Helio Castroneves and Ricky Taylor get ready for the start of the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Laid up with the flu for three days – only running a mandatory lap in Friday’s pre-event practice – Ricky Taylor was rejuvenated following two and a half stints early in the Rolex 24.

“The Acura DPi was the formula for curing the flu,” Taylor said after stepping out of the No.7 Acura Team Penske car. I had three really good days of rest, while the guys did everything with the car to get it ready for race day. I was just in the motorhome sleeping.

“When I got in the car, I felt great, and I’m excited to get going for the rest of the Rolex 24. But if you had asked me that two days ago, I would have said no way would I be racing.”

Taylor said the team will follow its regular driver rotation for the remainder of the event.

In the meantime, he was impressed with the performance of two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso.

“I was watching his on-board ,” Taylor said. “It’s surreal, knowing that there’s a two-time World Champion out there racing with us. It just goes to show how special this race is.”

RACER.com’s coverage of the Rolex 24 At Daytona is presented by Forgeline Motorsports, manufacturers of custom made-to-order lightweight forged aluminum street and racing performance wheels.