Mercedes-AMG factory drivers Jules Gounon, Dani Juncadella and Maro Engel helped Cooper MacNeil win a Rolex watch as he hangs up the helmet as a full-time competitor. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Most professional athletes don’t have the luxury of going out on top in their respective sport, but WeatherTech Racing’s Cooper MacNeil ended his full-time driving career by claiming the GTD Pro class victory in the 61st Rolex 24 at Daytona, one of the most iconic endurance races in auto racing that had escaped him until now.
The No. 79 WeatherTech Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 conquered the 10-car GTD Pro field, holding off the likes of Corvette Racing and Vasser Sullivan Racing, in the final hours of the crown jewel event. MacNeil took care of his drive time requirements early in the race while three factory-backed Mercedes-AMG drivers accomplished all of their tasks behind the wheel.
With assistance from teammates Maro Engel, Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon, the 30-year-old American took home a Rolex watch in his 13th start.
“Wow! Just wow,” MacNeil said. “Before this race, my greatest accomplishment in racing was finishing second at Le Mans last year. To finish my career in IMSA with a win at Daytona, you can’t ask for more. I couldn’t have done it without my dad (David MacNeil), WeatherTech and Christian Ried and his Proton team.
“Mercedes gave us three of their best drivers. They build a great car that was fast and fair today. It was us, Corvette and Lexus for the last fourth of the race. You have to have all of the elements to win here, car, drivers, support, teamwork and fast drivers. We had all of that today.”
Gounon considered it a privilege to win the Rolex 24 for the MacNeil’s and WeatherTech.
“I think it was Cooper’s last race in IMSA, so this is a proper send-off,” Gounon said.
Juncadella felt thankful to the MacNeil family for all the effort and support. Plus, he was thrilled that the No. 79 Mercedes-AMG GT3 secured the maximum amount of points since he’ll be running the entire 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season with Gounon.
Besides two pit lane penalties for spinning the rear tires while in the air and running over an air hose, it was smooth sailing for WeatherTech Racing en route to the GTD Pro class victory. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | TPF)
While the team might’ve stood on the top step of the GTD Pro podium, WeatherTech Racing really had to earn it.
Engel drove the final stint all the way up to the checkered flag and engaged in a fierce battle with Antonio Garcia (No. 3 Corvette) and Jack Hawksworth (No. 14 Lexus). The 37-year-old German driver praised his teammates for doing an awesome job throughout the race and referred to his battles with the Corvette and Lexus as a “dog fight.”
As the curtain closes on MacNeil’s time as a full-time driver, his teammates are moving forward with their careers, leaving Daytona International Speedway behind and flying to Mount Panorama for the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour on Feb. 5.
Gounon, Juncadella and Engel shared a car together for the Rolex 24, but all three will compete for different Mercedes-AMG teams at Bathurst in the Pro class.
