logo
Daytona win caps off historic 24 hour grand slam for Tandy

Daytona win caps off historic 24 hour grand slam for Tandy

Yahoo28-01-2025
'I won't forget this feeling,' Nick Tandy told RACER after becoming the first driver in history to complete the 'Grand Slam' of overall 24-hour race victories at Le Mans, Nürburgring, Spa and now Daytona following last weekend's Rolex 24 Hours.
The 40-year-old Briton's personal achievement, which came on the day that Porsche captured a 20th overall win in the Rolex 24, deserves significant recognition. It's a unique feat which cements his place in motorsport history.
Tandy, who remains at the top of his game, also has the chance to go even further than his 'Grand Slam' in just a handful of weeks.
If he wins Round 2 of the IMSA SportsCar Championship in March at the Sebring 12 Hours, he will complete a further record, overall wins at all three of IMSA's Blue Riband enduros.
Previously, Tandy scored an astounding overall win at Petit Le Mans in 2015 in a GTLM class Porsche in the rain. And if a Sebring 12 Hours win happens he'll surely be well on his way to winning the IMSA GTP title too.
Tandy's resume includes a remarkable overall victory at Petit Le Mans in a GTLM Porsche. Jake Galstad/Motorsport Images
Post-race on Sunday, Tandy was – unsurprisingly – extremely emotional, both visibly and audibly, and near speechless when RACER spoke with him before he returned to the ongoing celebrations in the paddock.
'Well the thing is,' he said when asked to describe how much winning at Daytona means to him, as a stock car racing enthusiast. 'I first came here in 2008. The first time I came here was to watch the 500 when I was doing F3 testing. So when the chance came up to actually race here in 2011, it was mind-blowing, and it still is mind-blowing to race here.
'It's like Indy. We race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and it's like a cathedral, hallowed ground in motorsport. As a stock car fan, I always dreamt of coming here to watch stock car racing, and now I race here in the infield.
'When you come here, to these big races, you expect to win,' he added when asked to reflect on his 'Grand Slam' achievement and his place in sportscar racing history. 'If you didn't, then why bother?
'So when you do go win these important ones, and you expect it, it doesn't feel as big. It's great, of course it is, because it doesn't happen often. But, I guess, when you actually stand back and look at it, and think: actually, there are so many people trying to win these races.
'You see them, you talk to them, and you think about the fact that you've won them yourself, it makes it different to look back on the moments.
'It's a different for me right now, here. Since I won Spa, I realised that nobody had ever won the four big 24-hour races outright before. So it was always a massive thing coming here to try and tick the box, to be the first.
'I've joked with Earl (Bamber) since he won the Nürburgring 24 in 2023, and he's always joked: 'I'm going to come to Daytona and I'm going to do it before you!' and I've quietly thought 'No you're ****ing not!' And now we've ended that!
'And Porsche is a big part of the reason. It does help to be with the most successful sportscar brand in history, but you've got to work to put yourself in the car. So this is something else really.'
Story originally appeared on Racer
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mets' lineup change pays off in win over Brewers as stars step up: 'Whatever it takes to win'
Mets' lineup change pays off in win over Brewers as stars step up: 'Whatever it takes to win'

Yahoo

time30 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Mets' lineup change pays off in win over Brewers as stars step up: 'Whatever it takes to win'

Riding a four-game losing streak and coming off a disheartening loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader just hours before, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza made a surprise change for the nightcap. Francisco Lindor was taken out of the leadoff spot in favor of Brandon Nimmo. Lindor, who was hit second, had led off for the Mets since last May (191 starts) and excelled, but the second-year skipper swapped the two veterans, and it paid off. With the game scoreless in the second, the bottom of the Mets lineup loaded the bases with two outs for Nimmo. Advertisement Nimmo jumped on the first pitch from flamethrowing phenom Jacob Misiorowski and deposited it over the right field wall to put the Mets up 4-0 after the grand slam. "Big momentum shift, especially against him. He's done really well since he's been in the big leagues. Nice to get a lead there," Nimmo said of the home run after the game. "It was a cool moment. You could feel the crowd getting behind us and anticipating a blow right here. Going up there, not trying to do too much. When it went out, it was definitely cool. The crowd went wild. The energy was palpable in the stadium." Lindor followed with a solo shot to make Mendoza look like a genius. "It's baseball," Mendoza said of the results with a smile. "I'm gonna make a lot of decisions when I'm making out a lineup, when I'm making a pitching change. They're gonna work and they're not gonna work and when they don't work, it's on me and when they work, it's on the player. It's as simple as that." Advertisement Nimmo and Lindor combined to pick up five hits and score all seven of the Mets' runs in their eventual win. But the lineup change and productive game -- whether a direct result of the swap or not -- could not have happened without both players accepting it. "Look, you're talking about two really good players. For me, as a manager, to make those types of decisions, it's a lot easier when they're all in," Mendoza explained. "When you get superstars that are willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win a baseball game, as a manager, that's all you need. It's a privilege for me and I'm glad that they went out there and they executed and we got good results there." "I've told Mendy I don't care where I hit," Nimmo said. "Francisco had a great game as well. Whatever helps us win, that's what I'm down for." "Whatever it takes to win. Nimmo came out today, set the tone, hit a grand slam. He did fantastic today," Lindor said. "Whatever it takes to win. I don't have to hit in one place, I'll hit wherever the team thinks is the best thing." Advertisement Mendoza didn't commit to this lineup for the series finale on Thursday but said he will continue to be flexible when they are looking for ways to win games. And a win on Thursday would mean the Mets' first series win since June 10-12 against the Nationals. The Mets are pleased with the results of Wednesday night's game, especially after how they let the lead slip in Game 1 earlier in the day and their overall lack of wins lately. It's something the team believes they can build on and shows that they are better than this current stretch may indicate. "We're a good team. There's good hitters here," Lindor said of his team's resilience. "Everyone is playing for each other. Everyone is striving to be better. This is a tough stretch. We gotta go out there and take it. And for everybody here to go out in the second game and have a sense of urgency of winning, it's good."

Brewers phenom Jacob Misiorowski gets tagged for 1st time in loss to Mets
Brewers phenom Jacob Misiorowski gets tagged for 1st time in loss to Mets

Yahoo

time34 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Brewers phenom Jacob Misiorowski gets tagged for 1st time in loss to Mets

New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) runs the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo (9) hits a grand slam during the second inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Milwaukee Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski pitches during the second inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Milwaukee Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski pitches during the second inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Milwaukee Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski pitches during the first inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Milwaukee Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski pitches during the first inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) runs the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo (9) hits a grand slam during the second inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Milwaukee Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski pitches during the second inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Milwaukee Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski pitches during the second inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Milwaukee Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski pitches during the first inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) NEW YORK (AP) — Jacob Misiorowski made everything look so easy in his first three major league starts. Now he knows it's not. The hard-throwing rookie finally got knocked around Wednesday, serving up back-to-back homers as the Milwaukee Brewers lost 7-3 to the New York Mets in the second game of a day-night doubleheader at Citi Field. Advertisement Barely touched by opposing batters since getting called up from the minors last month, Misiorowski (3-1) gave up five runs, five hits and three walks over 3 2/3 innings in his fourth career outing. Brandon Nimmo connected for a grand slam in the second and a slumping Francisco Lindor followed with another longball off Misiorowski to give the Mets a 5-0 lead. 'He wasn't in sync tonight, for sure. You could see it early. He'd have it for one pitch and then you could just see the ball wasn't coming out of his fingers the same. You could see the frustration building," Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. 'That's too good of a team and too good of a lineup. (These are) the days you realize how good these guys are, all major league players. It's so tough to perform at the highest level and be consistent. But when you're off a little bit, it can be the difference, and Miz just wasn't in sync.' A touted prospect, the 6-foot-7 Misiorowski had more than lived up to the hype since his arrival. Advertisement He began his career with 11 hitless innings and then a scoreless start in a win over Pirates ace Paul Skenes before a crowd of 42,774 in Milwaukee last week. The 23-year-old right-hander carried a perfect game into the seventh June 20 at Minnesota and racked up 19 strikeouts in his first 16 big league innings. 'He has amazing stuff,' Nimmo said. Misiorowski threw 62 pitches at least 100 mph in his first three games, and opposing batters were 3 for 49 (.061) against him — making him the first pitcher in the modern era (since 1900) to have as many wins as hits allowed through three career starts. 'He's really good. Crazy future ahead of him,' Lindor said. 'It's going to be fun to watch him and fun to play against him.' Advertisement But on this night, Misiorowski walked consecutive batters with two outs in the second and was unable to corral a high comebacker off the bat of No. 9 hitter Hayden Senger. The ball glanced off Misiorowski's glove and spun away from second baseman Brice Turang for an infield single that loaded the bases. 'There was a fastball at the bottom of the zone for a walk that I thought was there. But I thought, good spot, and maybe get it up a little bit more," Misiorowski said. "Just frustrated at myself for not making a play.' Nimmo pulled the next pitch, a 96 mph slider, to right field for his third career slam and second this season. Lindor then drove a 1-2 fastball to right-center for his 17th home run. Advertisement 'I threw good pitches and they hit 'em. Plain and simple as that," Misiorowski said. "I mean, you're facing the best of the best. They're getting paid what they're getting paid for a reason.' Misiorowski said his problem was mechanical. 'My fingers were just a little too far on the right side of the ball, and it kind of spun a little different than I'm used to," he said. 'I think I came back pretty well after that. ... I fixed it that next inning.' Murphy said Misiorowski didn't feel good while warming up in the bullpen, and that carried over to the game. 'His whole body was not in sync,' the manager explained. 'All the arms and legs, it's hard to sync it all up.' Advertisement Misiorowski came out firing 100 mph fastballs, touching 102 mph against Lindor in the first inning — but it didn't last. 'He learned his lesson. He's ticked about it. Even some of the sequencing he's ticked about,' Murphy said. 'He can see it that there's just a really fine line between being dominant and being just OK.' Misiorowski, however, won't dwell on this disappointment. 'It's done. Use the old Tiger Woods approach and move on to the next hit. Move on to the next pitch. It is what it is. I got a loss but, oh well,' he said. "It's frustrating. But at the same time like, young career, it's good figuring it out now. Not when we're in the playoffs and it matters most.' ___ AP MLB:

Encarnacion-Strand hits his 1st career grand slam to power Reds' rally to beat Red Sox 8-4
Encarnacion-Strand hits his 1st career grand slam to power Reds' rally to beat Red Sox 8-4

Washington Post

timean hour ago

  • Washington Post

Encarnacion-Strand hits his 1st career grand slam to power Reds' rally to beat Red Sox 8-4

BOSTON — Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit his first career grand slam during a five-run seventh inning and the Cincinnati Reds rallied to beat the Boston Red Sox 8-4 on Wednesday night. Elly De La Cruz, TJ Friedl and Santiago Espinal added RBIs for the Reds. Nick Martinez (6-8) pitched 6 2/3 innings, yielding four runs off nine hits to help Cincinnati avoid being swept in the three-game interleague series.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store