Wow wow wow. Great to see. Great to watch. Great on the timing screen.
Firstly how did it do agains the best GTEs (chosen the fastest lap and top speed GTEs)
Average Lap time
| Rank | Car | Fastest | Top 10 | Top 20 | Top 30 | Laps |
| 1 | 24 Chevrolet | 3:53.761 | 3:54.969 | 3:56.003 | 3:57.452 | 58 |
| 2 | 66 Ferrari | 3:56.088 | 3:57.032 | 3:57.859 | 3:59.183 | 61 |
| 3 | 21 Ferrari | 3:56.751 | 3:57.457 | 3:58.087 | 3:59.131 | 51 |
Here are the lap times. It was quicker and consistently quicker despite getting used to the track. The comparison top lap times are compared too.
But what about the top speed.
Average Maximum Speed
| Rank | Car | Top Speed | Top 10 | Top 20 | Top 30 |
| 1 | 24 Chevrolet | 305.6 | 303.7 | 301.435 | 299.65 |
| 2 | 21 Ferrari | 303 | 300.08 | 298.72 | 297.68 |
| 3 | 66 Ferrari | 298.8 | 298.24 | 297.56 | 296.8 |
The interesting thing here is that the top speeds drop off quicker than the GTEs. I think this is probably just a function of them building up the speed. I guess the top speed chart will show more consistency later in the week.
Button mentioned that the top speed wasn’t as fast as the GTEs. This was the case after the first session.
https://youtu.be/SA6HPBEtj-k
It also sounded like the main place they lose out is under brakes.
Whatever it isn’t just the top speed that got that lap time. It’s pretty good in every sector. Slightly worse in the final sector, but not the perceived stereotype those ignorant Europeans viewed the NASCAR
Those sector time comparisons.
| # | 1 | 2 | 3 | ideal lap | Actual best |
| 24 | 36.547 | 89.107 | 107.705 | 3:53.359 | 3:53.761 |
| | Rockenfeller | Rockenfeller | Rockenfeller | | |
| 86 | 36.999 | 90.340 | 107.866 | 3:55.205 | 3:56.286 |
| | Pera | Barker | Barker | | |
Better. Much better. About the same.
And how do the drivers compare? Not too many laps from them all.
Average Lap time
| Rank | Car | Fastest | Top 5 | Top 10 | Top 15 | Laps |
| 1 | Mike ROCKENFELLER (Chevrolet 24) | 3:53.761 | 3:54.437 | 3:55.319 | 3:56.721 | 23 |
| 2 | Jenson BUTTON (Chevrolet 24) | 3:54.243 | 3:56.300 | 4:01.585 | 4:48.139 | 16 |
| 3 | Jimmie JOHNSON (Chevrolet 24) | 3:55.893 | 3:57.531 | 3:59.204 | 4:01.305 | 19 |
Button had a good lap, but didn’t get that many more flyers which probably hurt his chance to make this look more consistent. Rockenfeller looked like he was entrusted to get the car where it needed to be. Jimmie got some nice running in.
Note: sorry the colors of the G56 car isn’t consistent across the max speed and lap time charts.