Pataskala-based Meyer Shank racing wins Rolex 24 endurance race at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH — Driver Tom Blomqvist dominated the final hour in Meyer Shank Racing's No. 60 Acura prototype, giving the Pataskala-based team a second straight win in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“We’ve won this race now twice; we’ve won the Indianapolis 500,” team co-owner Jim Meyer said. “People need to be aware that we’re just as good as anybody out there, and we’re prepared to go get the best drivers and the best talent and the best equipment in the world.”

Blomqvist followed impressive early stints Saturday with a rock-solid closing stretch during the day-long event. The No. 60 ended up 4.190 seconds ahead of another Acura, the No. 10 from Wayne Taylor Racing, as the checkers flew to bring an end to the motor racing marathon.

“My life was made easier with the car I had under me today – all week, really,” Blomqvist said.

Blomqvist's co-drivers were Helio Castroneves, Colin Braun and Simon Pagenaud.

It's a third straight Rolex win for Castroneves, who became just the second driver in Rolex 24 history to be part of three consecutive overall victories. Peter Gregg won three in a row in 1973, 1975 and 1976. (The 1974 event was canceled due to the national fuel crisis.)

“It’s a very tough sport,” Castroneves said. “You lose more than you win, and all of the sudden, when you win like this … everyone not knowing and all the sudden, you’re right there about to achieve this amazing dream? Yes, I’m an emotional guy.

“It did touch me in a way. That’s why I love so much this sport. It’s very hard, and when you get it, you’ve got to celebrate.”

The Rolex 24 marks the unofficial start of the international racing season and this year attracted a record crowd for the event.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Meyer Shank Racing wins Rolex 24 at Daytona behind Blomqvist's driving