ROLEX 24: And Thee Number of the Beast is Seven for 2021!

Since Thars’ only seven top flight Dpi runners in the Shrinking Violets premiere Sports Car class, where those Caddy’s still outnumber Thar Competizione…

This year see’s IMSA making many changes towards it’s Sports Car landscape. Including holding it’s traditional, mandatory Roar Before Rolex 24 3-Day test session much later in the month on January 22-24. As the test serves as thou Pre-cursor to the Weathertech SportsCar Championship's Season Opening 24 Hours of Daytona event, this year on January 30-31.

And in lieu of the ever dwindling GT Le Mans (GT LM) Tintops class, IMSA has added a new Prototypes ranck called Le Mans Prototypes 3 (LMP3) to bolster Overall Car Count. Meaning there will now be three Prototypes classes, plus the two traditional Tintops categories og GT LM and Thar “Kissing Cousin’s” GT Daytona (GTD) entrants.

IMSA has also revised it’s points scoring system, which I won’t even bother trying to explain, other than the previous race results have been multiplied by a factor of 10 along with Qualifying points changing also. As you’ll need to keep your calculator andy!

According to Racer’s Marshall Pruett, Wayback on Jan 13^th, the All Knowing sports Car Reporter claimed that Thars’ 50 entrants listed for the Roar Before and following race split fairly evenly between Prototypes and Saloons. As there’s 7 Dpi, 10 LMP2 and 7 LMP3 runners, a total of 24 Prototypes vs. 6 GT LM and 20 GTD competitors, or 26 Tinpops – giving us an almost 50-50 Split between the now five classes.

And although I prefer listening to the race via IMSA Radio with it’s lead announcer John Hindhaug & Co. As I’m Arse-sumin’ my confuzers’ back Up ‘N runnings, since I’m guessing I’ll be switching Screen Readers prgrammes before the race, Sigh! But I digress…

Presumabley Y'all can catch the first hour's television coverage on "Big NBC" a la last year’s TV Broadcast, along with multiple hours on NBC Sports. But Most Definitely Check Your local listings!

(DPi) Daytona Prototype International Class

ACURA (2)

Acura ARX-05

Engine: 3.5-litre V-6 Turbo

TEAMS:

#10) Wayne Taylor Racing

#60) Meyer Shank Racing

Arse-sumedly IndyCar Fans already know that El Capitano', nee Roger Penske Pulled Ye Pin upon his Werds’ Acura Team Penske Sports Car effort at the end of last year, as Honda and Roger decided to go in different directions. As I’ll guess that Penske is waiting to align itself with a new manufacturer for the upcoming LMDH category in 2023, which is just my edgaeMuhcated’ guess…

Thus Honda split up it’s two Acuras into single team efforts for 2021 between IndyCar’s Meyer shank Racing, who previously campaigned Thar IMSA Weathertech SportsCar GT Daytona Championship winning Acura NSX GT3 Evo’s the past two year. Along with the somewhat surprising move by Wayne Taylor, who’s been a longtime Bowtie’, nee GM, aka Cadillac runner…

Wayne Taylor Racing (WTR) will field reigning Driver’s Prototypes Co-Champion Ricky Taylor with Filipe Albuquerque as its regular season drivers. While triple Indy 500 winner HULIO', nee Helio Castroneves who won his first ever Championship title last year with Taylor will Moonlight at Daytona. And Arse-sumedly 2016 Indy 500 Cwinner Alexander Rossi who’s part of this year’s rolex 24 Quartet will be the team’s Endurance rounds Pilote.

Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) will run Multi Prototypeds champion Dane Cameron with Olivier Pla as it’s regular season HotSchues’. Whilst the Duo will be joined by Juan Pablo Montoya who won the 2019 Prototypes title alongside Cameron, will contest the Endurance rounds. With NBC Sports Colour commentator, Err Driver Analyst A.J. Allmendinger rounding out the driver’s Quartet for Daytona.

CADILLAC (4)

Cadillac DPi VR

Engine: 5.5-litre normally aspirated V-8

TEAMS:

#01) Chip Ganassi Racing

#5) JDC Miller Motorsports

Nos. 31 & 48) Action Express Racing

IndyCar diehards should also already know that Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) has ended it’s one year hiatus from Sports Car racing and will refoin the IMSA Prototype ranks with a single car Cadd-Oh-lac’ effort. Although I’ve got Zero Clue if they’re running last year’s Wayne Taylor Racing’s (WTR( Caddy prototype?

As Cheeps’ season regulars will consist of lead driver Renger van der Zande joined by former Haas Formula 1 driver Kevin Bacon’ Magnussen as a Rookie in Sports Cars.

Whilst Scotty Thee Iceman 2.0' Dixon wil Continue his Enduro' Specialist role he's previously held at WTR last year for longtime Boss thou cheeptster’, aka Chip Ganassi.

JDC Miller Motorsports, who ran a two car Cadd-Oh-lacc’ programme last year has slimmed down to just one Cadillac Dpi VR Prototyped entry this season, and I’ve got no idea who the Full season Chauffeurs of the No. 5 Mustang “Sally,” Err Sampling Caddy’ will be?

Yet making his return for another rolex 24 outing is IndyCar Driver le Hamburgular', nee SeaBass or simply Sebastain Bourdais. Who after being unceremoniously Dumped by Dale Coyne and His alphabet Soup Brigade for 2020 joined JDC Miller Motorsports Fulltime last year.

Bourdais as we All know, has now joined A.J. foyt Enterprises as it’s storied No. 14 Full season Pilote for 2021, but returns to the Sports Car team he’s well aclimated with as it’s Headliner Driver.

Former IndyCar compatriot Tristan Turbo' Vautier who got what’s become normal for Sam Schmidt, known simply as the Bump ‘N Run! Where Schmidt takes a promising Indy Lights Champion’s prize money and guaranteed Indy 500 outing before jettisoning said driver the following season, can Y’all say Oliver Askew? Returns to the Sports Car team he’s called home the past few years. While ormer 24 Heurs du Mans winner Loic Duvall will fill out the Daytona Drivers line-up, giving the “Mach 5 Mustang Sally” cockpit an All French Driver trio.

Action Express Racing (AXR) will once again be fielding just the #31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac for the entire Weathertech SportsCar Championship campaign with Pipo Derani and Felipe Nasr behind Ye Keyboard.

While reigning NASCAR Cup Champion Chase Elliot will make his Sports Car Debut at this year’s rolex 24 along with former IndyCar winner Mike "Ice-Ice, Baby!" Conway

Yet most eyes will probably be focused upon the second AXR entry sporting the familiar #48 with Seven-times NASCAR Champion Jimmy Johnson spearheading it’s Mega All Star Drivers line-up.

JJ’ (Jimmy Johnson) will be joined by 2019 Indy 500 winner Simon Pagenaud. With K-Squared', aka Kamui Kobayashi now outta wrists after winning his second Rolex time-piece last year with consecutive Rolex 24 victories aboard the #10 WTR Caddy' moving to AXR. While Mike Rocky’ rockenfeller, a past Rolex 24 and 24 Heurs du Mans race winner fills out the Driver Quartet.

MAZDA (1)

Mazda RT24P

Engine: 2.0-litre Inline-4 turbo

Team: Mazda Motorsports

Unfortunately, due to the massive Financial Downturn during the ongoing COVID 19 Pandemic, Mazda has decided to cut back to only one Factory effort entry this seasin. Parking it’s traditional second #77 Dpi entry.

Oliver Jarvis who’s always Bloody Fast! Will lead the way aboard the "Double Nickel" #55 Mazda RT24P with Co-Driver Harry Tincknell as it’s regular season Chauffeurs. While Jonathan Bomarito will see his role reduced this year to only running the endurance races.

Meanwhile, or as The Late Show’s Steven Cobert enjoys saying during his monologues, Quarantine-while’, Hya! Longtime No Fenders favourite Tristan Nunez will take up an Mazda Ambassodor role this year, while also being granted permission to find other drives outside the Dpi category. As Nunez will Co-drive the #11 Wyn autosports LMP2 entry.

 

ROLEX 24: 2021 Supporting Classes Highlights

 

Since Obviously without the other 43 Supporting Classes entrants, It would be a Gory boring race!

(LMP2) Le Mans Prototype 2 Class

Although I totally understand why IMSA has been loathe to enable these European "Second Tier" Prototypes having a legitimate shot at winning Overall vs. their Manufacturer backed top flight DPi Brethren, clearly it Ain’t Working!

Alas, the blending of Prototype categories ability to fight for Overall victory a la 'Ol Roger Penske's Porsche RS Spyder Days of Knocking Off the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) Big boyz' when ALMS was in a similar Dilemma, but I Digress...

As any Diehard sports Car afficinado knows, the LMP2 category is mandated to run the (WEC) European Spec Gibson GK428 Naturally Aspirated V-8 lump' with teams choosing between either the Uber’ dominant Oreca chassis or it’s Seester’s Ligier mount. Although Thar is a lone Dallara chassis in the mix.

So if my New & Improved, NOT! Schreen Reader “Zoey the Princess Warrior’s” reading me this right? The #20 High Class Racing entry features somebody I used to call “the Krakow Kid,” akak Robert Kubica, who last ran a one year campaign for Team willy’, aka Williams F1 in 2019, amongst his other racing exploits. And currently is a Alfa Romeo Racing Formula 1 Test/Reserve Driver along with racing in the Deutsch Touren Wagen Masters (DTM) series.

But once again, I'm most interested in how the DragonSpeed effort performs, most notably the lead #81 entry from it’s two car brace of Oreca’s, with former IndyCar Driver Ben Hanley and soon to be Sophomre IndyCar Driver at Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) Rinus VeeKay making up half of it’s driver roster. As I’m guessing it’s the Dutchmam’s Debut rolex 24 outing?

(LMP3) Le Mans Prototype 3 Class

According to the scant information gleamed, All LMP3 entries must compete with the Spec Nissan VK56VE 5.6-litre V-8 Normally Aspirated engine, which I find very Cornfuzing’ since this would be of larger cubic displacement than it’s Big Brother LMP2 entrants, Righto?

Although I did find somewhere on the Intrawods’, nee Internet that they’ll be effectively “Detuned” by the Dreaded BoP Balance of Performance measures to Slot-in slightly behind Thar LMP2 Brethren…

47 Motorsports, which is one of the two non-Ligier JS P320 chassis in the seven car LMP3 field, running a Norma Mk 30 features ex-IndyCar Driver Gabby Chaves at it’s controls. With Indy Lights driver Ryan Norman also on the Driver roll.

Riley Motorsports will enter a brace ‘O Ligier’s with it’s lead car the No. 74 featuring Arrow McLaren SP IndyCar Castoff Oliver Askew. Along with another IndyCar Refugee named Spencer Pigot, and Gar Robinson, son of former SCCA Trans Am racer George Robinson and his 74 Ranch Resort Camaroes.

(GT LM) GT Le Mans Class

According to Racer’s Marshall Pruett, this will most likely be the “Swansong” for the fiercem’ Factory backed Grand Torismo racecars, since the class has been steadily shrinking yearly. And Corvette with it’s two C8.R’s will be the only Fulltime entrant this season, along with a lone Privateer Porsche. As Booby Ruble’, nee Bobby Rahal & Co. Werks BMW M8 GTE Squad will only contest the four endurance rounds this year, while Risi Competizione will probably be doing likewise.

OPINION: Charting A New Direction for INSA GTs

(GTD) GT Daytona Class

Ladies First, El Correctomundo? Having just learned that past IndyCar Femme Fatale Thy Leggy Juan’, aka Katherine Legge, now recovered from her nasty testing accident last year will share the #88 Porsche 911 GT3 R with Female Bad Arse Christina Nielsen, giving the Team Hardpoint EBM entry a 50% Female Driver line-up.

While another former IndyCar Driver J.R. Hildebrand will join the No. 42 MTE Sport audi R8 LMS Evo line-up, returning to Day-toner’ for the first time in mearly a decade. And Nah, that Ain’t that MTV Y’all are thinking about, or was it just me falling afoul of Ye FauxNetics’ of my Screen Reader, Eh? Although J.R. might be wanting his MTV if things go sour for the Audi during the event, Hya!

Former IndyCar Drivers Ryan Briscoe and Ed Jones will make up half of the No. 63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GTE Evo’s line-up.

And Arse-sumedly many IndyCar Fans will be watching the #96 Turner Motorsports BMW M6 GT3’s performance since one of it’s drivers behind the Keyboard will be Colton Big shot’ Herta, joining it’s lead drivers Bimmer billy’, aka Bill Auberlen who currently holds the record for most major career victories in IMSA Overall with 61 to date. Whilst Auberlen’s team-mate Robby Foley will be on tap along with an unknown Aussie’ making up the Driver Quartet, as Turner makes it’s “400^th Cap” (start) with a BMW at Daytona.

Then Thars’ the massive Shake-up at what’s now simply Vasser Sullivan Racing, (VSR) as ‘Ol Top Jimmy’, aka Jimmy Vasser and James Sully’ Sullivan have split with AIM Motorsport along with a more Open Wheel Racing “Friendly” Drivers line-up. As their newest recruit is Zach Veach, who’ll run the full season aboard the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 entry.

And the #12 will feature (Townsend) T-Bell’, now just running endurance events Me Thinks? With his longtime Co-driver Frankie Montecalvo as Veach’s season long partner. Whilst another Andretti Autosport Indy Lights driver named Robert Megennis, whom I’m guessing is making his Rolex 24 Debut makes up the Driver Quartet at Day-Toner’.

The No. 14 entry features “Union” Jack Hawksworth and Aaron Telitz as it’s regular season Pilotes. With the Coup of signing perinial Bowtie’ Corvette HotSchue’ Ollie’ Gavin for Daytona along with current Andretti Autosport Indy Lights and future IndyCar Driver Kyle Kirkwood. As guess Thar will be an Intra-squad Scrum for Bragging Rights between the two current Mikey A’ Indy Lights Pilotes’, Eh?

And that’s just a semi short ‘N Sweet review of the 20 Strong GT entrants, with No Disrespect towards those I’ve left out, but this No Fenders tome is simply getting too long in Ye proverbial Tooth!

Although I’ll be rootin’ as usual for who’ll always be my Homeboyz’, fondly known forever as Team Seattle, even if they’re just now the Heart of Racing in that Bitchin’ #23 Aston Martin!

While the #44 Magnus Racing with Arc Angel running a Nasty Acura NSX GT3 Evo with a Stacked Driver line-up including Super Mario’, aka Mario Farnbacher and Andy “the Enforcer” Lally amongst others is definitely worth keeping an eye upon.

As Lally reportedly is the current winningest driver at Daytona, with a Mega 8 Rolex 24 victories in many different classes over the years to his credit, which I think he told the Speed Freaks recently included one Overall victory?

Along with mentioning he actually had an insane 11 Rolex wrist watches since Grand Am used to also give it’s Class champions a Rolex at season’s end! Although Lally’s been very generous by giving his Rolex’s to people in his Family and Friends as rewards for their helping him achieve his racing career. Having only kept his initial Rolex time piece for himself, saying what are Yuhs gonna do with eight Rolex’s?

ROLEX 24: Updated Entry List, BoP Refinements Announced - and Resources Guide

As what would 'Ol Bob Varsha say? turn U-P the Volume!

Thirty-eight entries are slated to take the Green Flag this Saturday, Jan 25th, with NBC's television coverage beginning at 10:30AM Pacific, before switching to NBC Sports, (NBCSN) along with IMSA Radio also available.

As a second LMP2 entry has scratched due to heavy crash damage during the Roar Before the Rolex test, leaving just 5 LMP2 competitors to battle for class honours.

Apparently Indianapolis 500 Specialist James Davison Done Crashed the lone Riley Mk 30/Gibson V-8 #2 Rick Ware Racing entry, which will not contest the race.

Rolex 24 Entry List Finalized

Also, the GTD #54 Black Swan Racing Porsche 911 suffered heavy impact during Thursday morning practice and is undergoing a Thrash to hopefully complete repairs in order to contest the Rolex 24, but no word on whether they'll answer "The Bell?"  

Black Swan secures replacement Car for Rolex 24

Meanwhile, I won't try explaining it all, since it seems a bit too Antiseptic for Mwah, stealing Der Heindenmeier's words regarding BoP, which stands for Balance of Performance. When IMSA Artificially tweaks each entry's "Absolute" performance to ensure close racing between each Classes discipline.

BoP Tweaks for Rolex 24 Revealed

Lastly, Y'all can peruse Racer's Resource's Guide to follow along for this weekend's epic 58th running of the vaunted Rolex 24 live from Daytona International Speedway.

As I know I'm looking forward to tuning in for copious amounts of race coverage via IMSA Radio, as it's good to hear John Hindhaugh & Companys voices once again! whilst I'll drop into NBC's TV Coverage in order to hear Leigh Diffey and presumably Professor B', aka Jon Beekhuis...

2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona Resource Guide

Whilst Qualifying for the four respective Classes took place on Thursday, with Oliver Jarvis in the #77 Mazda once again capturing the Overall Pole, but does it really matter for this 24 Hours race?

Jarvis, Mazda take Rolex 24 Pole, GT lap records Fall

ROLEX 24: Roar Before Daytona Test Hints towards Another 24hrs Sprintathon

Can the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac, winners of the 2018 Rolex 24 with it's All New Crew give JDC Miller Motorsports it's Debutante Rolex 24 victory and keep GM's winning streak intact? Photo by Cadillac Racing. (Image source: jalopnik.com)

As the Sounds 'O Musak'; Err racing motors resumes in Thee Panhandle State...

Per Tipicali, IMSA Rang in thoust New years with its traditional, mandatory Roar Before Rolex 24 3-Day test session, which reportedly saw 40 entrants participating between Jan 3-5.As the test serves as thou Pre-cursor to the Weathertech SportsCar Championship's Season Opening 24 Hours of Daytona event, this year on Jan 25-26th.

As Y'all can catch the first hour's television coverage on "Big NBC" beginning at 10:30AM Pacific, but Most Definitely Check Your local listings!

As the Pre-Roar Before Entry list comprised of 8 Big Boy Daytona Prototype International (DPi) competitors, where the Overall Winner should come from. Followed by a further 7 LMP2 "lower tier" Prototypes entries. While the Tintop Saloons ranks saw 7 of the top flight GT Le Mans (GT LM( cars listed, along with the largest category seeing a robust 18 entries in the Uber Stout GT Daytona (GTD) class.

(DPi) Daytona Prototype International Class

Arse-sumedly IndyCar Fans are Wwonderin' how Acura Team Penske will do at this year's Rolex 24? As El Capitano', nee Roger Penske's two car Armada returns intact, led by the reigning Prototypes Champions No. 6 entry of Juan Pablo Montoya and Dane Cameron, once again joined by 2019 Indy 500 winner  Simon Pagenaud.

Thee Seester' #7 Acura features HULIO', nee Helio Castroneves & Ricky Taylor at its controls, plus 2016 Indy 500 Champ Alexander Rossi, whom like Pagenaud will once again contest the endurance events.

Meanwhile The Dude', aka Bully-Ray'; Err Ryan Hunter-Reay has been announced as Mazda Team Joest's newest Endurance Specialist, racing the four longest rounds this season, i.e.; Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Petit Le Mans.

Whilst Scotty Thee Iceman 2.0' Dixon reprises his Enduro' Specialist role he's previously enjoyed  behind the Decommissioned Ford GT's now with Wayne Taylor Racing (WTR) alongside season regulars Ryan Briscoe and Renger van der Zande.

With K-Squared', aka Kamui Kobayashi looking to claim a second Rolex time-piece for his other wrist, after winning last year's Rolex 24 at the controls of the #10 Caddy' once again joining the WTR Drivers Quartet...

And Hunter-Reay picked a good chassis to race aboard, as his Co-Driver Harry Tincknell led the way aboard the "Double Nickel" #55 Mazda RT24P in the test's first session. Followed by the No. 10 WTR Cadd "Oh-lacc' and that Montoyer' Feller third aboard his #6 Acura.

As All three DPi Marques took their respective turns of being Quickest in practice with Mazda leading the majority of the test sessions, followed by Acura, when Ricky Taylor set an unofficial lap record during Sunday morning's test session. Before Cadillac finished on top of the Time Sheets.

WTR Cadillac Closes Roar as Fastest in Final Test Session

Meanwhile, former A.J. Foyt Enterprises IndyCar Driver Matheus Leist didn't begin his new Sports Car career off too brightly, when he implanted his No. 85 JDC Miller Motorsports Cadillac VR DPi Prototype's Nose into one of DayToners' Walls; YOUCH!

Leist joins JDC Miller Motorsports for Endurance Rounds

But I'm sure the talented Brazilian ex-IndyCar driver will settle down, get comfortable aboard his new racecar and quickly get up to speed!

While Sacked IndyCar Pilot Sealmeister B', le Hamburgular', SeaBass or simply Sebastain Bourdais make's his Full-season Weathertech SportsCar Championship Debut aboard the newly re-anointed No. 5 Mustang Sally; Err Sampling Caddy' with another driver seeking refuge in SportsCar-land'.

As JB', aka João Barbosa partners the Champ Car Champion Fulltime aboard the lead #5 JDC Miller/Mustang Sampling Racing entry. While former 24 Heurs du Mans winner Loic Duvall will Co-drive at Daytona.

As Bourdais unexpected Fulltime inclusion at JDC Miller sees fellow Countryman and former IndyCar compatriot Tristan Turbo' Vautier getting shuffled to Part-time Driving status, as he'll partner Leist aboard the #85 for Daytona, and hopes for more outings.

Vautier Tabbed for Daytona Drive with JDC Miller Motorsports

Hmm, where'd I put those Vautier Sunglasses 'Ol CARPETS' got at Mother Speedway for Mwah, since it's so  Bloody Damn Bright I gottz-tuh' wear shades...

With No Disrespect intended towards the other two DPi entries, ergo the #31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac with Mike "Ice-Ice, Baby!" Conway as one of its chauffeurs. Or the second #77 Mazda, which Oliver Jarvis is always Bloody Fast! And Tristan Nunez is a longtime No Fenders favourite!

(LMP2) Le Mans Prototype Class

Although I totally understand why IMSA is loathe to enable these European "Second Tier" Prototypes having a legitimate shot at winning Overall, especially since they're trying to promote Thar Manufacturer Backed top flight DPi Brethren. But still, wouldn't it add intrigue to the race a la 'Ol Roger Penske's Porsche RS Spyder Days of Knocking Off the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) Big boyz', Eh? But I Digress...

And while this categories mandated to run the (WEC) European Spec Gibson GK428 Naturally Aspirated V-8 lump', at least this year features different chassis makes, as well known Riley seeks its way back into Prototypes racing vs. the All Conquering Oreca marque.

As I'm most intrigued by the DragonSpeed effort, which continues making it's Stateside Footprint larger. With Elton Julian's IndyCar effort planning six races this season, with Ben Hanley announced for St Pete, the 34yr old Englishman will also contest the Rolex 24 behind the team's No. 81 Oreca/Gibson mount.

Hanley will be partnered by new team signing Colin Brown, who may show up in Indy Cars at some point this year? along with Sweden's HH' (Henric Hedman) and Harrison Newy, son of some Formula 1 Chassis Engineer Great named Adrian!

'RASSCAR's Rick Ware Racing, which saw owner Rick Ware as one of three NASCAR Team Owners Fined $50,000 for attempting to manipulate the regular season finishing order last year!

Makes it's Sports Car Debut in the burgeoning LMP2 class as the lone Riley Mk 30 chassis entrant with Indianapolis 500 Specialist, and current Jonathan Byrds Racing Chili Bowl racer James Davison as part of the Driver Quartet alongside Cody Ware.

NASCAR Penalizes Four Teams for Tampering with 2019 Season Results

NOTE: Upon finishing this story, and just days prior to going "Green!" I've learned that James Davison crashed the #2 Rick Ware Racing racecar and it's subsequently been pulled from the upcoming race...

Probably would be remiss to not mention 'Ol Razzle Dazzle', aka former Champ Car and perennial Sports Car Ace Ryan Dalziel, who makes up part of the fairly stout #8 Tower Motorsports by Starworks entry.

And I'm Arse-sumin' that the LMP2 Category will now only field six competitors, since the previously announce PR1 Motorsports #51 entry with its Drivers listed TBA - presumably Didn't take part in the Roar, and the team's confirmed it'll only be running one car, it's #52 at Daytona.

For the Gran Torismo' (GT) Saloon' categories, see; ROLEX 24: Roar Before Daytona Test Highlights Lamborghini Armada Chasing History at this year's Race