Adding both speed and race-winning experience to the team as it prepares for the opening round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, Change Racing has signed Justin Marks to its driver roster for the 2016 Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Marks, who earned a GT class victory in the 2009 running of the Rolex 24, will target a return to Victory Lane in the prestigious endurance challenge as the versatile racer joins Change Racing full-season drivers Spencer Pumpelly and IMSA rookie Corey Lewis to share the driving duties in the No. 16 Change Racing Lamborghini Huracán.
Having initiated a championship-winning program in IMSA Lamborghini Super Trofeo competition in 2013, Change Racing has grown its IMSA platform for 2016 to also stage a full-season campaign in the IMSA WeatherTech GTD (“GT Daytona”) Class.
With experience in NASCAR, IMSA, GRAND-AM and ARCA competition, Marks has an extensive racing resume that stretches back to his sports car racing start at just 18 years old. Marks moved his focus to stock car competition in 2006, driving for RAB Racing. That move has seen him impress in NASCAR Camping World and XFinity competition.
While building his career in the NASCAR ranks, the Charlotte-based racer has also maintained his road racing credentials with a select schedule of starts, including the big Rolex 24 at Daytona victory in 2009.
Marks’ long-running relationship with RAB Racing team principal Robby Benton continued last year for Marks as he ran a select schedule of Lamborghini Super Trofeo races for Change Racing, the sports car racing arm of RAB Racing.
“It’s really nice to be back at Daytona for the Rolex this year, especially with Change Racing and the new Lamborghini Huracán GT3,” said Marks. “I have a long, successful history with Robby Benton and I have a tremendous amount of respect for my teammates. Additionally, Lamborghini and its partners have done an incredible job designing, constructing, and developing the Huracan GT3 machine. I look forward to getting on track and getting to work.”
The 2016 IMSA WeatherTech Championship will feature new technical specifications for the GTD class as the global GT3 specification is implemented in IMSA competition and has attracted a significant level of interest from teams, fans and manufacturers. The 2016 season is the first in GTD competition for the all-new Lamborghini Huracàn GT3 machine.
“Justin (Marks) is an outstanding addition to our driver line-up,” said team principal Robby Benton. “He’s fast, knows how to win this race, and already has a great relationship with this team. So we are really happy to have him back with us. Having Justin race for us in our Super Trofeo program last season was a good way to prepare for this next chapter together. As a team, this is our first Rolex 24 so having guys that have not only experienced the race, but also won it before, that is a big help.”
Marks will get his first laps behind the wheel of the No. 16 Change Racing Lamborghini Huracán this weekend as the 2016 IMSA season breaks cover with three days of testing at Daytona International Speedway.
Change Racing PR
