Riding a sports car at Daytona International Speedway was as easy as asking Bubba Wallace.
“I just texted that I need some big help after a career on road courses in the Cup Series,” Wallace said Thursday during a break from practice in the No. 23 Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO he will drive in the 2024 season opener. told. IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. “So I texted Toyota executives and told them what we needed to do to increase seat time, whatever we needed to do.”
Toyota Racing Development signed him during the offseason to participate in the Rolex 24, a support race for Daytona. The race will start Friday at 1:45 p.m. ET and will be streamed on Peacock.
Rolex 24 Viewer's Guide: 5 things to look out for at Daytona
Wallace's co-driver, who advanced to the Cup Series playoffs last year with 23XI Racing, is also from NASCAR. John Hunter Nemechek will drive the No. 42 Toyota in the Cup for Legacy Motor Club this season, while Corey Heim will be the reserve driver for the 23XI and LMC in the Cup. while returning full-time to the Truck Series. After advancing to the championship round last year.
The trio will sit together on Friday afternoon in the four-hour BMW M Endurance Challenge. The challenge has become a popular option for NASCAR prospects and rising stars.harrison burton and zane smith He won the race last year with a Ford.the event also featured Hayley Deegan and Chase Brisco.
Wallace, Heim and Nemechek will drive cars provided by Smoothie Racing, which will also be competing in the race. Toyota started the GR Cup last year..That single makeup series May also provide an opportunity for moonlight For Cup drivers looking to hone their right turns as the schedule has shifted almost 20 percent to road courses.
The sports car is lightweight and has many features not available in NASCAR (anti-lock brakes, traction control) (and allows it to enter corners deeper), but Nemechek and Wallace say it's a great choice for racing. I mentioned that it helps improve your craft.
#23: Smoothie Racing, Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO, GS: John Hunter Nemechek
John Hunter Nemechek (IMSA/Michael L. Levitt/LAT image)
“What we're used to in NASCAR doesn't necessarily apply to what we do this weekend,” Nemechek said. “I've always been told to be comfortable being uncomfortable. This has definitely forced me out of my comfort zone, so I've enjoyed it, but overall it's difficult.” We have to adjust and look at the data and figure out where we can get more speed in different corners. It's a lot of adapting, but it's a lot of fun.”
Wallace has 20 qualifications.th It's a 3.56-mile road course with 12 turns that incorporates a wide 2.5-mile oval, with 28 tracks to run. He has actively sought advice on how to improve the road course, including speaking with six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon last year. What he credits after 12th At Watkins Glen International.
“For a road course, (you) can put in a decent lap by yourself, but that's when you leave the rest of the cars out there and figure out how to pass them,” Wallace said. “We're all in the same braking zone, so it's like, 'Oh, how far do I need to go without crashing?'” That was my biggest weakness, so thinking about racecraft and how to pass. I'm looking forward to it, so I'm sorry if I've run you over, but I'm thinking about it. ”
#23: Smoothie Racing, Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO, GS: Bubba Wallace, Corey Heim, John Hunter Nemechek
The No. 23 Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO driven by three NASCAR drivers (IMSA/Jake Galstad/LAT Images).
But what really stood out to Wallace was the sports car vibe. He joked that NASCAR should allow the use of golf carts in the garage, but IMSA had many other elements that appealed to him.
“I think the culture is actually really cool,” Wallace said. “It feels like a big car event, but it just happens to be a 24-hour race. But there’s a lot we can do for the fans and make them feel like they’re part of the sport. I think it has become.”
Unlike NASCAR, purchasing an IMSA ticket gives fans access to the Daytona Garage. There, 18 manufacturers compete in four categories of the Rolex 24 (three car manufacturers participate in the Cup Series).
“For us on the NASCAR side, there's a lot to learn,” Wallace said. “It's a mind-boggling story, but NASCAR owns IMSA, so we're not going to get into it. But it's really, really cool. There are people who like cars, and they're buying their dream car. They can buy a ticket and come see the car in person and watch the race and see how they perform and get a feel for it. They can meet their favorite drivers, ask questions about them and have fun roaming around the garage.”