Rolex 24: WTR, Ford Hold Tight to Leads in Last Two Hours

Hour 19 Race Recap - 2017 Rolex 24 at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. With two hours left of 24, the IMSA WeatherTech Rolex 24 at Daytona is entering its decisive phase.

While any of the first 22 hours can create a loser, the final two or three stints usually determine the winner of this day-long endurance contest.

Teams need to strategize: when to pit, which drivers to use, whether to take ties for greater speed or double-stint and save track position. Should the team short-fill to gain track position and hope to hold it on a full final stop, or plan for a timed fill for the last stop? If a caution comes, should the car come in or stay out?

Any team with a car still running now has a chance to make the efforts of the previous 22 hours pay offand an equal chance to make all that effort pointless.

The entire race before noon on Sunday is prelude. Now the race really begins.

The #10 WTR Cadillac has been leading since the fourth hour of the race. . (Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times)

Wayne Taylor Racing Secure in the Lead

The #10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac DPi V.R has led since 6:30 Saturday evening. According to Jordan Taylor, the team has worked with the car for longer than any otger Cadillac team, which is why they have the strongest of the Cadllacs, and havwe had no mechanical problems, while the other two Cadillacsthe #5 Mustang Sampling and the #31 Whelen Engineeringhave lost time in the pits.

The #90 VisitFlorida Riley/Multimatic-Gibson ran strong in the early morning, but penalties and problems have left the car a lap down. The 2016 winner, ESM, is also a lap down. Either team could get the lap back with a caution period, and could mount a serious run for the winbut the WTR Cadillac has managed to hold them off so far.

The #66 Ford GT fights off the #62 Risi Ferrari to retain the lead in GT Le Mans. (Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times)

Ford Dominates GT Le Mans

The Ford-Ganassi team brought four cars packed with all-star driversto the rolexno one could doubt their intent, and 22 hours in, no one can question their success so far.

The #66 Ford GT has basically led from the green flag. The car has run flawlessly, the drivers and crew have made no major mistakes.

The #62 Risi Ferrari has taken a few turns at the front. The Corvettes have shown G*d speed, and always race with total dedication and professionalism. Still, the Ford GT looks like the safest bet for GTLM winner.

Its great to have allies. (Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times)

The #33 Riley Motorsports-Team AMG Mercedes leads GTD but there are many, many strong contenders. (Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times)

The #38 Performance Tech Oreca-Chevrolet has been in command of the Prototype Challenge class for most of the race.

Source: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/2216382-rolex-24-wtr-ford-hold-tight-to-leads-in-last-two-hours/