NASCAR Legends at the Rolex 24 at Daytona: Iconic Stock Car Drivers I’ve Photographed Competing in Sports Cars
- Brian Cleary
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
I've always been impressed by race car drivers who were able to race and win in a variety of racing equipment. Drivers like A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti and Tony Stewart who were able to win in stock cars, sports cars and Indy cars have always been favorite of mine.
At the recent test leading up to this year's Rolex 24 at Daytona, one of my assignments was to photograph Ross Chastain and Conor Zilisch conversing and hanging out in one of the IMSA team's pit stalls.
This got me to thinking about some of the NASCAR stars I have photographed over the years competing in the 24 Hours of Daytona.
I recently learned that even way back in 1966, the year of the very first 24 Hour race at Daytona which I attended as a kid with my dad, NASCAR icon Bobby Allison was on the entry list.
So, while this list is by no means comprehensive, here are a few of the NASCAR Legends at the Rolex 24 who I've photographed at the famous Daytona sports car event.
I 'll start off with A.J. Foyt who, while he is no doubt best known as an Indy Car driver, did win the Daytona 500 in 1972, and won in virtually all forms of racing over the course of his career. In 1983 Foyt, the year these photos were taken, Foyt was at the start of a streak that saw him on the podium for 4 straight years, with wins in 1983 and 1985 and second place finishes in 1984 and 1986.
In 1987 Bill Elliott teamed with Scott Pruett, Lyn St. James and Tom Gloy in a Roush Mustang to win the GTO Class at Daytona.
in 2001 NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Drove in his only Rolex 24 at Daytona, finishing fourth overall and second in the GTS class behind his Corvette team car. Earnhardt's co-drivers that year included his son, Dale Earhnhardt Jr.
These to young, versatile NASCAR stars of the NASCAR circuit teamed in a Crawford Daytona Prototype with sports car ace Andy Wallace to finish on the DP class podium, remaining in the mix for the overall victory until a late race suspension issue slowed them.
Seven-time NASCAR Champion Jeff Gordon raced twice for Wayne Taylor Racing in the Rolex 24, racing to an overall victory in the race in 2017 teamed with Ricky Taylor, Jordan Taylor and Max Angelleli.
As I said, this is a very limited list, and the entire lineup includes guys like Kyle Larson, Mark Martin, Jimmie Johnson, AJ Allmendinger, Casey Mears, Danica Patrick, Rusty Wallace and Kurt Busch to name just a few.
I guess a racer is a racer, and when theNASCAR season ends or a new one is ready to start, a real race car driver will always find some way to go fast!
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Original photography and firsthand visual history by Brian Cleary.
All images © Brian Cleary. Editorial licensing available.
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