| January 31, 2020 Staff Report IMSA Wire Service NEW YORK, NY. – There is no better place in the world to celebrate a big victory than New York City, and that is what IMSA, Wayne Taylor Racing and their sponsors did Friday. In celebration of the team’s Rolex 24 At Daytona win last weekend, team owner Wayne Taylor, driver Ryan Briscoe and representatives from team sponsors Konica Minolta and Cadillac rang the Closing Bell at the NASDAQ Stock Market. “What an honor, and it was much bigger than I thought it would be,” team owner Wayne Taylor said. “I don’t remember being that nervous about making a speech. It is great to have this happen for us to give back to all of our sponsors including Cadillac and Konica Minolta that were here today. Without them, this third victory in four years would have never have happened.” Millions saw the market’s closing as it was broadcast across a variety of networks, including CNBC and Bloomberg, among others in the United States. Fans of the team and IMSA were also able to watch on a live stream from NASDAQ Times Square studio. “That was a new experience for me,” Briscoe said after the event. “It is always nice to be in the city and ringing the closing bell at the NASDAQ is a tremendous honor. To do this and to be with Wayne, Cadillac and Konica Minolta, it is just a massive moment to celebrate our win at the Rolex 24. I am proud to be a part of this. While driving at speeds of upwards of 190 miles per hour would make anyone nervous, Briscoe said the event brought on more pressure than winning the Rolex 24. “Please put me back behind the wheel of my car,” he said with a smile. “That is so much easier than having to do this! It was fun, and it is great to celebrate the win and to thank our sponsors on one of the world’s biggest stages.” Following the ceremony, the group ventured out into Times Square to see themselves, and highlights from the race, on a massive seven-story video board located on the façade of the NASDAQ building. For team sponsors, the day was equally exciting as both companies have ties to the New York City area. Konica Minolta’s United States headquarters are in Ramsey, New Jersey, a short 45-minute drive from the city. “This was a spectacular event today,” Sam Errigo, EVP Sales & Business Development, Konica Minolta said. “We are so proud of Wayne Taylor Racing and the entire team for their victory at the Rolex 24 last weekend. They have won three out of the last four, and to celebrate their victory by doing this today was a great experience for everyone involved. “Konica Minolta is a technology-based company. We have linked our company’s technology with our future direction of speed and agility, and that aligns so well with racing. When you have that combination, you see the results such as Wayne winning another Rolex 24.” “This was a fantastic event today to celebrate what happened over the weekend with the win by Wayne Taylor Racing,” said Rory Harvey, Vice President Sales, Service and Marketing, Cadillac. “It was a great team effort by everyone involved to get the victory, and we at Cadillac are looking forward to the rest of the season.” The Closing Bell was a perfect way for IMSA to celebrate the Rolex 24 and the start of the WeatherTech Championship season. Last year the sanctioning body visited the market before the race. The next race on the WeatherTech Championship schedule is the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Advance Auto Parts on March 21. NBC Sports’ coverage of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring begins on CNBC at 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 21 and includes a seven-and-a-half-hour window on NBCSN. Complete, flag-to-flag coverage also is available with cable or satellite authentication on the NBC Sports App and NBCSports.com, and to TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold subscribers. IMSA Radio will have live coverage throughout the weekend on IMSA.com and RadioLeMans.com, with complete race coverage also airing on SiriusXM Radio. |
