Rolex 24 At Daytona Questions and Attitude: Hurley's all-nighter

The No. 1 Chip Ganassi Racing BMW Riley leads the field to the green flag to start the Rolex at Daytona 24 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday.

News-Journal / Jim Tiller
Published: Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 5:04 p.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 10:23 p.m.

At what point of the race should you actually start paying attention?

If you're asking, then “never” is probably not an option – though, rest assured, many have enjoyed this event for years without ever eyeballing a pass for the lead. That said, by mid-morning on Sunday the true chase for the Rolex has taken shape. The also-rans have broken down and/or fallen back, and a handful of contenders are nursing fragile vehicles, walking on eggshells, scrambling to gain ground, and keeping a wary eye out for lapped traffic. So, yes, now is as good a time as any to start paying attention.

Where can we get a shopping cart?

What is this, Food Lion? Sorry, but shopping carts are about the only four-wheeled object you won't find inside the speedway this year -- if only because no one has thought of it. Don't be surprised, though, to see these multi-use vehicles available next year, considering the ever-growing mall of infield vendors. Imagine filling your carts with goods and trinkets during the day, and wheeling the drunks back to their campers at night.

How did Hurley Haywood manage to retire with such little fanfare?

Great question, considering his status as arguably the greatest American sports-car driver of all time. That Hurley was able to retire so quietly is a testament to Grand Am's place on the national sports scene compared to, say, NASCAR. Heck, Mark Martin's fifth retirement announcement (or is it six?) got more attention. But make no mistake, a Rolex 24 without Hurley Haywood seems strange to drivers, fans and, more than anyone, to Haywood

Five Rolex titles for Haywood?

Yes, a record that Scott Pruett is attempting to tie this weekend. But Hurley's unofficial record – his amazing eight-hour, overnight driving stint during his 1977 victory– might be more impressive than his record for victories. Legend has it that his teammates in the No. 43 Porsche Carrera 911, Dave Helmick and John Graves, chose an inopportune time to inform Hurley that they couldn't drive at night. So Hurley drove all night, essentially, and came back for another stint Sunday morning.

That's against the rules, right?


Why would someone who can't drive at night enter the Rolex?

Hurley has a more diplomatic explanation, saying that his teammates simply didn't like driving at night. But to answer the question, check out an ARCA race in a couple of weeks. Many ARCA guys can't drive during the day, but that doesn't stop 'em.


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