Two more open-wheel veterans, E.J. Viso and Sebastian Saavedra, have linked up with Starworks Motorsport to contend for a win in this weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway.
Viso and Saavedra, who raced for Andretti Autosport and Dragon Racing respectively in the IndyCar Series last year, will join Starworks regulars Alex Popow, Brendon Hartley, and Scott Mayer in the team’s No. 78 Dinan-powered Riley Daytona Prototype.
“It was always our intention to race in both the P and PC classes of the new series,” team owner Peter Baron said in a statement. “It was impossible for us to make the initial entry deadline for the P class, but the team worked extremely hard over the winter to ensure we’d be ready for a place when it came up.
“We have a very strong set of drivers in the 78 car with returning race winners Scott, Alex and Brendon, who have been joined by two hungry guys in E.J. and Sebastian. I’m looking forward to seeing what this driver combo can do and I’m confident that we’ll improve on our 2013 Rolex 24 results.”
At last year’s Rolex, Starworks’ No. 2 entry finished 13 laps off the pace in sixth, while its No. 8 entry bowed out after hitting the wall on Lap 441.
In his comments, Viso appeared to indicate that he’d be open to staying with Starworks as it competes in this year’s TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.
“I am very excited to start my second Daytona 24, and for a second time with Starworks,” the Venezuelan said. “I believe that the line-up we have for it is great and it’s probably one of my favorite races so far in my career.
“It is definitely one that challenges everyone; the teams, drivers and even the spectators. I am ready and really looking forward to it and, hopefully, many more races with Starworks.”
As for Saavedra, he will be making his inaugural Rolex 24 start this year. He has one GRAND-AM start to his credit, the 2012 Rolex Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“I am very excited with this last minute situation,” Saavedra said. “I would like to thank [team owner] Peter [Baron] for the invitation to join the very successful Starworks family. I am open-minded about what’s going to happen this weekend; we have a great line-up of drivers, so I am focusing on doing the best job and hopefully some watches with it.”
Popow will be pulling double-duty for Starworks during the Rolex, as he’ll also be co-driving the team’s No. 7 ORECA FLM09 Prototype Challenge car.
Last year, he and Ryan Dalziel (now driving a P2 car for Extreme Speed Motorsports) took the No. 2 Daytona Prototype to a fifth-place class finish in the Rolex Series championship. The 2013 season also saw Hartley, recently made a factory driver for Porsche, collaborate with Mayer for a Starworks win at Road America.
