Lexus Takes Runner-Up Finish In Rolex 24 At Daytona

February 6, 2004 -- Daytona beach, FL -- The Doran-Lista Lexus charged through the field from the 31st starting position to capture second in the Daytona Prototype class and give Lexus a podium finish in its first prototype start in the Rolex 24 - the most grueling test in racing.

Doran-Lista Lexus drivers Didier Theys, Fredy Lienhard, Jan Lammers and Marc Goosens improved 25 positions during the race to finish fourth overall after being forced to start 31st due to a paperwork snafu in qualifying.

Joining the Doran-Lista team in the top-10 overall were the Lexus-powered entries of Michael Shank Racing (fourth in class, seventh overall) and Chip Ganassi Racing (sixth in class, 10th overall). All three of the Lexus teams were running at the finish of the twice-around-the-clock spectacular.

Michael Shank Racing's impressive performance came in the team's first race in prototype competition after successfully campaigning in the Toyota Atlantic Championship. Drivers Kelly Collins, Thomas Erdos, Cort Wagner and Mike Newton kept the car in the top 10 for virtually the entire 24 hours.

The pole-sitting Ganassi CompUSA Lexus appeared to have a great shot at the overall victory as it consistently ran in the top two through the first 12 hours of the event. Unfortunately, the team was forced to change radiators during the night. After falling far back in the field, drivers Scott Pruett, Max Papis, Scott Dixon and Jimmy Morales carved their way back through the field and back into the top 10 in the final hour of the race.

The Rolex Series returns to action on Feb. 28 at the Miami-Homestead Speedway during the Toyota Indy 300 weekend