Fernando Alonso, of Spain, waves to fans as he signs autographs for before the IMSA 24-hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Fernando Alonso, of Spain, waves to fans as he signs autographs for before the IMSA 24-hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, in Daytona Beach, Fla. John Raoux AP Photo
Fernando Alonso, of Spain, waves to fans as he signs autographs for before the IMSA 24-hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, in Daytona Beach, Fla. John Raoux AP Photo

Sports

Wayne Taylor Racing goes for another Rolex 24 Hours victory

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer

January 27, 2018 03:17 PM

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.

Wayne Taylor Racing has led the field to green in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.

The Taylor team is the defending race winner, but has an overhauled lineup this year and Dutch driver Renger van der Zande won the pole in a Cadillac Di.

The twice-round-the-clock endurance race marks the return to full-time competition in sports cars for Roger Penske. His two-car Acura effort is stacked with talent and Helio Castroneves started the race second. He will give way to Ricky Taylor, who was battling the flu and too sick to qualify the car.

Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso is making his major sports car debut. The Spaniard is in the race because he's trying to complete a bucket list of the best events in the world.