Champion-Powered Corvettes Dominate 52nd Rolex 24

Champion spark plugs from Federal-Mogul Corporation powered the pole-sitter and top four finishers in the 52nd running of the prestigious Rolex 24 endurance race at Daytona International Speedway. The latest generation of Champion racing plugs were the exclusive choice of teams running Chevrolet Corvette Daytona Prototypes, which are equipped with 5.0-liter, 500-horsepower V8 engines built by Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines.

Joao Barbosa and the No. 5 Action Express Racing Corvette DP crossed the finish line just 1.461 seconds ahead of runner-up Max Angelenni and the Wayne Taylor Racing Corvette after completing 695 laps on Daytona’s 3.56-mile road course. Action Express’s Champion-powered No. 9 Corvette, driven by Brian Frisselle, finished third, and Richard Westbrook, driving Spirit of Daytona Racing’s No. 90 Corvette, was fourth. Alex Gurney and the GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Corvette started on the pole.

Barbosa, who shared driving duties with Christian Fittipaldi and Sebastien Bourdais, pulled away from Angelenni and Frisselle with less than nine minutes to go after a nearly 13-minute caution.

“The Champion-powered Corvettes pulled away from the field during the first 23 hours, so it was no surprise that they were back at the front after that nine-minute closing sprint,” said Federal-Mogul motorsports director Tim Nelson. “We are proud that Champion technology once again helped ECR engines dominate the action in one of the most grueling challenges in professional racing.”