DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Just before AJ Allmendinger's first driving stint in Saturday's Rolex 24 at Daytona, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series veteran admitted a win in the Michael Shank Racing Honda would be as popular and sentimental as they come.
And it was his No. 60 Honda that was out front six hours into the twice-around-the-clock event at Daytona International Speedway.
While Allmendinger awaited his driving time Saturday evening, he spoke about the extra motivation for his team -- honoring former driver Justin Wilson, who was killed competing in an IndyCar race last season.
Wilson co-drove with Allmendinger in this race five times, including 2012 when the dark horse Michael Shank team won the 50th running of the Rolex. Allmendinger and Wilson were close friends.
"When it comes to the competition side of it, everyone's pumped up," Allmendinger said before climbing into the car. "The series gave Honda a little more motor and they did their homework, it's really fast. What's different is Justin not being here."
That was a meaningful and moving theme for Allmendinger, especially this weekend at a place he would normally be spending good times with his dear friend.
"We're all pushing hard because we want to win it for Justin and in his memory," Allmendinger said. "I was doing OK until this morning when Mike Shank put up a picture on Twitter.
"I knew it would be different, I knew it would be tough. But for me this is the race I always saw (Wilson) at.
"No matter if we were racing together ... it was great to see his smiling face. It's difficult now, but it gives us a little more reason to go out there and try to get it."
Of the other three NASCAR drivers entered in the Rolex -- Nationwide Series regular Brendan Gaughan and defending Rolex champions Jamie McMurray and Kyle Larson -- only McMurray had turned in any time behind the wheel. His Chip Ganassi Ford prototype was fourth overall even following a spin and a collision with a GTLM class Corvette on a restart.
"It's so hard on those restarts to predict how hard you can push," McMurray said after climbing out of the Ganassi car. "Our car is better than I expected so we just have to get through the night."