O'Connell: Win bigger than US titles

In the farewell appearance for the GT1 Chevy, the factory team dominated the class from the outset, with its two cars very closely matched until late problems for the #64 allowed O'Connell and his team-mates Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia to escape and clinch the win.

"It's a very special win for us, it's the biggest thing we do as a team, bigger than anything in the States," said O'Connell.

He added that the victory was particularly satisfying as the sister car had taken Chevrolet's most recent Le Mans class wins in 2004 to 2006.

"The #63 car hasn't won since 2002 and we've been second, on the same lap [as the winner] for the last two years, so to get the win after such a drought is special."

O'Connell said there had been very little to choose between the two Chevrolets until the sister car's retirement.

"They had a little bit more mid-corner grip," he said. "Both cars were pushing flat-out, like qualifying, the whole race."