LOS ANGELES - In his only visit to the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Roger Yasukawa didn't get to enjoy the full experience of the event despite finishing sixth overall.

Next weekend, the Los Angeles native hopes to change that when he returns in the No. 08 Sigalsport Ferrari 430 in the opening event of the 2010 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 season.

"When I came to Daytona for the first time in 2007, first time, I was still learning about the car and the event, and I didn't get to enjoy it 100 percent," Yasukawa said. "I was impressed by the many things taking place at the event. Hopefully, going back there, knowing event and the track, I hope I can enjoy it even more this time."

Not that Yasukawa is a stranger to racing in big events. He's competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times, scoring a pair of top-10 finishes. Competing in the IndyCar Series since 2003, he's competed in 39 races for five teams, scoring nine top-10 finishes.

"The Rolex 24 is certainly a big great race and a great place to start the season off," Yasukawa said. "Dario (Franchitti), Scott Dixon, Juan Pablo Montoya and all the great drivers are going to be there. It's certainly great to be part of this event."

Yasukawa has a number of friends in the Rolex Series paddock.

"I grew up racing against Buddy (Rice) all my life, from go-karts to Atlantics, and I was his teammate in the Indianapolis 500," Yasukawa said. "The competition level in the GRAND-AM Rolex Series is certainly very high. I'm looking forward to reuniting with Michael Valiante, Jon Fogarty and other guys I raced against in Formula Atlantics."

Yasukawa worked his way up the open-wheel ladder to the Indy cars, going from Formula Vauxhall, Barber Dodge, Formula Palmer Audi and Barber Pro to the Formula Atlantics. Coming to Daytona for the 2007 Rolex 24 - when he joined Tomas Enge, Chris Festa and Kris Szekeres in a SAMAX Pontiac Riley - he found that the Daytona Prototype required a different approach than the driving style he was used to.

"When I drove the Daytona Prototype, my mindset was almost like I was driving a formula car, and when I tried driving it like a formula car it didn't work out," Yasukawa said. "It took a lot more time than I expected to get used to the Daytona Prototype."

While this will be Yasukawa's first race in a GT sports car, he's got plenty of experience as a driving instructor for Ferrari Challenge competitors and club racers. He also will bring a different approach to Daytona than he did three years ago.

"From the mindset standpoint, I think it should be easier jumping into the GT car than the Daytona Prototype," Yasukawa said. "That's because I'm approaching it as a different dynamic of driving styles. I think driving the GT car is something where I can translate a little faster, because I'm not going into it thinking it is a formula car. I'm definitely looking forward to getting back on the track and racing the Sigalsport Ferrari. Hopefully, my teaching and coaching experience will help during this year's Rolex 24.

"The car is heavier than what I'm used to, and I will definitely need to adjust my driving style according. It might take a little time to get used to, but hopefully, the practice sessions should be enough time to get acquainted with the car."

Yasukawa will be teamed with former Rolex Series regular Gene Sigal - winner of the 2008 Grand Prix of Miami - along with fellow Californians Fred Poordad and Rusty West.

"This is going to be a totally different experience, but I'm looking forward to sharing the car with all of my teammates," Yasukawa said. "I think the biggest challenge for us is making sure the car stays in one piece and taking it to the checkered flag."