Ford Chip Ganassi Racing will field two Prototype entries at the 2016 Rolex 24 at Daytona, the team announced Tuesday.
Sprint Cup Series regulars Jamie McMurray and Kyle Larson will wheel the No. 02 ride, along with reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon and 2004 IndyCar champion Tony Kannan. The foursome will look to defend their 2015 Rolex 24 at Daytona title.
McMurray’s 2015 victory put him in company of racing lengends Mario Andretti and AJ Foyt as the only drivers to earn both Rolex 24 at Daytona and Daytona 500 wins. This marks McMurray’s seventh Rolex 24 at Daytona race with FCGR, while this year’s event will be Larson’s third entry.
“We’re proud to have the defending Prototype Champions from last year, along with the excitement worldwide with the reintroduction of the Ford GT,” team owner Chip Ganassi said in a team release. “I think we’ve built a very strong effort for the 2016 race in the Prototype class, which gives us two more solid chances to get to Victory Lane.”
Along with seven sports car racing championship titles, Ford Chip Ganassi Racing has earned six Rolex 24 at Daytona wins and two runner-up results from 2006-2015, the greatest stretch in the race’s history. Ganassi is also the only team owner to record three consecutive Rolex 24 at Daytona victories, winning the coveted event from 2006-2008.
The 2016 Rolex 24 at Daytona will take place Jan. 30-31, beginning at 2:10 p.m. ET each day.