Troubled times for Johnston's Rolex 24

The glint in Derek Johnston’s eye may be dimmed by lack of sleep and, well, a troubled Doran Racing #77, but he has yet to lose any of his typical enthusiasm.

At a press call at Daytona International Speedway, Johnston – the winner of the 2010 Sunoco Rolex 24 At Daytona Challenge – his disappointment with the progress of the Doran McDonald’s #77 was palpable.

“[A race car] can be all sweetness and light one day and like your mother-in-law the next: a real nightmare,” observed Johnston, 47.

The Rolex 24 has, for Johnston and the Doran Racing team, had its share of clichéd lows and highs.

Ahead of his first stint – a double header at just after midnight – the Ford Dallara required a replacement gearbox and drive train, which took two hours and 70-odd laps. The gearbox replaced was brand new, merely adding a pinch of salt to the wound.

 And in his second stint, a daylight one, Johnston sat strapped for an hour after a routine brake-and-caliper replacement revealed that the axle required changing.

 Better news, however, was Johnston’s unofficial best time recorded by Doran Racing as 1.45.60, which was less than two seconds off the best times posted.

Although a podium place is unlikely in the extreme, Johnston’s already a winner to family, friends and fans – and the latter has been added to over the past couple of days at Daytona Beach. Many for his fans stayed up all night in case he raced again, while Holly, his 16-year-old daughter eschewed her hotel room to stay with the team.

“You’re here all night, Dad,” she said, “so I will be too.”

Terry D. Thompson, Sales Manager Eastern US & International Sales for Sunoco Race Fuels, added, “She’ll tell her children and her grandchildren of her Rolex 24. It’s already a family legend.”