As the 2021 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona beckons, Riley Motorsports has enlisted Spencer Pigot (USA) to the No. 74 Ligier JS P320 alongside Gar Robinson (USA), Oliver Askew (USA) and Scott Andrews (AUS). Pigot will serve as a substitute for full season driver, Felipe Fraga, who remains in Brazil due to a COVID-19 related immigration issue.
“I’ve known Spencer for a while now and it will be great to have him with us for Daytona,” said Riley Motorsports Team Principal, Bill Riley. “It’s a shame that Felipe will not be able to join us, but we are excited to continue our pursuit for the LMP3 championship with him in Sebring.”
With the 24-hour classic not counting towards the six-round LMP3-class championship, Fraga will remain in contention for the driver’s title with Gar Robinson upon his return to North America.
“I’m devastated to not be able to compete in the Rolex 24 as planned, but look forward to cheering on my teammates,” Fraga added. “From here I’m all eyes on the championship with Riley Motorsports and Gar Robinson.”
Known for his success in the open wheel ranks, Pigot has spent the greater part of the last five years competing in the NTT IndyCar Series. No stranger to the IMSA scene, the former Indy Lights champion already has three Rolex 24 starts under his belt, all in prototype machinery. The last time he competed in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship was at Sebring International Raceway in 2020 when he came out on top in the LMP2 category.
“I’m really looking forward to joining Riley Motorsports for the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona,” said Pigot. “The team has such a successful history at this event and hopefully we can add another victory. I haven’t driven the LMP3 car before so it will be an exciting challenge. As always it’s going to be a very difficult race, but I will have great teammates in Gar, Oliver and Scott and I’m confident that we will be able to fight for a Rolex.”
Though new to the Riley Motorsports team, the addition of Pigot will bring things full circle for Robinson, who has a unique past with the Florida-native.
“We’re all sad that Felipe can’t join us for reasons outside of his control, but couldn’t think of a better substitute than Spencer Pigot,” said Robinson. “Spencer was actually one of my instructors at the Skip Barber Racing School when I was younger, so I’m excited to work with him again at Daytona. Running with Riley Motorsports in an LMP3 car with Spencer, Scott, and Oliver, at the Rolex 24 sounds like a hell of a party and I’m ready.”
The 2021 IMSA WeatherTech Championship kicks off with the Roar Before the Rolex 24 Jan. 22-24. The event will include testing and the new Motul Pole Award 100 qualifying race to determine the starting grid for the Rolex 24. Track action for the Rolex 24 At Daytona begins Jan. 28, with the 24-hour race set to start at 3:40PM ET Saturday, Jan. 30.
Source. CM Solutions
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