As it turns out, Ricky Taylor's emotional win at the Grand-Am Rolex Series season finale in Lime Rock was his last for SunTrust Racing. One of Wayne's sons is on the move for 2013, as Ricky switches to fellow Corvette Daytona Prototype squad Spirit of Daytona Racing next year.
Taylor will partner Richard Westbrook, thus giving Troy Flis's team the same pairing for the entire season. Westbrook drove with fellow GM factory driver Antonio Garcia in most 2012 races, but with Garcia's primary commitment the Corvette Racing C6.R in the American Le Mans Series, Westbrook co-drove with Michael Valiante on several occasions.
Garcia will serve as SoD's third driver at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and Sahlen's Six Hours at the Glen, two of the three legs of Grand-Am's North American Endurance Championship.
For Taylor, the move comes after three years at SunTrust, where he accumulated 10 poles and seven race wins. That leaves a spot open alongside SunTrust stronghold Max Angelelli, who's driven for the team since its inception.
“After three great years with the SunTrust team, I have learned an incredible amount and am extremely thankful for the time that I had with the team,” Taylor said. “I am also looking forward to the opportunity to drive for Troy Flis and the Spirit of Daytona team as they have proven to be a top team and I anticipate some great results and learning a lot from all of the guys including Richard who I have watched race for many years.”
With Action Express confirming an altered lineup on Monday, this makes three of the four Corvette DP squads changing its driver lineups for 2013. The lone holdovers are GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing, expected to continue with the successful longtime pairing of Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty despite going winless this season.