DAYTONA BEACH -- Juan Pablo Montoya wheeleed the 01 Chip Ganassi Racing BMW/Riley past AJ. Almendinger in the No. 60 Michael Shank Racing Ford/Riley to take over the top overall spot in the 51st running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway with one hour to go.
The two battled back and forth following an early yellow flag near the end of the hour. At the time of the yellow, the top four cars were within four seconds.
But after making an emergency pitstop, Almendinger in the No. 60, dropped to third, nearly a lap down, with less than 37 minutes to go in the race. Racing in the GT class was close as well with Rene Rast in the No. 52 APR Motorsport Audi R8 GRAND-AM leading a group of seven cars on the lead lap.
Rast was 1.161 seconds clear of Anthony Lazzaro in the No. 69 Ferrari F458 from AIM Autosport FXDD. The pole-sitting No. 44 Magnus Racing Porsche GT3 was next in the queue with Richard Lietz at the wheel.
There was no change in GX as David Donohue continued to lead for Napleton Racing. The No. 16 Porsche Cayman was nine laps up on Seth Thomas and the No. 22 Bullet Racing Cayman.