. I think they already had some issue, so let’s hope they have some more. Then we’ll see what happens later in the race.”
On tire degradation versus other cars.
“To be honest, I don’t know about the others, but these tires now, did qualifying, ten laps, and a double-stint. If the car feels like that with those tires on, I’d sign for it. It’s all good.”
CONNOR ZILISCH, NO. 91 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It was good. We just got a drive-through as I got out of the car for pit protocol which puts us back a little bit. The car hangs on really well through the double stint. We lack a little bit of raw pace, but I think we make it back on the long runs. It’s going to evolve a lot through the day and night. We’ve got definitely some work to be made and some ground to be made up ahead of us, but it’s not a bad start. It’s early, so anything can happen.”
You had to avoid a spinning car on the opening lap….
“Yeah, the LMP2 for me on Lap 1, and then one was passing me in Turn 4 one lap in. It came from way back. It was a bit sketchy. Between the GTD cars, we’re all just in a line in the draft until the prototypes caught us and we got split up a little bit. Pretty calm so far.”
Are you having more fun considering your teammates with pretty big personalities? What’s it been like to have Scott McLaughlin and Shane van Gisbergen as teammates?
“It’s been really good to have Scott (McLaughlin), SVG and Ben (Keating) even. Ben’s got some character and a lot of experience in this sport, so it’s been really cool to learn from all those guys. We’ve definitely had a lot of fun together racing. They’re teaching me a lot which is super beneficial for me. It’s not often you get to team up with a team like this and learn from guys like that. I’ve been very fortunate to have all them supporting me and pushing me in the right direction, and keeping our team straight. Shane’s obviously done this race in GT cars a lot before and has a good bit of experience. We’ve been definitely learning on him to kind of ask where you think we are and how do you think we’re doing. He definitely understands GT racing a bit more than me and Scott, but Ben and Shane definitely have a ton of experience and it’s been a lot of fun learning from those guys and hanging out with them off track as well.”
Is there anything fun you’re learning or they’re teaching you?
“Majority of good things. I’ve definitely learned some Kiwi slang that I probably didn’t need to know that I know now.”
Do you feel like you’re being a little bit of a Freshman being hazed by them?
“I said that before. Yeah, it’s fun though. I bring them coffee in the morning, and we all have a laugh together. It’s been really cool to have them picking on me at times, but they feel like big brothers to me and that’s been really cool.”
LARS KERN, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: "No issues. The car is running perfectly. I feel like we are in a really good position at this point. I basically double-stinted the tires and we still had good pace at the end. So the car feels really, really good. It's enjoyable. always gets wild at the restarts but you have to keep your head down and relax because we know the car has pace throughout the stint to move up the order."
MARVIN KIRCHHÖFER, NO. 13 AWA CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It was great. Honestly, AWA, I think we did a good job as a team. The car, our Corvette, honestly, we’re feeling good out there. I think we’ve got some good pace. We’re not as strongest on the straight, I’ve got to say, which makes overtaking quite hard, but I think on the pace-side, we are very competitive. But we’re only in around four hours into the race. A bit of the race is done but still a long way to go. We’ve just got to keep it clean. I’m enjoying my time. Honestly, I’m really enjoying being out there, enjoying the race, enjoying being in Daytona.”
Close calls on track?
“Well there’s some guys there I think they believe it’s like the last lap of the race, so they make your life quite difficult to get past them. Had a few nice overtakes into the Bus Stop around the outside of the Ferrari. We all love to pass a Ferrari on the outside, so that was good. Not bad, just mainly fun, and just have to keep it nicely together now for the rest of the race.”
ALEC UDELL, NO. 36 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “The car felt pretty good. I feel like we were moving forward a bit. There was a lot of energy saving trying to maximize the amount of time that we can spend on the racetrack. So it's a little bit of balance of if there is an opportunity to make a pass, push and try to get past that car in front of you. But you're also trying to keep in the draft of another car so you can get that top speed because that's worth a lot here at Daytona."
SALIH YOLUC, NO. 36 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “The car felt nice to be honest. It’s just for some reason because of straight-line speed issues, it was a bit difficult to race others. But all in all it was a great stint.”
Ryan Smith
Judy Kouba Dominick
