FORD ECOBOOST POWERS CHIP GANASSI RACING TO VICTORY IN ROLEX 24 AT 53RD RUNNING OF DAYTONA ENDURANCE CLASSIC

January 26, 2015 by Ford

◾Ford EcoBoost® V6 engine powers winning Chip Ganassi Racing car in Daytona 24-hour endurance race, earning victory with true combination of power, endurance and fuel efficiency

◾Chip Ganassi drivers Scott Dixon, Kyle Larson, Jamie McMurray and Tony Kanaan earn Ford EcoBoost engine its first win in Rolex 24 in Daytona on Sunday

◾ With this win, Ford EcoBoost technology has captured the two most important endurance races in North America – the 2014 12 Hours of Sebring and 2015 Rolex 24

Ford's EcoBoost®engine powered Chip Ganassi Racing drivers Scott Dixon, Kyle Larson, Jamie McMurray and Tony Kanaan to victory in the grueling Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday.

This means that now, in only its second season, Ford EcoBoost technology has won the two most important endurance races in North America – the 2014 12 Hours of Sebring and the 2015 Rolex 24. The EcoBoost program has now racked up four Prototype victories overall with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, including the 2014 Long Beach and Circuit of the Americas events.

'It was a great day for Ford and a great day for Ganassi,' said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development, who accepted the manufacturer's trophy on behalf of Ford. 'We had a great car and great drivers. And, of course, we had really great power, reliability and fuel economy out of the EcoBoost engine. This is a great testament to the entire team. I couldn't be prouder of them.'

Led by Dixon, who took the first and last stints in the No. 02 Target Ford EcoBoost-Riley, the team battled through lead change after lead change in the premier Prototype class. The efficiency of EcoBoost in the closing laps of the 24-hour race led to a fuel stop strategy that helped clinch victory.

'You have to look out for the car so you have the speed in the end to compete for the win,' said Dixon. 'I can't emphasize how big of a team effort this was – it's not one person who wins this race, it's everybody involved. This weekend, everybody on the No. 02 team did their best job, and that's obviously enough to get a victory.'

Ford EcoBoost is available in every new Ford car, utility and light-duty pickup in North America beginning this year. And EcoBoost technology will continue to power race cars on the track in 2015, competing for a championship title with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates in the No. 01 Ford EcoBoost-Riley prototype. The TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season continues March 18-21 with the 2015 12 Hours of Sebring.

Photo credit: Ford
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