IMSA - Daytona 24 Hours

The Daytona 24 Hours returns for its 64th running at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. This endurance race, known officially as the Rolex 24 At Daytona, opens the 2026 IMSA SportsCar Championship season. The race brings together 61 cars across four classes for a full day of competition on the famous circuit.

About the Daytona 24 Hours

The Daytona 24 Hours represents the first major automobile race of the year in North America. The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) sanctions this endurance competition, which runs continuously for 24 hours. Rolex serves as the title sponsor, a partnership that dates back to 1992. Winners in all classes receive a Rolex Daytona watch, a valued tradition of this race.

The race holds a special place in endurance racing. It forms one leg of the informal Triple Crown of endurance racing, alongside the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

The Circuit

Daytona International Speedway features a combined road course that uses portions of the famous oval and an infield section. The circuit measures 3.56 miles (5.73 km) in length and includes 12 turns. This layout tests both high-speed oval racing and technical road course abilities. Drivers navigate banking, flat sections, and varied corner types throughout the lap.

IMSA Competition Classes

The 2026 race features four distinct classes competing simultaneously. Each class has different technical specifications and performance characteristics.

Grand Touring Prototype (GTP)

The GTP class leads the field with 11 entries. These hybrid prototypes represent the fastest cars in IMSA competition. The current LMDh specification allows manufacturers to build technically advanced machines that compete for overall victory.

Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2)

The LMP2 class brings 14 entries to the grid. These spec prototypes offer teams a controlled cost platform while maintaining prototype performance levels.

Grand Touring Daytona Pro (GTD Pro)

GTD Pro features 15 entries of professional teams running FIA GT3 specification cars. Factory-supported efforts compete in this class with professional driver lineups.

Grand Touring Daytona (GTD)

The GTD class fields 21 entries, making it the largest class in the race. These GT3 cars are run by professional and amateur drivers, creating a diverse competition within the class.

Manufacturers and Teams

Twelve manufacturers are represented across the entry list. Acura, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche all field entries. This manufacturer diversity creates varied competition and different technical approaches to the race.

Porsche holds the record for most overall wins as a manufacturer, highlighting the German marque's long history at Daytona International Speedway. American teams have traditionally performed well at this race throughout its history.

Driver Lineup

The 2026 Daytona 24 Hours attracts drivers from multiple racing series. Formula 1 competitors Kevin Magnussen, Romain Grosjean, and Logan Sargeant join the entry list. IndyCar stars Alex Palou, Colton Herta, Scott Dixon, and Kyle Kirkwood also compete. NASCAR drivers AJ Allmendinger and Connor Zilisch round out the notable crossover entries. This blend of talent from different series creates interesting team dynamics and competition.

Race History

The history of racing at Daytona International Speedway begins in 1959 with a 6-hour/1000 kilometer race. The Daytona Continental, a 3-hour race, started in 1962. The race expanded to its current 24-hour format in 1966, establishing the endurance test that continues today.

Various prototype specifications have competed over the decades. Recent years featured DPi cars before the transition to LMDh regulations. The race has produced memorable finishes, including damaged cars limping to the finish line to be classified as finishers by crossing under their own power.

Event Schedule

The race weekend includes multiple sessions before the main race. The Roar Before the Rolex 24 test session provides teams track time to prepare their cars and strategies. Qualifying determines the starting grid and allows teams to establish their competitive position. Each session contributes to team preparation for the 24-hour challenge.

What Makes This Race Special

The Daytona 24 Hours combines multiple elements that create unique competition. The day-to-night-to-day racing cycle tests driver vision and concentration. Weather in Florida can change rapidly, affecting strategy decisions. The multi-class format means faster cars must navigate through slower traffic, requiring awareness and precision.

Team strategy plays a major role over 24 hours. Fuel consumption, tire wear, driver changes, and mechanical reliability all factor into success. Teams must balance speed with conservation to reach the finish. A single mistake can cost positions or end a race early.

The race brings together the world's top endurance racing talent at Daytona International Speedway. Professional drivers team with gentleman racers in some classes, while manufacturer teams field all-star lineups in others. This creates varied competition levels and interesting stories throughout the field.

IMSA SportsCar Championship

As the opening round of the IMSA SportsCar Championship season, the Daytona 24 Hours sets the tone for the year ahead. Points earned here contribute to season championships in each class. Teams and drivers who perform well gain momentum and confidence for the rest of the calendar. The race provides the first look at new technical developments and driver lineups for the season.

IMSA's multi-class racing format creates action throughout the field. Battles occur at the front for overall victory, within each class for category wins, and among individual teams. This format ensures competitive racing across the entire entry list. The 2026 race promises strong competition with a full grid of 61 cars representing diverse manufacturers and teams.