Rockenfeller Returns to Spirit of Daytona for Sebring

Spirit of Daytona Racing announced Thursday that Mike Rockenfeller has been confirmed to return to the team along with full-season drivers Richard Westbrook and Michael Valiante for next weekend’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

The trio teamed up in the No. 90 VISITFLORIDA.com Corvette DP for the TUDOR season opener in the Rolex 24 At Daytona with a successful drive to fourth place and they now look to build on that success at Sebring.

“I am very excited to join the team and to be part of a great driver line up,” said Rockenfeller. “Before Daytona, I had never driven together with Richard and Michael, only against them for many years.

“But it is a new era with the new championship and I am happy to take part right from the beginning with such a great team. I also have to thank Audi big time for letting me do this, because my main job will be to try to defend my DTM title.”

Between the three drivers, they bring no small amount of experience to the historical track and fabled 12-hour event. Rockenfeller has six starts in the 12 Hours of Sebring, netting a podium finish in 2009. Westbrook brings two previous starts to the race, including his run to victory in the 2013 event.

The 2014 event will mark Valiante’s first run in Prototype machinery, having previously raced open-wheel cars on the bumpy concrete circuit.

“It is great to have Rocky (Mike Rockenfeller) back with us for Sebring,” said team owner Troy Flis. “We had a solid start to the year in Daytona, but we really didn’t have the car to compete for a win and that is the big focus for us at Sebring.

“We had a really productive test there last month and this driver line up is second to none. This is a big event for the VISITFLORIDA.COM folks and we just want to come out of these first two Florida races with a good start in the championship and hopefully a new trophy for the shop.”