Riding the momentum of two straight victories in the American Le Mans Series’ GT-C class, Duncan Ende will return to the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series for this weekend’s Watkins Glen 200.
Partnering with Andy Lally, Ende will make his first start of the season in the Rolex Series in the no. 66 TRG / Racer’s Roast Porsche 911 GT3 Cup – which will feature the Racer’s Roast logo in bright green for the new decaf version of the coffee. The race, which was not originally a part of Ende’s 2011 racing schedule, came up at the last minute as TRG teams will take part in both the Rolex Series race and the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen.
“I received a call last week from Kevin Buckler, and he asked me if I wanted to do the Rolex Series race at the Glen with Andy,” said Ende. “I didn’t really have to give it much thought! We’ve got a lot of momentum with our no. 66 car in the ALMS, and it will be fun to jump into a different series and see how we do. TRG obviously knows how to win in the Rolex Series too so I have high hopes for this weekend.”
Ende’s chance to compete in the Rolex Series race came about as a result of TRG entering a second Porsche for Lally in this weekend’s Watkins Glen 200 so that Lally could compete in both the Rolex Series and Sprint Cup races. Lally was victorious in the 2010 Six Hours at the Glen, as well as a winner at this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.
“It’s really exciting to be a part of Andy’s big weekend,” said Ende. “And I’m honored that he and Kevin had faith in me to share the car with him. I’m expecting a very exciting race, because it’s only two hours long, so it’s not exactly what I’m used to. But we’ll have a winning strategy and I know the TRG guys will give Andy and me a very fast Porsche.”
Unique to the weekend will be the fact that Ende will be competing against his regular co-driver, Spencer Pumpelly.
“Yeah, it will be a little strange to race against Spencer this weekend,” said Ende. “I would always prefer to have Spencer with me and not against me! But we will all be sharing data and working together throughout the weekend to get both TRG Porsches up to speed, so it won’t be so different than what I’m used to.”
The Watkins Glen 200 will be broadcast live on SPEED Channel on Saturday, August 13, beginning at 6:00 PM ET.
Source: Duncan Ende Racing
