Mazda Promoted to Qualifying Race Pole after AXR Penalty

Mazda will lead the field to green in the Motul Pole Award 100 after the qualifying-leading No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R failed tech due to coming in under weight.

It was one of three cars, joining Wayne Taylor Racing’s No. 10 Acura ARX-05 and RWR-Eurasia’s No. 51 Ligier JS P217 Gibson, to be found to be out of compliance after the session, all of which will be moved to the back of their respective classes of Sunday’s 100-minute qualifying race.

The penalties promote the No. 55 Mazda RT24-P, which will be driven by Oliver Jarvis and Harry Tincknell in the qualifying race, to the top spot, followed by the No. 5 from JDC-Miller Motorsports, the No. 01 of Chip Ganassi Racing, and the No. 48 Action Express entry.

“I just found out we’ve been promoted to pole,” said Jarvis. “I’d rather do it on the track but that pole at Daytona is always special.

“Any pole is special but this one in particular. I love this track, such an amazing race.

“You always want to start out front and try and stay out of trouble, which is working for our program now. I think we’ve got a good race car as well, so we’re hopeful for tomorrow.

“I think we’ll be strong tomorrow but never underestimate the competition.”

The No. 31 car will start sixth followed by the No. 10 WTR Cadillac, which forfeited a fifth place qualifying result after it’s rear wing and rear bodywork were found to be out of compliance.

The No. 51 Ligier from RWR-Eurasia had qualified fifth in LMP2 in the hands of Salih Yoluc, but will now start at the back of the 10 car class after its rear wing failed tech.

The starting order for LMP3, GT Le Mans, and GT Daytona remain unchanged.

The Motul Pole Award 100 gets underway at 2:05 p.m. ET with live coverage on Trackpass on NBC Sports Gold. NBCSN will carry tape-delayed coverage beginning at 4:30 p.m.

RESULTS: Starting Grid