IndyCar star leads team to Rolex win
Helio Castroneves kept the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-05 ahead of the field during the final 30 minutes to lift MSR and co-drivers Tom Blomqvist, Oliver Jarvis and Simon Pagenaud to victory Sunday in the 60th anniversary of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
The win led to Castroneves’ signature celebratory move of climbing the fence, which he made famous during four Indianapolis 500 wins.
It was Castroneves’ second consecutive Rolex 24 victory. Last year, he won the race as part of Wayne Taylor Racing, then climbed a fence in Victory Lane. This time, Castroneves fought off the No. 10 WTR Acura and driver Ricky Taylor to win, then stopped at the start-finish line and climbed the catch fence.
Loic Duval brought the No. 5 JDC Miller MotorSports Cadillac DPi-V.R in third place with teammates Tristan Vautier, Richard Westbrook and Ben Keating.
The No. 81 DragonSpeed USA ORECA LMP2 rallied from five laps down to win the LMP2 class of the twice-around-the-clock race. Despite freezing cold conditions overnight at DIS, the group of highly-inspired young drivers were blazing fast come Sunday sunrise.
The No. 74 Riley Motorsports team continued to own the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship LMP3 class by defending its Rolex 24 title. Gar Robinson, who was last year’s LMP3 driver champion, joined Felipe Fraga, Kay van Berlo and Michael Cooper to claim class honors once again.
The No. 33 Sean Creech Motorsport Ligier JS P320 driven by Joao Barbosa, Seb Priaulx, Lance Willsey and Malthe Jakobsen secured second-place honors in this hard-fought battle. Barbosa is a four-time Rolex 24 winner.
The No. 9 Pfaff Motorsports team won the the inaugural GTDPro class with drivers Felipe Nasr, Matt Campbell and Mathieu Jaminet.
The No. 16 Wright Motorsports team won the GTD class with drivers Jan Heylen, Ryan Hardwick, Richard Lietz and Zacharie Robichon.
College Basketball Invitational returns
After a successful 2021 tournament, the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) will return to the Ocean Center for 2022.
From its conception in 2008 until 2019 the event was on college campuses. But, in 2021, CBI broke with tradition and hosted the entire event at one location, the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. And after receiving high-praise for both the format and venue, the CBI will return March 19-23.
“The response we received before, during, and after last year’s CBI was overwhelming, especially when you consider the circumstances the country faced at the time,” said Gazelle Group President Rick Giles in a news release. “Because of that, we felt a return to Daytona Beach was warranted. With the location of the hotel being on the beach and the arena being across the street from the hotel, it really is the perfect setting for what we hope will be another exciting CBI.”
College Sports
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University women’s basketball will face Lynn at at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 9.
ERAU men’s basketball will face Lynn at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9.
Games are at the ERAU Sports Complex, 601 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach.
For more information, visit erauathletic.com/tickets.
Kids Can Fish, Too
The Halifax Sport Fishing Club’s will host a Kids Can Fish Too Carnival style fishing clinic from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Feb. 13, at 3431 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange.
Children ages 5-15 are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult. The clinic will teach kids about fishing, rules, regulations, safety, knots, cast netting and conservation in a carnival style atmosphere with prizes.
The first 50 children get a free rod and reel. The event is free.
For more information, visit hsfc.com. For a reservation, email Gina Perri Hesch at kidscanfishtoo@hsfc.com.
Me Strong race Feb. 5
Me Strong will host its 5K run at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, starting on East Indiana Avenue in DeLand.
Me Strong 5K 18 and younger victory lap entry will cost $20 and for those older than 18 the cost will be $35.
This is a USATF race certified 5K through DeLand. For information to to register, visit thedriven.net/event-registration/site.race_reg/eid/39964012389/?&&/.
Deltona recreation leagues
Deltona Parks & Recreation has added new recreation options for families.
•Youth Flag Football will play March and April. Registration deadline is Feb. 11. The cost is $50 per child for ages 5-12. At Wes Crile Park, 1537 Norbert Terrace. Games will be Saturday mornings with one practice during the week. Coaches needed.
•Adult Basketball League will play in March and April. Registration deadline is Feb. 18. The cost is $400 per team or join an interest list and be placed on a team (available at Wes Crile). Age 18 and older. Wes Crile Park, 1537 Norbert Terrace.
•Adult Kickball League will play March and April. Registration deadline is Feb. 28. The cost is $350 per team or join an interest list and be placed on a team (available at Wes Crile). Ages 18 and older. Dewey O. Boster Sports Complex, 1200 Saxon Blvd.
Space is limited. For more information, call (386) 878-8940.
Tennis club meets
The Redneck Tennis Club for seniors 55 and older plays tennis at 7:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Detwiler Park, 701 Horton Ave., New Smyrna Beach.
New members welcome. Participants should bring racket and something to drink. All experience levels welcome. Free to play.
For more information, call (386) 663-4918 or (386) 847-8759.
City hosts three youth sports clinics in February
The City of Daytona Beach is hosting free clinics for three youth sports programs, T-ball, baseball and soccer, Monday to Wednesday, Feb. 7 to 9, and Feb. 14 to 16.
Youth can participate every day the clinics are offered, which are from 5 to 7 p.m.
•The T-ball clinic is for youth ages 4 to 5 and will be at Derbyshire Park and Sports Complex at 849 Derbyshire Road. The clinic will teach children the fundamentals of baseball and, most importantly, sportsmanship. Participating youth will need to wear rubber cleats and provide their own baseball glove.
•Little League Baseball for youth ages 6 to 12 will have the opportunity to learn hitting, catching, throwing, fielding and base running at this clinic at Bethune Point Park at 11 Bellevue Ave. Participating youth will need to wear rubber cleats and bring a baseball glove.
•The soccer clinic is for youth ages 4 to 12 and will be at Municipal Stadium at 3917 LPGA Blvd. Participants will learn the basic fundamentals of soccer, including passing, dribbling, trapping, receiving a pass, goalkeeping, precision and shooting. Participating youth will need to provide their own shin guards.
The clinics are free, however, participating youth should register at codb.us/activities. The baseball clinics are sponsored in part by the Daytona Tortugas Care Foundation. For more information, call (386) 671-3483 or email bethunecharles@codb.us.
Reel in the Fun children’s fishing tournament
Ormond Beach Department of Leisure Services will host Reel in the Fun free children’s fishing catch and release tournament at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at Central Park I, 601 Fleming Ave., Ormond Beach.
Preregistration is required by Feb. 16. The event is open to Ormond Beach residents only. Teams may include one adult and up to two children.
To register, call (386) 676-3250.
