Siegel Replaces Soufi in Sean Creech Lineup for Rolex 24

Photo: Nolan Siegel Facebook

Nolan Siegel has replaced Danny Soufi in Sean Creech Motorsport’s LMP3 class lineup for this weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The 18-year-old Californian, who was recently confirmed for a season in INDY NXT, will join the class pole-sitting No. 33 Ligier JS P320 Nissan alongside Nico Pino, Joao Barbosa and Lance Willsey.

Soufi, who tested with the team at last weekend’s Roar Before the Rolex 24, will stand down after the team determined the 19-year-old did not have ‘sufficient track time’ to get up to speed for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener.

“We had the opportunity to test Danny last month and bring him on board as a valued member of this team,” Willsey explained.

“He did a very good job last weekend with the practice time available but in the end, the time was not sufficient to give him the chance to perform at the level we know he’s capable of, or to get up to speed with IMSA’s rules in regard to multi-class racing.

“We look forward to working with him over the next two months in anticipation of his involvement at Sebring.”

Siegel is set to drive three vastly different race cars over the course of the week.

He tested his Dallara IL-15 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Monday and on Friday will take part in the Michelin Pilot Challenge season opener as a third driver in Carbahn with Peregrine Racing’s Porsche 718 GT4 RS Clubsport.

“Thanks to Sean and to Lance for this opportunity,” said Siegel.

“The priority for me this week is getting to know the team, getting laps in the LMP3 car, and getting into the WeatherTech sessions now that all the classes are running at different speeds than last year.

“Of course, it will be a balance on Thursday and Friday, between that and the IMPC sessions and race on Friday.

“This is the first time I’ll race two different series on one weekend but I’m not the only driver doing it and I’ll have enough time to focus on both.

“This team has a great car, with two second place finishes in this race and pole last weekend.”

Team principal Sean Creech added: “Nolan brings a good deal of experience. He also knows IMSA procedures – pass arounds, class splits, all the processes that are a big part of sports car racing.

“There’s night racing, with the lights coming into the car, with the speeds of the cars around you and how the faster cars can really dive bomb into Turn 1 and the Le Mans Chicane.

“The closing speed of the GTP cars is so much faster than the LMP3 car so it’s a lot to take in, to be aware of. He has experience at Daytona in these cars and that’s huge for us.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John