Mazda Motorsports has been promoted to pole position for the Motul Pole Award 100 at Daytona after polesitters Whelen Engineering Racing failed post-qualifying technical inspections.
Initially, Felipe Nasr had taken pole position in the #31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-VR, but the car was found to be underweight and has been placed at the back of the class.
It promotes the #55 Mazda RT24-P to pole, with the #5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-VR now second followed by the #01 Chip Ganassi Cadillac DPi-VR.
“I just found out we’ve been promoted to pole,” Jarvis said. “I’d rather do it on the track but that pole at Daytona is always special. … Any pole is special but this one in particular. I love this track, such an amazing race.”
“You always want to start out front and try and stay out of trouble,” Jarvis said, “which is working for our program now. I think we’ve got a good race car as well, so we’re hopeful for tomorrow. … I think we’ll be strong tomorrow but never underestimate the competition.”
Two other cars failed scrutineering and have also been placed at the back of their respective classes.
The #10 Wayne Taylor Racing Acura ARX-05, driven by Filipe Albuquerque, will start last in class after the rear wing and bodywork did not meet the regulations.
Finally, the #51 RWR Eurasia Ligier JS P217-Gibson, driven by Salih Yoluc, will start from the back in LMP2 after its rear wing too failed inspections.
