GRAND-AM TALKING POINTS.(Fan Guide)

Byline: Travis Braun

DALLARA DEBUT

New and redesigned Daytona Prototypes were allowed this year for the first time, but many didn't debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona because of time constraints. Those cars included the new Dallara Automobili chassis, which is a redesigned Doran chassis that SunTrust Racing and Doran Racing both will field in the next round at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This is the first time SunTrust has deviated from Riley's chassis. The Grand-Am paddock has high expectations for Dallara, given that the constructor drove out every competitor in the IndyCar Series. A possible third Dallara with a Ford powerplant could be seen later in the season.

CRAWFORD AND LOLA, TOO

At Homestead, Crawford Race Cars also should put its new car into competition for the first time. Alex Job Racing-the only full-time Crawford team in the series-hopes to update its car in time for the race. Childress-Howard Motorsports, a partnership between Richard Childress Racing and the factory Crawford team of Howard Motorsports, will race a partial schedule with the redesigned chassis this year. Krohn Racing also will debut its new Lola chassis in competition at Homestead. The Lolas did not turn satisfactory lap times in winter testing, and two crashes forced the team to suspend the chassis' debut until after Daytona.

PIRELLI PROBLEMS

Watch for Pirelli's new spec tire to have a large effect on the 2008 season. More than 22 flats or blowouts occurred at Daytona. Despite the significant increase in tire trouble from last year, Pirelli said debris and other outside influences were to blame, so it has not proposed a solution. Despite Hoosier's greater durability, punctures did influence the 2007 prototype championship. In the season finale at Miller Motorsports Park, the three title contenders all had punctures within two laps. It could be worse this year.