GRAND AM (DAYTONA) - Cup Series Driver Jimmie Johnson to Compete in Thursday's Brumos Porsche 250

Defending NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson will make his second 2007 Daytona Prototype appearance with the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve in the Brumos Porsche 250 this Thursday, July 5 under the lights beginning at 8 p.m. ET (SPEED, Live) at Daytona International Speedway. Johnson will team with Marc Goossens in the No. 91 Riley-Matthews Motorsports Lowe's Pontiac Riley.

Johnson also teamed Goossens and the team’s other regular co-driver, Jim Mathews, for the Rolex 24 At Daytona in February, qualifying third before finishing the endurance race in 36th position overall. Johnson and the Riley-Matthews Motorsports team expect a much better result in this week’s two-hour, 45-minute sprint.

"At the 24 Hours (At) Daytona we ran up front and ran really strong,” Johnson said. “But we had a problem that unfortunately put us behind and then finally put us out of the race. This time I'll just be running with Marc Goossens. I have the honor of qualifying the car and starting the race, and I'm really excited about those two things. Marc will get in and drive to the finish. Hopefully we can get a win for them – or at least run up front."

One of the concerns for Johnson and the Riley-Matthews Motorsports team is the lack of seat time Johnson has had in preparation for this event.

“I did a lot of testing to get ready for the 24 Hours (At) Daytona,” said Johnson. “But unfortunately, I was supposed to test down in Florida last week, but it rained and the test was cancelled. I've been trying to get seat time, but with the NASCAR Cup schedule, weather issues, and the scheduling that Riley has had to get the car prepared, I haven't been able to test for this race. But that's okay; I'm excited and ready to go!"

Grand-Am, which operates and sanctions the Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve and the KONI Challenge Series, is the premier road racing organization in North America. The 15-race 2007 Rolex Series schedule and the 12-race KONI Challenge Series calendar delivered professional sports car racing to key markets throughout North America in addition to being televised in the United States and Canada on SPEED and distributed globally through ESPN International. With title sponsorship support from Rolex Watch USA and presenting sponsorship from Crown Royal Special Reserve, the Rolex Series showcases emerging and legendary drivers from around the globe and thoroughbred racing machines from the industry's leading constructors and the world's top automobile manufacturers. Learn more about Grand-Am at www.grand-am.com.