Ferrari Challenge Round 2 - Daytona's High-Octane Showdown!
- Michael Lujan
- Apr 25
- 3 min read
Dear Drivers, Teammates and fellow Tifosi,
Daytona International Speedway, revered as the "World Center of Racing," holds a storied place in motorsports history and is a cornerstone in Ferrari’s racing legacy. Its grueling 24 Hours of Daytona became a stage for Ferrari’s dominance, with iconic victories like the 1967 sweep by the 330 P3/4, 412 P, and 330 P4—famously celebrated as a defiant 1-2-3 finish against Ford’s GT40. This triumph inspired the naming of legendary Ferrari road cars, from the 1968 Daytona 365 GTB/4 to the modern masterpiece, the Icona Series Daytona SP3. Ferrari’s history of success at this high-speed track cemented Daytona’s significance in Maranello’s lore, embodying the brand’s relentless pursuit of speed, innovation, and racing glory, and making it a fitting stage for Round 2 of the 2025 Ferrari Challenge North America.
Representing Team FCNJ at Daytona this year:
SATURDAY – RACE 1
The weekend delivered intense racing across the Copa Shell and Copa Shell-AM classes. In Race 1, Osvaldo Gaio rolled through the start in P10. Gaio drove strongly and consistently, climbing to P8 before a full-course yellow flag halted his charge. Jeff Nunberg, starting P8, went full throttle from the start, gaining five spots early on with his signature bold race craft before a shunt sidelined him with a DNF… But his story did not end there.
SUNDAY – RACE 2
Race 2 saw Gaio start in P10 again. Early on, Gaio was charging through the pack, but an incident exiting Turn 6 ended his race prematurely. Meanwhile, in Copa Shell-AM, Nunberg redeemed his Race 1 misfortune with a remarkable drive which the race announcers called the “Drive of the Day.” Starting from the back of the grid, Nunberg unleashed an epic comeback, rocketing past 11 cars in just 11 laps of green-flag racing to nab the final spot on the podium at P3. Talk about a redemption arc!
The weekend wasn’t just about racing—it was a Ferrari spectacle! From the electric vibes on track to the elegant “Sunset Soiree at Mama Foo Foo,” it was a pure experience of Ferrari’s passion for speed and style.
With Daytona’s checkered flags behind them, our drivers are revved up for Round 3 in Miami. Nunberg’s sitting pretty at third overall in Copa Shell-AM, just one point off second, while Gaio’s holding third in the Copa Gentlemen Shell Class, also a single point from second.
Watch our weekend recap video here: Recap Video
Watch replays of our races here:
CBS Sports Network will air the Ferrari Challenge extended highlights show on Saturday, April 19th at 9:00pm ET with an encore presentation on Sunday, April 20th at 12:00pm ET.
Next up: It’s full speed ahead to the Miami International Autodrome on May 14th-18th, just two weeks after the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, for Ferrari Racing Days, where the party—and the horsepower—will crank up to 11. In addition to the Ferrari 296 Challenge racing series, the Tifosi will be witness to all things Ferrari Racing, including Club Competizioni GT, the XX Programme, F1 Clienti, and the Sport Prototipi Clienti. Buckle up, Miami, we’re coming for ya!
As always, Forza Ferrari!
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