The SunTrust Pontiac Daytona Prototype (DP) qualified by Michael Valiante earned pole position for round four of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series at Virginia International Raceway. The qualifying order was changed after post race inspection, sending the original pole sitting 01 Lexus Riley and the GAINSCO Pontiac 99 to the back of the grid for a rear wing violation. In addition, the front row starting Banner Pontiac of Kelly Collins was also relegated to the back row based on a ride height violation.

The SunTrust team feverishly rebuilt the front of the No. 10 Dallara following a heavy hit in Mexico City just seven days ago. Valiante had the wheel for qualifying and put down a time of 1:43.329 good for what became the pole position. Valiante is teamed with past Grand-Am champion Max Angelelli.

“I think it’s a big, big accomplishment for this team because a week ago this car didn’t even have four wheels on it,” Valiante said. The crew guys did a great job and the car’s been great ever since we rolled it off the trailer, which was encouraging to them because they put so much time into it. Considering this car is so new and we haven’t even had a full test day, it’s a huge accomplishment for the SunTrust team. During the session, I actually went off once because I was pushing so hard with it being such an important race for SunTrust. I gave it everything I had trying to get everything I could out of the car. It’s a great day for SunTrust. It’s a great accomplishment for SunTrust to be on the pole, so I’m quite pleased.”

It’s challenging (at the start) here because it’s one of those tracks where you can get stranded on the outside,” Valiante said on inheriting pole position. I think being on the pole, now, changes everything. Again, a great result for the team with such a short amount of time to prepare since Mexico. Now I don’t have to be worried about starting on the outside. It’s great. The team deserves it after all it’s been through. It’s amazing. I’m happy for them."