Pruett to replace Kneifel in Corvette squad

Kniefel recently filled the position of chief steward with the FedEx Champ Car series, and will race for the last time at Sebring before he concentrates full-time on his new position.

Pruett, 41, who lost his NASCAR Winston Cup ride for 2001 with PPI Motorsports to Ricky Craven, will join the team straight after the Sebring 12 Hours. He and the team will stay at the Florida track as the team begins to prepare the C5-Rs for the Le Mans 24 Hours in June.

"We're very pleased to be able to get a proven champion like Scott," said Corvette programme manager Doug Fehan. "Scott has ample experience in endurance racing and cars in Corvette's classification to be an immediate contributor to the success of Corvette Racing."

Pruett's CV includes two SCCA Trans-Am titles, plus two in IMSA's GTO series and one in IMSA's GT Endurance Championship. In recent years, Scott has scored two wins and five pole positions in the FedEx CART Championship before going on to race in the NASCAR Busch and Winston Cup series.

"The chance to join a proven racing team at a time when their fortunes are clearly on the rise is what every driver dreams about," said Pruett. "Joining a well-knit team like Corvette Racing with drivers like Andy Pilgrim, Ron Fellows, Kelly Collins, Franck Freon and Johnny O'Connell in equipment like the Corvette C5-R is awesome."

Following next week's Sebring test, the team will travel to France for the open test day on May 6 in preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 16-17.