Action Express Racing Welcomes Return to Daytona for Brumos Porsche 250
The GRAND-AM Rolex
Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 is set to mark a significant
milestone as they reach their 100th Daytona Prototype competition this weekend at the Brumos
Porsche 250. Action Express Racing, in their inaugural year as a team, can only trace their
roots back to seven of those races, but despite that newcomer status, the team has already made its
mark in Rolex Series history books. The entire team is understandably happy to return to Daytona International Speedway, scene of their first race and their first victory - the memorable Rolex 24 upset win earlier this year. While the #9 Porsche V-8 Riley may have only seven races to its credit, drivers Terry Borcheller and Joao Barbosa each have years of experience in Rolex Series competition. Both drivers have been active participants in the series, from the inaugural year of 2003 to their present full-time role with Action Express.
The Rolex Series has seen many changes since their early days, when the traditional July Daytona race was called the Paul Revere 250 and was run late in the evening. In 2003, as the new DP class
made its debut for that race, both Borcheller and Barbosa were on hand, but the two ended the event with very different results. Driving with Bell Motorsports, Terry Borcheller scored the victory in that memorable race.
Joao Barbosa was driving in the GTS class when the outcome of the race and the entire season was suddenly altered. A car exiting pit lane made contact with Barbosa and his future Brumos teammate, Hurley Haywood, damaging both their cars heavily. The ensuing full course caution cleared the way for Borcheller to take the lead. That incident cost Barbosa his championship lead in class driver points while Borcheller went on to win, not only that race, but to claim the first Rolex Series DP championship in that landmark year.
Now, seven years later, Borcheller and Barbosa are still making history, but are now happy to be sharing the cockpit for Action Express. Their 2010 Rolex 24 victory not only put the team in thespotlight, it made them a member of a very elite group - one of only two teams this season whohave defeated Chip Ganassi Racing. Following the Rolex 24, the team has faced challenges,working through the development process in search of consistently strong performance. Despitedisappointment at seeing a promising 4th place lost in a late-race incident at Mid-Ohio, the teamhas high hopes that a return to Daytona will see them back out in front.
Terry Borcheller is encouraged by the progress made after the team recruited some additionalengineering feedback for their last race. The successful setup that put Action Express in VictoryLane at Daytona earlier this year also provides a good starting point on which the team can build.Borcheller termed the improvements “a definite plus”, and added, “Going forward, we found something to take us in a positive direction.” Joao Barbosa praised his team for their hard workmaking the #9 more competitive and shared Borcheller’s optimism for the rest of the season ahead.
As Action Express returns to Daytona, you can be sure the memories of Victory Lane will be foremost in their mind, and that no effort will be spared by team or drivers to bring the #9 back to
the podium for a repeat appearance.
The Brumos Porsche 250 will be held on Saturday, July 3rd at Daytona International Speedway. The 2.5 hour race will start at 11:00 AM ET, and will be broadcast by tape delay on SPEED TV with coverage beginning at 1:00 PM ET.
