Rolex 24 a weekend of firsts for Lundqvist, Precision Performance

Linus Lundqvist found his first visit to Daytona International Speedway for the Roar Before the Rolex 24 three weeks ago to be a real eye-opener.

“It was my first time in the U.S., and I remember my first time eyeing the track and the grandstands,” said Lundqvist, who hails from Sweden. “It blew my mind. There’s nothing like it in Europe.”

Lundqvist earned his seat in the No. 47 Precision Performance Motorsports Lamborghini Huracan GT3 via winning the 10th Sunoco Whelen Challenge. The European competition encompasses several different series, with Lundqvist winning the BRDC British F3 Championship.

“Coming to the first time for the Roar meant a lot of new stuff -- a new country, a new track, a new team,” Lundqvist said. “I think I’ve l have adapted pretty well. I’ve felt welcome ever since the second I stepped in.”

Precision Performance Motorsports is also new to the Rolex 24 At Daytona. While the team concentrated on NASCAR's Xfinity Series and K&N Pro Series East throughout its 15-year history, team owner Rick Gdovic has now turned his attention to the GT Daytona class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship while returning to IMSA’a Super Trofeo North America.

“It’s PPM’s first time at the Rolex 24,” Lundqvist said. “They come from the NASCAR side of it, and they’ve doing a real good job. It’s quite a learning curve for both me and the team, but it really helps with the experienced people and drivers on the team.”

PPM will have a four-driver lineup, with Steve Dunn, Don Yount and Brandon Gdovic -- son of the car owner -- sharing the No. 47 Lamborghini.

Lundqvist lost the lead in the Sunoco Whelen competition entering the F3 season finale. However, a perfect debut in his first race at Silverstone locked up his unique prize -- a funded test and seat in the Rolex 24.

“I hope I can get to do more of this type of racing,” Lundqvist said. “Obviously, I plan to continue in single-seater and my target is to do Formula 1 in the near future, but this is very tempting, as well. To be able to do my first endurance race here at the Rolex 24 is really cool. This is a great opportunity for young drivers.”