Action Express Racing took their first win of 2013 and their fifth Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series victory in the Diamond Cellar Classic at Mid-Ohio.
The #5 Corvette DP was locked in a battle for the lead up until lap 89, when Joao Barbosa took the lead and never looked back, holding off the field and finishing 1.49-seconds ahead of the chasing pack.
“We qualified decent and I was really happy with my stint and it was good to be putting the pressure on the guys in front,” said Christian Fittipaldi, who partnered Barbosa in the Daytona Prototype. “In the race, it all just connected. I had a strong first stint and then Joao just kept it on from there and he did an awesome job. And that was it, we came home P1. The team did a great job and the Corvette DP was just awesome. Getting to victory lane is so sweet–it is great to be back!”
The sister #9 car couldn’t match the pace of the race winners, only managing to finish in seventh place after a spin and a pair of pit-lane speeding penalties cost the pairing of Burt and Brian Frisselle a significant amount of track position.
“It is a shame with the result, but I am so proud of the team, getting the win with the five car,” said Brian Frisselle. “We’ve got two cars but it is one team. So to see them in the winner circle is great. Our car was awesome, but we got punted early on. Stuff happens and we just kept fighting back. I got two penalties, and that cost us a likely podium and some points. We’ll recover and come back stronger.”
Action Express Racing now look ahead to the next round of the Rolex Sports Car Series, the Six Hours of the Glen, and will hope to replicate their 2012 victory at the circuit.
