Allmendinger Leads Final Practice at Daytona

The No. 60 Michael Shank Racing Ligier JS P2 Honda has completed a practice and qualifying sweep at the 53rd Rolex 24 at Daytona, following Friday’s final one-hour practice ahead of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season opener.

AJ Allemendinger led his second straight session, albeit with the slowest session leading time of the weekend at 1:40.877. Allmendinger also led Thursday’s night practice, and co-driver Ozz Negri led Thursday’s two daytime practice sessions before capturing the pole position.

The No. 02 Chip Ganassi Racing Riley-Ford and No. 5 Action Express Racing Corvette DP were second and third in the session, both in the 1:41 range.

RSR Racing led the Prototype Challenge class with Bruno Junqueira in at a 1:44.361 in the No. 11 Oreca FLM09.

The No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari F458 Italia led in GT Le Mans, with Giancarlo Fisichella setting the fastest time at 1:44.572. The No. 3 Corvette C7.R and pair of factory Porsche North America Porsche 911 RSRs were next up.

Also noteworthy in GTLM was the addition of Michael Christensen to the No. 912 Porsche 911 RSR, with the Dane out to start the session. Porsche will confirm later Friday whether Christensen will be entered in both cars.

In GT Daytona, Kuba Giermaziak took the Tully’s “Coffee Rocket” to the top of the timesheets in the No. 81 GB Autosport Porsche 911 GT America at 1:47.970. The No. 93 Riley Motorsports Dodge Viper GT3-R and No. 63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 458 Italia were next, to make three different manufacturers in the top three positions for the class – same as GTLM.

This marks the final session until Saturday’s race, which is set to go green at 2:10 p.m. ET and local time.

RESULTS: Practice 4