News

Track:     Daytona International Speedway  
Race:      WeatherTech 240
Date:       July 4, 2020

No. 6 Acura ARX-05 DPi – Dane Cameron/Juan Pablo Montoya
Start: 4th
Overall Finish: 4th
Class Finish: 4th
Status: Running
Laps Completed: 95/95
Points: 5th (-8)

Recap:

• Juan Pablo Montoya qualified the No. 6 Acura ARX-05 DPi in the fourth starting position for the WeatherTech 240 at Daytona International Speedway, and Dane Cameron finished off the two hour and forty-minute event in that same position.
• Severe weather passed over the Daytona Beach area prior to the start of the race with lightning delaying the start by 50 minutes. As a result of the rain, the No. 6 Acura team elected to start the race on Michelin wet tires despite drying track conditions as there was still standing water in some areas.
• The intensity of this sprint race was evident on the first lap as Montoya and the No. 55 Mazda waged a spirited battel into the first turn with Montoya coming out with the third position.
• Differing fuel strategies saw the No. 6 Acura cycle in and out of the lead throughout the race as both Montoya and Cameron were able to show consistent pace.
• Cameron replaced Montoya behind the wheel on lap 52 and looked to be in contention for a podium finish before crossing the finish line in the fourth position.
• The No. 6 Acura team sits fifth in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship standings, eight points out of the lead. The next race is July 18 at Sebring (Fla.) International Raceway.

Quote:
"I thought we had a good race. The team prepared a great Acura ARX-05 today and it worked really well. We decided to start the race on the wet tires because I thought that was the safer option. There were still puddles at the ‘bus stop' and back onto the banking. We had good pace and I'm excited to go to Sebring."

No. 7 Acura ARX-05 DPi – Helio Castroneves/Ricky Taylor
Start: 1st
Overall Finish: 26th
Class Finish: 8th
Status:  Mechanical
Laps Completed: 43/95
Points: 8th (-18)

Recap: 

• The No. 7 Acura Team Penske ARX-05 DPi started today's WeatherTech 240 at Daytona International Speedway with a bang with Helio Castroneves securing the pole position, but unfortunately a mechanical issue forced the team to retire early from the event, finishing in the 26th position.
• Castroneves began the two hour and forty-minute race on Michelin wet tires as rain showers moved over the track prior to the green flag, with lightning delaying the start of the race by nearly an hour. He would relinquish the lead after being called in on lap seven to change to dry tires as the surface improved.
• The pit stop dropped the No. 7 down in the DPi running order and Castroneves was unable to make up much of the track position while dealing with a vibration – particularly under braking – and handling issues. 
• After pitting for a driver change to Ricky Taylor on lap 30, Taylor also developed a vibration that continued to worsen. He pulled onto pit lane on lap 45 where a terminal issue was discovered, forcing the team to retire from the event.
• The finish drops the No. 7 to eighth in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship standings, 18 markers out of the lead

Quote:  
"It was a great start to the day for the No. 7 Acura Team Penske ARX-05 team. Winning the pole position at Daytona is always special. I thought the car had good pace to start on the wet tires, but once we came in to put on the dry Michelins the handling just started going away, especially late in the run. The vibration started during my stint but it never really got worse. Unfortunately, when Ricky (Taylor) got in the car it was clear that it was pretty significant. Again, it's unfortunate but we will move on to Sebring. That should be an interesting race with the July heat."