DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 28, 2016) - The father and son team of David MacNeil (Hinsdale, Ill.), and Cooper MacNeil (Hinsdale, Ill.) are teamed with Leh Keen (Charleston, S.C.), Shane van Gisbergen (New Zealand) and Gunnar Jeannette (Salt Lake City, Utah) for 24 hours of racing this weekend in the No. 22 WeatherTech Racing Porsche at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship 54th running of the Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona at Daytona International Speedway.
The MacNeil duo will be one of two father and son driving teams running in the Rolex 24 hour this weekend. The pair are looking forward to a little inter-family bench racing as they compete in the GTD class at the World Center of Racing. The twosome began their on track competition driving in vintage races over the past year. In November, David, founder and CEO of WeatherTech, decided to take it up a notch and join his son behind the wheel for the Rolex 24. The last time David MacNeil strapped on the racing belts in an Alex Job Racing Porsche was back in 1999 when he finished second at the 12 Hours of Sebring.
"I have watched Cooper over the last eight years compete in sports cars and I am his biggest fan," David MacNeil said. "We started to get into vintage racing over the last year and I felt my old competitive juices coming back. It is special to spend the time together with something we are both very passionate about. We really don't have a bet or anything, but this old man is going to push him. I took a run in the new Porsche at the Roar test and was really comfortable in the car and my time was competitive with the field. I will put in my stint and then let the 'kids' take it the rest of the way."
For Cooper, the weekend will also make for a special memory.
"Ever since I started racing, my dad has been there for me," Cooper MacNeil said. "When he first mentioned that he was thinking about joining us for the Rolex 24, I thought why not. He has never done this race before and I know he is very excited. It is good to have him aboard with us this weekend. He is going to get off of the pit box and into the driver seat. No rivalry. We are a team and he is a part of this great effort. I will be on the pit box cheering for him as hard as he has cheered for me all of these years. I'm excited."
Alex Job, team owner, likes the father and son combination.
"When David came to me with his idea I was a little skeptical," Job said. "Then once I thought it through and he ran well at the test I think it is a great thing. We have seen many successful father and son teams in sports car racing over the years. It will be 17 years since David last drove for me professionally at Sebring. We had a pretty good result then and I am hoping to have a similar if not one better come Sunday afternoon."
The team will start from the second row in third position on the GTD grid Saturday based up the 2:06.556 lap that Leh Keen posted in rainy conditions in the No. 22 WeatherTech Racing Porsche.
The 54th running of the Rolex 24 Hour At Daytona will be televised over FOX Sports1 and 2 as well as streaming live on IMSA.tv. Starting on Saturday, Jan. 30, FS1 will carry the opening ceremonies and green flag live at 2 p.m. ET. FOX Sports 2 picks-up at 4 p.m. IMSA.tv will take over at 10 p.m. At 7 a.m. on Sunday, FOX Sports 1 returns, over to FOX Sports 2 at 10:30 a.m. and back to FOX Sports 1 for the finish at 1 p.m.
For more information on WeatherTech Racing, including race recaps, photos and team gear, please visit the official team site at www.WeatherTechRacing.com.