Jaguar in the Lead, but Nissans and Porsches Close at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. —  A Jaguar and two Nissans battled into the early morning hours in the closely contested Daytona 24 Hours, with a group of Porsches still within reach of the leaders.

Scott Pruett, starting a comeback from serious foot, leg and back injuries suffered last year, had the defending champion Jaguar XJR-12 prototype in the lead nine hours into the twice-around-the-clock race at Daytona International Speedway.

Pruett, who was injured in a crash last March during an Indy-car test, joined fellow American Davy Jones, one of last year’s winners, and Englishman Derek Warwick and Brazilian Raul Boesel in keeping the Jaguar at or near the front from the start.

Close behind were two of the European Group C Nissan R90C’s.