The distinctive new design features the words "GRAND-AM" in bold italicized script, and a red and blue background image representing the twists and turns of a road course. Also unveiled at the annual Performance Racing Industry show at the Orange County Convention Center were new logos for the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 and the KONI Sports Car Challenge, both incorporating the new design.
"We decided to come up with a fresh look to reflect our change in ownership," said Grand-Am President Roger Edmondson. "The new logo reflects our new look as we move forward in our relationship with NASCAR as we work together to enhance both forms of motorsports."
"NASCAR is proud to offer so many forms of racing to its fans," said NASCAR Vice Chairman Jim France. "NASCAR has long provided its fans with the best stock car, truck, late model and modified racing. NASCAR is proud to add the best sports car racing, for its fans."
In September, NASCAR Holdings announced that it had acquired Grand-Am Road Racing. Operating now as one organization, resources such as marketing, research and public relations are being fully integrated.
The season begins with the January test days known as the "Roar Before the 24" on Jan. 3-5 at Daytona International Speedway. Grand-Am Road Racing opens its 2009 season with the 47th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 24-25. The Rolex 24 will have a new starting time, 3:30 p.m., marking the opening of the international motorsports calendar featuring America's premier endurance motorsports event, with drivers from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the IndyCar Series and international sports car competition challenging the Rolex Series regulars.
National network television coverage of the event begins at 3 p.m. on FOX, which will have a 90-minute show. Coverage of the Rolex 24 then continues on SPEED, which will again cover all of the Rolex Series races in 2009. SPEED will carry all 12 Rolex Series races on same-day coverage, most of them live. SPEED will also cover selected KONI Challenge races on a delayed basis.
