NEWS: The Powell Racing NP01-EVO Returns at Daytona

It's race week, and Powell Racing has some news!

After its debut at Barber Motorsports Park earlier this year, the Powell Racing NP01-EVO is finally returning to racing full-time for the last race of the season at Daytona International Speedway. The race at Barber ended with a P4 finish for Powell, and now the team is looking to hopefully eclipse that success with a new driver line-up of fully experienced drivers from IMSA MX-5 Cup in Jensen Mechelke, US F4 in Nick DeLucia, and Spec Miata Champion Andrew Adleta.

The Lineup

The line-up for Daytona will be:

• Nick DeLucia
• Jensen Mechelke
• Andrew Adleta

The Updates + Car

The car has had no shortage of updates since Barber, with a brand new AiM steering wheel with paddles (instead of the previous sequential shifter), a refreshed motor making more power and being more efficient on fuel, and a whole new wrap. The car has shown significant improvement, with our test driver being nearly 1 second a lap faster at our local track Harris Hill Raceway after the changes.

For those who don't know the car, what is the NP01?

The NP01 is a purpose-built, mid-engine, rear-drive endurance prototype. It weighs about 1,750 lbs, makes 185+ hp and has double wishbone suspension front and rear, Wilwood 4-piston brakes and an AiM MXS data system. Each seat comes with data logging, in-car video, radios and a spare parts package. See the full specs.

The Race Ahead

This won't be an easy race. With 12 provisional entries in the ZP2 class alone coming into the season finale, the competition will be incredibly tight in the world center of racing. On top of that, this will be the team's first full 12 hour race in the series, testing the cars and the team more than ever. Daytona International Speedway presents drivers and their cars with one of the most mechanically intensive tracks of the season, with a whopping 31 degree banking on two-thirds of a lap, hard braking zones, and high curbs pushing the cars to their absolute limit.

The team will be looking to close out the ZR4 championship this weekend alongside the ZP2 entry, so be sure to tune in at Zenith Racing Series' Official livestream all throughout this weekend.

The Schedule

Friday:

Practice*: 8:00am-5:10pm (EST)

ZR4 Qualifying: 5:20-5:35pm (EST)

ZP2 Qualifying: 6:20-6:35pm (EST)

Combined practice*: 7:00-8:00pm (EST)

*will not be livestreamed

Saturday:

National Anthem: 10:45am (EST)

Race: 11:00am-11:00pm (+1 LAP, EST)

Podium Ceremonies: 11:15pm (EST)

Sunday:

Year-End Banquet*: 3:00-5:00PM (EST)

Race With Us

Seats in the NP01 are available for full-season 2027 basis in Zenith, and arrive-and-drive in WRL and NASA. Get in touch to ask about upcoming rounds.