Saturday night’s GTLM victory for Corvette Racing at Daytona International Speedway was one of the books on multiple levels. The win by Antonio García and Jordan Taylor in the 2h40m competition was not only the first victory for the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette C8.R, but it represented the team’s 100th victory in the IMSA competition.
Garcia drove almost two hours to the end after Taylor went through a challenging opening period, with slippery tires on a wet but dry track. The Spaniard emerged from his last pit stop directly behind Earl Bamber’s Porsche and made the winning pass with 31 minutes to go, setting the fastest lap of the GTLM race on the road.
“This means a lot,” said an emotional Garcia. “Our last victory was at VIR in 2017. From then until now, you look at all the times we finished second and how many times we could have won a race.” So I am very happy for today. We fell short many times, even though we won championships. All I could think of when I crossed the line was remembering Kyle (Millay, race engineer, (former teammate) Jan Magnussen, (retired team leader) Dan Binks and us getting so close. ”
García noted that the fuel savings achieved by both drivers was essential for progress.
“Jordan did a perfect job on that. He saved one lap in his period and I saved one in my first period, ”he said. “We were going for a green race and we got to the end. We didn’t know if the Porsche would make it, and when we got out after the last stop, we knew it was going to be with us. “
Taylor attributes the team’s development since the car’s debut in the Rolex 24 to making that fuel economy possible, among other things.
“I think the free time gave the Corvette Racing guys decent time to move forward with our new C8.R,” he said. “Our fuel consumption, engine and driving ability at the start of the race was much better than the first race. Pit stops were improved as the boys were training through quarantine once they could return to the store. I am very proud to be here with Antonio for the first victory for the C8.R and the 100th victory for the team. It’s a very special day “.
Garcia agreed and added: “There was a great execution in the race and we did not make a single mistake. It really showed that we learned a lot from the Rolex 24. This was a perfect day for us with the first pole and the first victory for the Corvette C8.R. Hopefully this is the first of many. “
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