United Autosports stepped onto the biggest stage in endurance racing with the 62nd Rolex 24 at Daytona, facing a blend of triumph and tribulation over the course of the 24-hour challenge. The LMP2 team secured a promising start, with the #2 car achieving pole position thanks to five-time Daytona polesitter Ben Keating, while the #22 vehicle began in fifth place. Early tactical caution flags indicated a race filled with unpredictability, leading to numerous incidents that resulted in five out of 13 LMP2 competitors retiring.
Daniel Goldburg, driver of the unfortunate #22 ORECA 07, faced a dramatic turn of events in the fifth hour when he suffered heavy damage. "I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m super disappointed in the results, and pretty hard on myself for what I could have done different. But … onward and upward!" said Goldburg, reflecting on a challenging weekend. Despite the setback, he acknowledged that fellow teammate Bijoy Garg had a strong stint, showcasing the capabilities of their talented driver lineup.
The #2 team exhibited an impressive performance initially, with Nico Pino taking the lead just after the one-hour mark and maintaining a competitive position into the night. Despite the momentum, issues began to surface. "The race started alright … it felt like we had decent pace at the beginning," Ben Hanley explained. “Then we started having an issue with a panel on the car … causing multiple different problems which we were battling.”
Their strong performance was evidenced by leading 208 of the first 336 laps, dominating more than half of the opening stages of the race. However, problems began to mount as bodywork damage required significant repairs that hindered their ability to sustain front-running pace throughout the night. "It’s a shame about the bodywork issue, but I have put together the best possible team to try to win this race 14 years in a row," remarked Keating, emphasizing the unpredictability of endurance racing.
Pato O'Ward, another driver for the #2 crew, shared his sentiments after the race: "We’ve put in some hard work these last couple of weeks … far too much for a sixth place finish. It was looking really good, but then it seemed to turn upside down, and we couldn’t recover. But it has been a very enjoyable experience for me with United Autosports USA… and I’m already excited for my next Rolex 24!"
In the closing hours on Sunday, Ben Hanley concluded the race, securing sixth place for the #2 vehicle after relentless efforts from the entire team. "The second half was tough – it took a lot of work to cross the line sixth, but that’s racing sometimes," remarked Pino, highlighting the challenging conditions they encountered.
On the other side, the #22 crew faced stark disappointment. Felix Rosenqvist echoed the sentiment of frustration, stating, "Tough break for the #22 – obviously, it’s tough not getting to drive at all but we all know there is a possibility of these things happening."
Paul di Resta sought to underscore the importance of team effort despite the early exit from the race. "Firstly I want to say thank you to the team, for all the effort that has gone into this event. It shows how cruel this sport can be sometimes, to be out of the race so early," he reflected.
As the sun set on Daytona, mixed emotions lingered for United Autosports. While the #2 car showcased early dominance and experienced setbacks through the night, the #22 car's unfortunate DNF echoed the unpredictable nature of endurance racing. With the next challenge on the horizon in the form of the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 16, 2024, the team will surely look to build on their experiences at Daytona and come back stronger. The team's social media channels will be buzzing with updates as they prepare for the next race in the IMSA season.