Pla Completes Shank Lineup for NAEC

Olivier Pla will complete the lineup in the No. 60 Michael Shank Racing Ligier JS P2 Honda for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, alongside Ozz Negri, John Pew and AJ Allmendinger.

Additionally, he’ll join the Shank team for the remaining three rounds of the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup.

“I’m very happy to join Michael Shank Racing and to share the car with John (Pew), Ozz (Negri) and AJ (Allmendinger),” Pla said.

“It’s a very strong line up and I know this car very well. I’ve had a lot of time in the Ligier and know how capable this car is.

“I spent a little bit of time getting to know the guys at the test in Daytona last month and I think we can expect a strong result. Everybody at Michael Shank Racing has been very welcoming. I’m eager to get going and see what we can do.”

Pla had a seat fit with Shank during the November test at Daytona, when he tested one of the Ford GTs.

“Olivier Pla is absolutely in my opinion one of the top two or three guys in the world in a P2 car and specifically in this car,” Shank said. “We’re really excited to have him. He fit directly into the seat when we seat-fitted him at the November test.”

Pla was confirmed Tuesday as one of the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT drivers in the FIA World Endurance Championship, but won’t be part of Ganassi’s Rolex 24 lineup.

Instead, Pla returns to a natural chassis for him in the Onroak Automotive-built Ligier. He raced Daytona and Sebring last year in Krohn Racing’s Ligier-Judd, scoring the pole at the latter race.

This will mark Pla’s third Rolex 24 start, after also running in an OAK Racing Morgan Nissan to make his debut in 2014.