44.
Friday, June 28, 2013 at 11:02AM
Sean

The number 44. Throughout the history of sports, the number has resonated with some of the great names: Reggie Jackson, Ernie Davis, Jerry West and, of course, the great Hank Aaron.

To those reading this release, however, there’s a new 44 emerging.

Magnus Racing’s very own No. 44 Flex-Box Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.

Competing in Sunday’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, Magnus Racing will be competing in their 44th GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series race.

Having competed in every GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series race since their debut in 2010, the team carries not only the longest active streak among Porsche teams in the series, but has also holds the distinction of keeping Porsche's continuous streak in the series alive. In 2010, Magnus Racing was the sole Porsche entrant in multiple races.

In special tribute to the team this weekend, Magnus Racing will adorn the car with the names of the entire crew, but here’s an additional 44 reasons to watch Sunday’s broadcast on SPEED.

  1. One championship fight. Magnus Racing currently leads the Rolex GT points
  2. The second round of the North American Endurance Championship takes place at Watkins Glen. Magnus is the defending series champion.
  3. The third victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Richard Lietz came last weekend. Part of Magnus’s debut in 2010, Richard rejoins the team this weekend as their third driver.
  4. Richard Lietz has run with Magnus four times now, all of them at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. This will be his first visit to Watkins Glen.
  5. This is the third race in five weeks for the team, rounding out a very busy June.
  6. Six original crew members have been with the team the entire time, which we’ll celebrate on the rear wing of the car: John Bedell, Lorie Bedell, Lars Giersing, Patrick Dubuc, Thad Aagaard and Wayne Lollis.
  7. There are currently seven “Magnus Racing Porsche” items being sold on Ebay (not by us)
  8. The race starts at 8AM Pacific Time, meaning people in California have to be up early on a Saturday!! Life is hard.
  9. The team will race on Sunday in pursuit of their ninth podium in Rolex Series history.
  10. The 44 car has featured 10 drivers in its history: John Potter, Craig Stanton, Andy Lally, Richard Lietz, Jeroen Bleekemolen, Marco Holzer, René Rast, Bryan Sellers, Patrick Long, Nicolas Armindo.
  11. Ace mechanic Patrick Dubuc has been in professional racing for 11 years.
  12. Magnus Ridge Winery will rejoin the team this weekend. As the most successful wine sponsor of a Porsche team in the series, Magnus Ridge has produced a total of 12 wines in their short history.
  13. According to Chinese culture, it’s bad luck to discuss any sort of accomplishment with 13 in it… like when hospitality member Jessica Bregy joined the team (on the 13th race).
  14. The team has a combined total of 14 podium finishes in all of professional sports car competition (beyond just Rolex).
  15. Twinkies will return to shelves on July 15. Who doesn’t love Twinkies.
  16. John and Lorie Bedell have been married for over 16 years now; the duo serve as our Crew Chief and Hospitality Director, respectively.
  17. The team will feature a total of 17 team members on-site this weekend, including drivers, crew, hospitality, and useless PR people.
  18. For legal reasons, we’ll avoid any comments on things turning 18.
  19. Adele’s debut album, 19, has more plays than any other album in crew member Patrick Dubuc’s iPhone.
  20. Tucker Merten, one of our star mechanics, has been in professional racing for over 20 years.
  21. Magnus Racing switched from green to their current grey livery on race 21, The American Red Cross 250 (2011).
  22. At 22 races in to the team’s history, they were celebrating their second career podium at Watkins Glen International (2011).
  23. Sean Heckman spoke for nearly 23 hours during this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona during his pit-side webcast. We’re surprised anyone watched.
  24. Lorie Bedell remains 24 years old……. at heart.
  25. Magnus Racing took their first victory, the 50th Running of The Rolex 24 at Daytona, in their 25th race.
  26. Engineer Lars Giersing’s record for asking about dinner plans in one day is 26.
  27. Our primary sponsor, Flex-Box, joined on race 27 (Grand Prix of Miami, 2012).
  28. Andy Lally’s favorite NASCAR driver growing up was the late Davey Allison, he drove the No. 28.
  29. John Potter won his first Daytona 24, as both a driver and team owner at age 29. That’s got to be some sort of record.
  30. If you ever want to call the country of Greece, dial country code 30. If you ever want to call the Greek Church, you may not want to mention Porsche racing teams.
  31. Hospitality member Jessica Bregy has now been to 31 races. We’ve never won any of them.
  32. On race 32, the 2012 Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen, John Potter decided to drive 100% of the total race laps for the car.
  33. Magnus Racing’s second victory, the Inaugural Brickyard Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, came on race 33.
  34. Tire specialist Wayne Lollis can talk for 34 minutes straight about different types of beer… without taking a breath.
  35. Andy Lally has at least 35 paternity suits against him. Luckily, it’s easy to disprove (don’t ask why).
  36. The team will be featured this weekend on WENY for those in the Watkins Glen area; tune in to UHF channel 36 during Friday evening’s newscast.
  37. Magnus Racing’s PR group has been fired a total of 37 times.
  38. Magnus Racing’s PR group has been hired a total of 38 times.
  39. Both comedian Jack Benny and data specialist Steve Taft share the same age, 39.
  40. GRAND-AM rules will let us use up to 40 tires during this weekend’s event.
  41. John Potter has scored points in 41 of his 43 starts for the team.
  42. The answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything is 42.
  43. All-around team assistant Lt. Dan Lourenco has over 43 planned strategies for how we will one day take over the team. That dude is up to no good.
  44. So long as the below doesn’t happen to us this year, we’ll have 44 more reasons to be thankful:

 

 

The Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen will take place this Sunday, June 30. Beyond Magnus Racing’s 44th Rolex Series start, the team will look to defend their current Rolex GT championship point lead, as well as reigning champion honors in the North American Endurance Championship.

Live television coverage will begin at 11AM ET on SPEED.

Article originally appeared on Magnus Racing (http://www.magnusracing.com/).
See website for complete article licensing information.