The latest results for the Roush sponsored Rehagen Racing team show some promising results, with the No. 59 and No. 60 finishing in the top 10 at Daytona Beach.  For some time, it seemed as though the Ford Mustangs would take spots 1 and 2, but some faulty communications during a late pit stop caused both cars some crucial time losses.  These losses would prove to be detrimental to the two Roush racers, but would still leave them finishing with decent points standing.

"One mistake got us today," said a dejected Roush who started the No. 59 ROUSH/Valvoline Mustang in 11th position, his career-best. "It looked like we had a real chance for a win today. We'll get it figured out though."

It will be exciting to see how this year’s season folds out, with Jack Roush’s son participating in the ranks of the Koni Challenge Series.  This race marked the first time Jack was able to watch his son compete in person.  It’s got to be exciting for the motorsport legend to watch, but he has to also keep a close eye on his NASCAR racing team.

Check out the official PR from Roush Performance below.

Official Press Release

ROUSH®/Valvoline Post-Race Report - KONI Challenge @ Daytona International Speedway

REHAGEN RACING PLACES TWO MUSTANGS IN TOP-10 AT DAYTONA SEASON-OPENER

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 25, 2008) - For a spell, it looked like the Rehagen Racing team would finish one-two in the Fresh From Florida 200, the season-opening event on the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series. Hugh Plumb in the No. 60 Mustang and Dean Martin in the No. 59 ROUSH®/Valvoline Mustang were running nose-to-tail in the top spots at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway with a nearly ten second lead over the third place car.

Unfortunately, miscommunication and confusion during a late pit stop dropped both cars back in the field with precious few minutes remaining in the three-hour race to make up the ground. By the time the checkered flag flew on the three-hour event, Plumb (with co-driver Mike Canney) finished sixth while Martin was able to make a last lap pass and will be credited with Jack Roush, Jr. for a tenth place finish.

"One mistake got us today," said a dejected Roush who started the No. 59 ROUSH/Valvoline Mustang in 11th position, his career-best. "It looked like we had a real chance for a win today. We'll get it figured out though."

Both cars led the race at various points; Plumb led a total of 20 laps, Martin was at the point for 10 laps, and Roush led the field around the 3.56-mile stadium road course for two laps. This event combined both the Grand Sport (GS) and Street Tuner (ST) classes of the KONI Challenge on the racetrack simultaneously so making your way through traffic would prove crucial to a successful finish as there were 89 cars competing in the race.

"The racing was really intense out there," Roush said after the event. "I expected it to be a real meat-grinder with all the cars on the track and am a little surprised that there were not more accidents. It was intense for sure, but not as bad as I had anticipated that it would be."

As a side note, this event marked the first time that motorsports legend and NASCAR team owner Jack Roush had the opportunity to watch his son compete in person in the professional ranks of the KONI Challenge Series.

The No. 59 Ford Mustang, based out of the Rehagen Racing shop in Livonia, Mich., carries sponsorship from ROUSH Performance, Valvoline, Simply Wow and Battery Brain. In 2006, this was the highest-finishing Mustang in the series.

The Fresh From Florida 200 was taped for a Saturday, February 2 broadcast on SPEED Channel at 8 p.m. Eastern. The next event on the KONI Challenge schedule will take place at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Conn., on May 26-28.