The Rolex 24 at Daytona has resumed after a stoppage of more than 90 minutes for rain. Fernando Alonso is the overall race leader.
The stoppage was the first for rain since 2004 and came after a lengthy period run under caution. Drivers complained the turns at Daytona International Speedway were too slick to continue but IMSA said it was going back to green. The series then abruptly changed its mind and brought the cars to pit road to wait out the weather.
The clock continued to run on the 24-hour endurance event during the stoppage.
It was still raining when IMSA called the drivers back to their cars, but they were sent on track under yellow. Battling changing weather conditions and attrition of the performance vehicles are major elements of this event.
Alonso and Alex Zanardi, the two biggest stars in the field, both said IMSA made the right decision to stop the race.
Zanardi called the conditions the most difficult of his driving career, which compounded his project of racing without his prosthetic legs using a steering wheel to control every aspect of the car.
The double-amputee said it was “very difficult” to maintain control of his BMW at 50 mph through corners puddled with standing water.
Team Penske’s quest to win the Rolex 24 has taken a hit with under five hours remaining.
Simon Pagenaud was driving one of the Acura DPi’s when the team picked up an issue with the car from its telemetry reading. Flames could be seen in the engine area as the crew inspected the car, which was ultimately taken to the garage.
Ricky Taylor was leading the race in the second Acura when he had to get out of the car because he wasn’t feeling well. Taylor left pit lane on a golf cart and turned the Acura over to Helio Castroneves and the driver change dropped the team to third overall.
Roger Penske watched his cars from the pit stand as he committed to staying awake for the entire 24-hour race for the second consecutive year. Penske will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Friday night and turns 82 next month. He said he desired being present for the entire race so he could participate in solving any issues that plagued his two-car program.
The issue that sent the No. 6 Acura to the garage eliminated a potential showdown between former Formula One stars Juan Pablo Montoya and Alonso for the victory. Both Penske cars have consistently raced Alonso and the Wayne Taylor Racing team for the overall race lead.
Alonso did much of the heavy lifting and twice passed the Acura’s to put his Cadillac out front.