Tuesday, January 22, 2019 – Highlands, NJ – Aim Vasser Sullivan driver Frankie Montecalvo is set to kick off the 2019 season at the Super Bowl of the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Racing Championship, The Rolex 24 at Daytona. After completing a successful test at the Roar earlier in the month, and qualifying P2 for pit and paddock position, Montecalvo is more than ready to get back behind the wheel of the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3.
Montecalvo will compete with full season co-driver Townsend Bell, as well as Jeff Segal and Aaron Telitz. Of the 47 entries for the Rolex 24, the Montecalvo, Bell, Segal and Telitz lineup is the only All-American entry.
“I can’t believe it’s finally race week. I’ve been looking forward to this week since I announced my plans for a full season with Townsend and Aim Vasser Sullivan, and I cannot wait to get things going on Thursday,” said Montecalvo.
“I’ve wanted to put a full season program together for the past two years and compete for a GTD Championship. I’m very excited to be teaming up with Townsend for the full season and to have Jeff on board for the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup races. This will be Aaron’s first Rolex 24, but he’s proven to be a tremendous asset to the team, and I think we have one of the strongest lineups in the GTD field. We’re also the only All-American entry, and I think that’s pretty special.”
Both Bell and Segal have won the Rolex 24 in the GTD class in previous years. Montecalvo finished P5 in the 2018 Rolex 24 with Bell and Bill Sweedler but has his hopes set on a Rolex 24 win for 2019.
“It would be awesome to come away with a win at the Rolex 24. There are certain endurance races that every driver wants to win, and I think the Rolex 24 is one of those races for just about every driver. It’s so tough and demanding on the team, the drivers and obviously the car, which is what makes it that much more special if you’re able to win it.”
“I know everyone at Aim Vasser Sullivan, and Lexus Racing have been working as hard as they can to give us the best car possible this week. I promise we’re going to do everything we can to get the car out front when the green flag drops on Saturday and keep it there until the checkered flag on Sunday.”
You can watch Frankie race LIVE this weekend on NBCSN. Catch the Qualifying show on Thursday at 3:00 PM ET. Coverage for the Rolex 24 begins at 2:00 PM ET on Saturday, January 26, and be sure to stay tuned to Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date with all of Frankie’s racing news throughout the weekend!