Sunoco Winner Lundqvist to Drive PPM Lambo in Rolex 24

Sunoco Whelen Challenge winner Linus Lundqvist will contest the Rolex 24 at Daytona with GTD squad Precision Performance Motorsports.

The BRDC Formula 3 champion scooped the prize of a fully-funded race seat given to the winner of the UK-based competition that is available to drivers in Sunoco-fueled championships.

Lundqvist, who will drive PPM’s Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo, edged out British GT runner-up Phil Keen by 3.5 points with scores tallied from finishing positions, pole positions and fastest laps throughout 2018.

Previously, the Sunoco Whelen Challenge winner has been placed in the No. 31 Action Express Racing prototype entry, however that policy has changed for the next Rolex 24 on Jan. 26-27.

“With the increasing level of competitiveness in the top class, we feel that the pressure imposed on our winner will take out the enjoyment of this, maybe, once in a lifetime experience,” said Anglo-American Oil Company managing director, Anders Hildebrand.

“[We] therefore decided for 2019 that we should place our winner in the GTD class which has a mix of Pro and Am drivers and a class that would really make our Sunoco Whelen Challenge winner shine.”

PPM team manager Sunny Voelker said it was a “massive win” to have Lundqvist on board for its first race in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The North Carolina-based squad confirmed earlier this week that it will step up to GT3 racing following a successful year with multiple cars in Lamborghini Super Trofeo.

Lundqvist is the first driver to be announced in PPM’s Daytona entry, with a full-season lineup for 2019 yet to be announced.

“I am really excited to have everything confirmed, I can’t wait to get on that plane and fly across the Atlantic to race in the States for the first time,” said the 19-year-old Swede.

“I’m super happy to be given the trust and opportunity to drive the Lamborghini GT3 Evo for Precision Performance Motorsports at Daytona.

“It will be a lot to learn considering it will be my first endurance race but I’m going to do my best and try to learn and enjoy it as much as possible.”