Roush Yates Engines kicked off the 2015 race season by powering Chip Ganassi Racing to their first Ecoboost victory in the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. Ganassi’s 02 All Star car was driven by Scott Dixon, Kyle Larson, Jamie McMurray and Tony Kanaan.
The 02 car strategized to conserve fuel, make no mistakes and execute Ganassi’s overall blueprint to bring home the victory. Dixon relieved Larson with three and a half hours remaining in the exhausting endurance race. After 24 hours, 740 laps and 2,634.4 miles the teams plan was successfully executed. This makes Ganassi the most winningest team owner in the history of the race. “It takes a team of people, it takes a team of drivers,” car owner Chip Ganassi stated. The number 2 Target/Ford EcoBoost Riley held off the defending race winner Sebastien Bourdais by 2.267 seconds in a seven-minute, 30-second dash to the finish.
With this victory Jamie McMurray joins A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti as the elite group of drivers that have won both the Daytona 500 and Rolex 24. The EcoBoost program has now accomplished four victories overall for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sebates and places Ford sixth on the all-time manufacture’s victory list for the IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.
The Ford Group VP of Global Product Development and Chief Technical Officer, Raj Nair Stated: “We had a great car and great drivers. And, of course, we had really great power, reliability and fuel economy out of the EcoBoost. It’s a great testament to the entire team.”
This win highlights Roush Yates and Ford EcoBoost technology by capturing the two most important endurance races in North America – the Rolex 24 and the 12 Hours of Sebring (2014). Ford EcoBoost technology is available in every new Ford car, utility and light-duty pickup in Norht America beginning this year.
In a post-race interview Dixon commented: “The last two days were a lot of fun in the car, everybody pulled their weight. Everybody did what they needed to do. That’s what gets you through this 24 Hours. Everybody kept the car in one piece. I can’t emphasize how big of a team effort it is.”
“After all of the hard work launching the new Ford EcoBoost Engine Platform in 2014, I am unbelievably proud to be part of this dedicated team and the success of this program.” Said John Maddox Sports Car Program Manager for Roush Yates Engines.
Ford EcoBoost technology will continue to race on the track in 2015, competing for a championship with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and the 01 Ford EcoBoost Riley protype. For more information regarding the new EcoBoost Technology, you can visit www.RoushYates.com for more information.
Roush Yates Engines would like to thank our partners Ford Racing, MAHLE Clevite, Cometic Gaskets, Del West, JE Pistons, Rottler Manufacturing, and Mitsubishi Materials U.S.A. Roush Yates relies on these products each week in all of our engines and feel they play a vital part in our success. To learn more about Roush Yates Engines please visit www.roushyates.com or call 1-877-798-RYPP.
RYE PR
