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While Friday’s announcement confirming the conceptual class structure for next year’s unified sports car championship stole the headlines, SPEED.com has learned of another significant development that could ultimately see Daytona Prototypes racing on the hallowed grounds of Le Mans.

Multiple sources have confirmed that preliminary discussions are underway with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest on the possible addition of DPs to the famed twice-around-the-clock French endurance classic.

If a deal is reached with the ACO, it’s believed the DPs would compete in a small exhibition class, similar to what was done nearly 40 years ago when the French organizers invited a select number of American stock cars to compete, as part of a cooperative arrangement with NASCAR.

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Michael Shank Racing’s Ozz Negri, who would also jump at the opportunity to race at Le Mans in a DP, added:

“It might not be the sharpest-looking car around but it's the car where the driver makes the difference,” he said. “The car doesn't have as much downforce as the other [Le Mans] classes, so the driver has a lot more input.

“For a driver, that's what we look for. There's not a better recipe than the one that we have.”

And while longtime open-wheel turned sports car entrant hasn’t given up hopes of one day fielding a car in the Indy 500, he’s also kept a close eye on Le Mans. In fact, he says he wouldn’t do it in any other car but a DP, if given the chance.

"I support what has supported me, which is [GRAND-AM],” Shank said. “The Daytona Prototype category for me has changed my life. Literally, from a barely holding on open-wheel team to be solidly in place where we could buy our own building, [to winning the Rolex 24].

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