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Duncan Dayton '81 takes top honors in the American Le Mans Series

As owner of Patrón Highcroft Racing, Duncan Dayton ’81 thinks like the manager of the New York Yankees.

“What I have tried to instill in the guys is the same sense of pride that Derek Jeter has in putting on the Yankees pin stripes,” Dayton said.

And sure enough, less than a month before the Yankees won their 27th World Series, Dayton had his own victory to celebrate when his team finished at the top of their class in the American Le Mans Series as the LMP1 champions, taking the driver’s, team’s and manufacturer’s titles in Monterey, Calif.

Dayton, who previously raced professionally for ten years before running his factory-backed team in the American Le Mans Series, said that the Oct. 11 championship ranks as “the ultimate achievement” of his sporting career.

“It was Roger Penske that said ‘the harder you work, the luckier you become,’ and we very firmly believe in that mantra,” Dayton said. “I don't think there is a harder working group of guys in the paddock than the Patrón Highcroft Racing team.”

Dayton gives much of the credit to drivers David Brabham and Scott Sharp.

‘I am really thrilled for both of the guys,” Dayton said. “Everybody that wears the Patrón Highcroft Racing uniform has an incredible passion for this sport and to see that hard work and passion rewarded is amazing.”

Though this year’s season has come to a close, Dayton is already looking ahead – just like the Yankees.

"There will be no rest for us,” he said. “Planning for 2010 and even 2011 is already well underway.”

Read more about the win.

-Rachel Harrington

 

 

 



November 10, 2009