For the third year, the Bear’s picking five entries likely to contend for the win in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. In 2008, his list of five captured 1, 2, and 3. Last year, they grabbed the top two steps.

Before he picked, Murphy gave away the five rools that will let his friends pick the Daytona Prototype winners, too. Not much has changed, so here they are again:

1. Riley only. The first non-Riley in 2008 was 15th. Last year, a Dallara snuck into 4th, a Crawford into 8th. That’s not enough to change the rool.
2. Teams you’ve heard of. Ganassi won its third in a row in 2008, another of Murphy’s teams,  Brumos won in 2009 – and took third, too. Ganassi was second and fifth, Penske sixth, GAINSCO seventh. The Bear didn’t mention SunTrust, which was fourth; they’ll replace the departed Penske among our picks. Murphy thinks “nicely turned out” counts for a lot. It’s a team that does that.
3. No oil billionaire drivers, no scrawny girls. No drivers with the same name as the team. No brain doctors or heart doctors. In other words, absent an LMS-type ‘gentleman driver rool’ DP is a “pro only need apply” class.

Rolex Favorites

The Bear had no trouble picking four, but his fifth turn out to be ‘a bear,’ so to speak. After Ganassi (2), GAINSCO, and Brumos, it came down to SunTrust Racing, a familiar (and successful) team (see rool 2.) but with a Dallara (rool 1.). It was the SunTrust Dallara that snuck into 4th last year, too. On the other hand, there’s Action Express Racing, a “rookie” team (that runs afoul of rool 2.), while meeting rool 3. (drivers), and rool 1. What to do? The elves told the Bear it was time to do a little research.

A little digging uncovered that Action Express is the ‘second Brumos entry,’ owned by long-time Brumos associate Bob Johnson, with a number Brumos staff and crew, and with drivers Barbosa and Borcheller. So, with good leadership, it might meet rool 2. after all. SunTrust’s 4th was a break-through for the non-Riley Dallara, three of four drivers return – Ricky Taylor (son of team owner Wayne) replaces veteran gentleman Brian Frisselle. Is that an improvement? Was last season’s Dallara break-through a trend or an aberration?

Here are Murphy’s by-the-rools five favorites for the 2010 Rolex. Last year we asked if this ‘Looked familiar?’ This year, it’s ‘Look familiar – again?’

01 Ganassi  Papis, Wilson, Pruett, Rojas – BMW / Riley
02 Ganassi  Dixon, Franchitti, Montoya, McMurray  – BMW / Riley
  9 Action Express Barbosa, Borcheller, Dalziel, Rockenfeller – Porsche / Riley
59 Brumos Donohue, Haywood, Law, Leitzinger, Matos – Porsche / Riley
99 GAINSCO   Fogarty, Gurney, Johnson, Vasser – Chevrolet / Riley

If anything, Ganassi is fielding even better driver lineups. Brumos returns without the drug felon, and with Leitzinger and Matos – a huge upgrade in talent (and sense) if a Bear ever saw one. Two-time Grand Am champion GAINSCO returns with drivers as good as anyone – intent on capturing the prize that’s eluded them. Action Express – as we’ve explained – is ‘Brumos Lite’ with a better roster of pilots.

Murphy makes SunTrust his “dark horse.” Level 5 having morphed into NPN Racing might have made the Bear’s favorites list, until Tucker, the designated rich guy, listed himself in both cars, diluting otherwise stellar driving lineups. If you can figure out which car will not get Tucker’s driving help, pick the other one.

Taking a Flyer on GT with the Bear

The Bear decided it’s time to pay some attention to the GT field. Just in time for the faux Mazdas to drop from contention, now having fallen to second tier teams and too many otherwise-employed drivers out for a weekend fling. That doesn’t rule out other bodies on the tubers – the odd BMW and Corvette look-alike.

So, what are Murphy’s GT rools?

1. At least 3 pros to carry a weekender. If so, doctors and CEOs are O.K. here.
2. Teams with experience and talent. Some of these are easy to pick out: TRG and Turner Motorsports, for instance. Others aren’t so obvious.
3. Current or former ‘factory’ drivers. They don’t go – or aren’t sent – where they have no chance.

23 Alex Job Baldwin, Burtis, Farnbacher, Pagerey, Ragginger – Porsche GT3
44 Magnus Bleekemolen, Lietz, Potter, Stanton  – Porsche GT3
67 TRG Bergmeister, Long, Neiman, van Overbeek – Porsche GT3
71 TRG Bernhard, Dumas, George, Labonte, Pumpelly – Porsche GT3
94 Turner Auberlen, Dalla Lana, Hand, Said – BMW M6

07 Godstone Ranch Corvette is the Bear’s GT dark horse. Young up-and-comer to watch is Thomas Merrill, Salinas California, Corsa Team PR1 BMW.

Murphy’s Predictions

A smaller field gets less opportunities to hit the favorites, so the good ones will mostly be there at the end. If it rains – and it seems it might – all such bets are off.

Matt Connolly Motorsports will be relevant in Matt Connolly’s mind and among the cogs.

We’ll see more of McDreamy than we do on Grey’s Anatomy.

No one will mention that Krohn Racing is in a dust-up with Lola. Krohn, who shouldn’t want to bend the Lola with few spares (and none in the pipeline) will drive anyway, and bend the Lola.

Sebring and Le Mans will disappear into a parallel universe for the duration of the coverage.

Jack Baldwin and Hurley Haywood, separated at birth in May 1948, will insist senior discounts at Hooters on International Speedway Boulevard. Well, Jack will, anyway.

With only six NASCAR drivers on hand, that story line should be a bit more subdued in this year’s telecast. Those seats are filled by current and former German factory pilots.

Kia Goes Grand Am Racing

When it came time to pick a ‘platform,’ the fast-growing manufacturer ‘passed’ on the Global Leader Green Racing to field a new factory team. It’s particularly interesting that a manufacturer intent on building a new ‘luxury’ image would consider, then reject, the American Le Mans Series.  Wouldn’t it’s market strategy have fit ALMS’ ‘World Class’ image?  Too bad it was abandoned to chase a green strategy.

Perhaps the Braselburger boss has been too busy with alternative energy mucky-mucks to waste time with automobile manufacturers. After leaving Phoenix, he went hobnobbing in Toronto chatting up “alternative fuels” this past weekend.

Follow Murphy’s tweets at http://twitter.com/Murphythebear

With the big enduro less than three weeks away, I must admit the anticipation is just overwhelming. At least I got a fix at the Bore before the 24, where I had a chance to preview some exciting new things awaiting the hundreds of thousands of fans who will be attending the Rolex 24.

Yes, there are only 29 entries (plus 13 field-filling GT3s). The DP category has been steadily declining, and even Andy F. would acknowledge a lack of diversity, let alone numbers (well, actually he probably wouldn’t). But this is part of NASCAR’s strategy.  The three main elements of this strategy are declining fields, dwindling sponsors/manufacturers, and a fancy new office building! In Braselton, they only have two-out-of-three of those elements!

NASCAR is going all-out this year to prove Grand-Am and the Rolex 24 will be the success their press releases claim. From race operations to fan activities, and everything in between, NASCAR is taking Grand-Am to new levels.

While at the test, Mark showed me the new scales to be used this year. After the debacle last year’s 24 when the Brumos car shed pounds faster than Jenny Craig during the race, they realized a new technology was in order. The new scales contain a special computer chip that detects just how important the team owner is, thus adjusting the weight as needed. Pure genius.

For fans, a new concept is the Daytona Speedway Security Department’s Gauntlet of Abuse©, in which every spectator will encounter three stimulating experiences when entering the track: First, it’s the “You Can’t Park Here” Greeting; next, the popular “You Can’t Use this Gate” argument, and finally; the “Let Me See Your Credential You Asshole” confrontation. But its all in good fun, and a unique way for fans to bond with the World Center of Abuse.  Best of all, on the way out you will receive a 10% discount for NASCAR merchandise.

In the Fan Zone, look for the new exhibit paying tribute to the third generation of France children titled “Don’t You Know Who I am.”  And the eye-opening “Why Le Mans Sucks” display will educate those who dare to even consider going to Sebring. And best of all, Scott Pruett plans on personally greeting every single spectator entering the track prior to the race.*(see note)

But those are just minor things. The big news is what NASCAR and Grand-Am bring to the track this year. Fourteen thundering DPs and a boatload of Mazda RX-8s and re-bodied Pontiacs. Is that exciting or what?  Riley-Riley-Riley-Riley-Riley for 24 Hours on a banked track surrounded by 180,000 empty grandstand seats. There is nothing like the Rolex 24!

Of course, the elitist ALMS fans are laughing at NASCAR’s 29 entries for Daytona.  So how many entries will there be at Sebring?  How many Rileys?  True, Sebring may have the U85-powered Radicals, but what else? It’s the same old tired argument that NASCAR wins every time.

The media who are in the know are firmly convinced that this year’s Rolex will be the best in the history of endurance racing, both on and off the track. As you watch this year unfold, you will see A.C. is right. 29 is just fine.

A.C.
_______________

*subject to not happening. Weather conditions or lack of spectators may force cancellation. No autographs. Do not look him in the eye or ask questions about Paul Gentilozzi or Jaguar. May be replaced by Henri Zogiab or J.C. France. Offer not valid on days that end in “y” or if a Coyote qualifies on the pole. No rain checks.

I missed the Mid-Ohio race, but I am primed and ready for my favorite series to return home to the World Center of Racing. It is going to be awesome, with Grand-Am and the Cup cars running on the same day!

Mid-Ohio was another fantastically officiated race.  All the team owners I talked with last week were absolutely thrilled with the event, and hopefully next year spectators will be allowed.  Although the entry list has been steadily shrinking to ALMS levels, the close competition gave me goose bumps! I don’t know about you, but that race made me want to go out and buy a Rolex and get a car loan at Sun Trust!  Not so sure about Kevin’s wine, however.

There’s no doubt this year is going great. I just saw a NASCAR press release that confirmed the Grand-Am Series is growing by leaps and bounds.  I was very impressed to see Grand-Am merchandise sales up 41%.  I think Wayne Taylor buying those 10 t-shirts at New Jersey might have had something to do with that.

While Grand-Am’s Riley Rolex Series is booming, all you hear out of Braselton are words like ‘homologation” (isn’t that what certain people do in San Francisco?), “green racing” and “relevance.” 

I almost feel sorry for the ALMS. Once NASCAR officially took over my beloved Rolex Series, game over. The experts at Daytona are proving NASCAR will indeed rule the road racing world. Jim F. and Roger E. have penciled in Sebring and Road Atlanta on the 2010 Rolex schedule (which will be Grand-Am’s first races with spectators!). Of course, Petit Le Mans will have to change its name to Petit Daytona. And the DIS Security Department will have to go to Sebring to straighten out those Green Park people (I’ve been told the fine folks at DIS Security have been watching videos of the Iranian police’s suppression of protesters as a model for crowd control).

The transition from ALMS to Grand-Am should be relatively painless for ALMS fans. Other than the NASCAR loyalty oath, a ban on all technology developed in the last 20 years, and mystery debris yellow flags, they probably won’t notice anything different other than bigger fields of Porsche Cup cars and those beautiful DPs!

And yes, Le Mans was another yawner this year. Until Peugeot and Audi prove they can beat Rileys, Coyotes and Crawfish, they haven’t proven anything.

In closing, I can’t wait for the season-ending banquet after Homestead.  I have heard the entertainment lineup will again include Kevin Buckler doing his mime routine again, Mark Raffauf’s band “Mark and the Scale Calibrators,” plus special guest Tony George will join Roger E. in an emotional tribute to Michael Jackson.

A.C.

Having grown up on Long Island, and having attended my first race at Bridgehampton in 1966, it is a joy to have a new track in the Northeast. And having the stellar Grand-Am Series visit New Jersey is even better.

Having missed VIR, I was glad to be at Thunderbolt. Well, sort of.  The race turned out to be a wet and wild spinfest. And yes, it was a record crowd. The “Record Crowd” press releases have already been written for the remaining races of the season, to counter the false claims by the ALMS that there are virtually no fans at Grand-Am races. Once the press release goes out, attendance will no longer be a problem!  These NASCAR PR guys are absolutely brilliant!

I remember back in the day when Big Bill France was the guy behind John Bishop and IMSA. NASCAR essentially owned IMSA back then, and now history is repeating itself. The France family is again in control of road racing in North America! The Nicotine Patch induced infatuation with Le Mans, technology and “World Class Racing” is being pulverized with fender-banging, low-tech, spec car road racing designed for the competitors, not the fans. Finally, some sanity!

I ran into my good friend Katrina Flood at New Jersey, which surprised me because she is an ALMS apologist. Anyway, we had a spirited conversation on the future of the ALMS (assuming there is one). I have been assured by NASCAR that the ALMS does not have a future, but she would not listen. She had some silly idea about the two series running together now and then, for the benefit of the fans. Silly Katrina, I hope you are reading this- the fans don’t get a vote.  When will you learn that NASCAR decides what is best for sports car racing fans?

Anyway, back to my thoughts on New Jersey. I have heard some rumblings about too much rough driving in the Rolex Series. Please remember that NASCAR owns the series, and they know that wrecks are good for the series. Racing is entertainment, and NASCAR fully intends on making sports car racing just like oval racing.

New Jersey was a great event, probably the best Grand-Am race ever. Did I mention the record crowd?

 Rumor Control Department

ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE:

Grand-Am is changing its name to the Patrick Dempsey Road Racing Association.

NASCAR Nationwide and Truck Series participants, and ISC shareholders, are furious over NASCAR’s wasting money in road racing, while neglecting their struggling series.

The Grand-Am Series is North America’s most successful vintage racing series.

The Grand-Am tech inspection scales were calibrated by Stevie Wonder.

Scott Pruett invented the internet with the help of Al Gore.

All DP owners are required to buy extended warranties through US Fidelis, the national warranty scam with Rusty Wallace as spokesman.

Certain ISC executives call Grand-Am “NASCAR’s cancer.”

The prize money at New Jersey was instead used to repair the fence at Talladega.

ISC revenues were down double-digits in the first quarter due to poor sales of  the Grand-Am Yearbook.

The Riley that won this year’s Rolex 24 was built in 1979.

ISC have offered Tony George 5 Rolex watches, a free Dale Carnegie public speaking  course, a signed Wayne Taylor SunTrust Racing Team hat and $2 million cash to have a Grand-Am 24 Hours of Indy race next year.

NASCAR employees lovingly call a transfer to the Grand-Am Series as a transfer to “the Russian front.”

TRUE:

23 manufacturers have applied to build DP chassis once the ALMS goes out of business.

The Koni series really does exist.

Scott Pruett invented the internet without Al Gore’s help.

As I write this column I am glued to the TV watching the VIR race, anxiously waiting to see who finishes 16th and wins that $300,000 bonus [editor‘s note: The Bear regrets to inform A.C. that it is $300, not $300,000]. What a concept, finishing 16th is more important than winning, Once again, Grand-Am proves its marketing prowess.

I couldn’t attend VIR because the Pontiac is in the shop, so TV coverage will have to do. But I miss being there and hopefully I will able to attend the New Jersey race.

It is hard to argue against the Grand-Am spec series formula. Spec Tires (Pirelli), Spec Chassis (Riley), and Spec Driver (J.C. France). And the stable rules make Grand-Am such a better place to compete (sorry Mazda about that 800 pounds of ballast you have to carry). The 200,000+ people at VIR proves this series will soon be bigger than Formula One.

Anyway, to pickup from my last column with a few more observations from Sebring:  I ran into some interesting people while in Sebring.  There was a guy named “Michael J.” who said he owned the leading sports car racing website, LSMR dot something. He offered me a six-figure salary to edit his website, but I told him I was under exclusive contract with another company. When he introduced me to his imaginary friend, I knew it was time to move on.

I had the pleasure of meeting a photographer who goes by the name of “Huge Molly” (I think that is his nickname because he used to play in the band Molly Hatchet). He clued me in on a few ALMS rumors, including one in which Bruton Smith is buying Sebring and Road Atlanta just to annoy the France family.  And another rumor which I find more likely is that Grand-Am will expand to Asia in 2011 with the Grand-Jap Championship, and to France in 2012 with the Grand-Fran Championship.  The Grand-Ant Championship (Antarctica) is still on the drawing boards, but Roger E. is a firm believer is spec ice racing.

So much for the rumor mill. After stopping at the Nicotine Patch display to get a free sample, I wondered over to a place called “F Troop.”  Not sure if this was an official Sebring display, but there was a guy there who looked exactly like Bernie Eccelstone playing the guitar.

At the end of the race, they have this thing at Sebring called Park and Ferment (weird name, must have something to do with Dr. P’s winery). I heard someone with the Audi team say: “I sure hope they are using the Grand-Am scales!” Not sure what he meant, but I was glad he had heard of the Grand-Am series, since that is where Audi will be running next year.

All-in-all, Sebring was a mess. Too many spectators. Too many foreigners. Cars were way too fast. Track staff was too friendly…As Roger E. told me, Sebring is just a freakin Le Mans in an orange grove. Amen to that.

In closing, I want to address my alleged “Man Crush” on Scott Pruett. Come guys, admit it. He is a spec racing stud.  Even a certain stuffed Bear probably thinks Scottie is a Hottie.

Well, I’m going online for my obligatory “Fantastic Race” post on the Grand-Am Forum. See ya next time.

A.C.

As soon as the Bear posted his expectations for the Sebring grid, a chorus of “wait-a-minutes” came in.
As a result, he’s going to downgrade the Salt Lake City prototype from “probable” to “possible,” and upgrade the “No Name Team” Ferrari from “possible” to “possible plus.” (Ok, that’s a new rating – live with it.)
Regardless of his reduced confidence, he hopes that the Zytek makes it to the grid, since he’ll win a Jameson (and his assistant will treated to some fine Dutch brew) at Chicanes if it does. For now, those changes will cut his likely P1 starters to seven. Murphy’s going to keep his expected GT starters at 17, making Sebring’s total grid 29.

Murphy’s Rolex Punting Rools

Last year, the Bear picked five favorites for the Daytona win, and went 1-2-3. Suddenly all the punters are clamoring to know how Murphy does it. Well here’s the Poop, five rules for picking the Rolex (the other two are Bear secrets):

1. Riley only. Are you kidding? The first non-Riley was 15th, eight in class. Domination, baby.
2. Teams you’ve heard of, even if you’ve been in a cave. Ganassi (that’s three in a row), Penske, GAINSCO, Brumos. They have guys who know how to screw down lug nuts.
3. No oil billionaire drivers, no scrawny girls. No drivers with the same name as the team.

Rolex Favorites

Here are Murphy’s by-the-rools five favorites for the 2009 Rolex. Look familiar?
01 Ganassi  Dixon, Montoya, Pruett, Rojas – Lexus / Riley
02 Ganassi  Dixon, Franchitti, Lloyd, Pruett – Lexus / Riley
16 Penske Racing Bernhard,Brisco, Dumas – Porsche / Riley
58 Brumos Racing Donohue, Garcia, Law, Rice – Porsche / Riley
99 GAINSCO   Fogarty, Gurney, Johnson, Vasser – Pontiac / Riley

Murphy’s Predictions

The Bear enjoyed AC’s and Katrina’s so much he made some of his own.

Baring unfixable practice disasters (or rubber checks) four classes will take the green flag: Riley Class – 13; ODP Class – 6; TF Class – 13; Porsche GT3 Cup Class – 17. (ODP = Other Daytona Prototypes; TF = Tube Frame)

With great fanfare, the infield will be closed on race morning after the 5,000 fans and 500 cars for which there is still room have been waved through the tunnel.

The NASCAR-driver storylines will disappear with the near-disappearance of NASCAR drivers. No longer singing “NASCAR über alles,” Grand Am will tout the “international flavor” of the driver field.

No entry with a “gentleman driver” will win overall.

Matt Connolly will win a close contest for the “Most Annoying Team Owner Award.”

The hot paddock rumor will be about JCF’s missing $12 million.

The only mentions of ALMS will be in Boris Said interviews.