Cup champ Johnson will race Rolex 24 at Daytona

DALLAS -- Reigning three-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson will return to GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing for the 2009 Rolex 24 at Daytona, reuniting this year's all-star lineup of Johnson and fellow champions Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty and Jimmy Vasser. The season-opening Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series race takes place at Daytona International Speedway on Jan. 24-25.

Johnson

GAINSCO's drivers finished second in the 2008 Rolex 24 and will return in 2009 with the same team and key crew personnel. The team is back with the No. 99 Pontiac Riley.

"To know the faces, the car, the equipment, the teammates, it makes those four days of the race weekend so much easier," Johnson said.

"In Grand-Am, the biggest race of the year is the first one, just like NASCAR, so the more refined you are and the more well-oiled the machine is, the better the experience. I think that might make this year my best experience ever down there."

Johnson likely will test with GAINSCO on the final day of the annual Rolex 24 Test Days, Jan. 3-5, in preparation for the Rolex 24.

"When we left Daytona last year, Bob asked if I'd like to do it again," Johnson said. "I said, 'If you guys have a spot, count me in.' So, I am excited, happy and honored to be back for a second run with the team."

Johnson also finished second in the 2005 Rolex 24 in a Howard/Boss Motorsports Pontiac Crawford.