Mark Martin to make Grand-Am debut
“I’ve heard good things about Iowa Speedway and know it’s Rusty Wallace’s pride and joy," Martin said. “I'm looking forward to driving the Daytona Prototype for the first time and I'm also very excited to see and race at Iowa Speedway. Co-driving with Shane will be fun. I know he can get the job done; he will be a big asset in helping me get comfortable in the car during our test sessions. I love road racing and sports car racing. I just need to get used to the car, and with the help of Steve Southard, I feel that won't take very long."
“We built a state-of-the-art track we call ‘America’s Place to Race,’ and it’s a privilege to have a world-class driver like Mark Martin race with us," Clement said. “The Rolex Series brings Daytona-style racing to Iowa’s newest and finest road course, right here at Iowa Speedway."
Shane Lewis, who will drive with Martin in Iowa, said the combination of NASCAR and Grand-Am racing experience on the Southard team should benefit the Iowa event.
“Everyone at Southard Motorsports is really excited about having Mark joining us at Iowa, and no one is happier about it than I am," Lewis said. “I’ve been asked if I am worried about how little track time Mark will have in the PLP Lexus Riley before he’ll be running wheel-to-wheel in the race. I just sort of look at them funny. Mark is in the elite of the elite in the NEXTEL Cup Series. The guy was leading the points race earlier this year, and he has won the Rolex 24 twice. The man knows what he is doing. He’ll be fine in the car."