IMSA overturns GTD penalties

IMSA has reversed the decision to penalize the Level 5 Ferrari team 70 seconds, relegating them from first on the road to fourth in class.

The decision was made that the Level 5 car made contact with the second place Flying Lizard team going through the kink on the final lap.

Television showed that no contact was made, and drivers lodged their complaints with the ruling.

“A full post-race review of the incident on the last lap of the 52nd Rolex 24 At Daytona was completed by IMSA Supervisory Officials. The decision has been made to reverse the decision by the race director, rescind the penalty against the No. 555 Level 5 Motorsports Ferrari 458 Italia team, and reinstate drivers Scott Tucker, Bill Sweedler, Townsend Bell, Jeff Segal and Alessandro Pier Giuidi as the GT Daytona class winners,” said competition and technical director Scot Elkins in a statement.

“We regret the confusion following the race, and appreciate the patience by our fans, drivers, teams and the media so we could properly review and subsequently report this decision.”

The driver of the number 555 car at the time of the incident Alesandro Pier Guidi said he didn’t want to talk about the decision but was happy with the exciting race.

“I don't want to talk about the decision because it's an IMSA process. I don't want to say anything about that, but I want to say it was really an exciting two last laps of the race,” he said.

“After 24 hours we were so tired, but we never give up. Now I am here finally, and I am so happy and proud to have won the 24 Hours at Daytona.”