IMSA - Rolex 24 At DAYTONA

The Rolex 24 At DAYTONA serves as the opening round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. This 24-hour endurance race takes place at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The 2026 edition marked the 64th running of this prestigious sports car race. The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) sanctions this event, which brings together prototype and GT racing cars from manufacturers around the globe.

Race Results and Competition

The 2026 Rolex 24 At DAYTONA featured a capacity grid of 60 cars competing across four distinct classes. The No. 7 Penske Porsche claimed overall victory and the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class win. Felipe Nasr drove the winning car, which crossed the finish line just 1.5 seconds ahead of the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac. This close margin demonstrated the intense competition throughout the 24-hour duration.

The LMP2 class winner was the No. 04 CrowdStrike ORECA. The No. 1 Paul Miller Racing BMW secured victory in the GTD Pro class. The No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes took the win in the GTD class. Post-race technical inspections confirmed all results without changes to the provisional order.

Daytona International Speedway Circuit

Daytona International Speedway hosts the race on its combined road course configuration. The circuit measures 3.56 miles (5.729 km) and includes 12 turns. This layout combines sections of the infield road course with the high-banked turns of the famous tri-oval.

The oval portion of the track features 31-degree banking, which allows cars to achieve higher speeds. These banked turns also provide excellent viewing angles for spectators. The infield section includes Lake Lloyd, a 29-acre artificial lake created from dirt excavated during the track's construction. The speedway has a lighting system, but only about 20% of its capacity runs during night hours. This keeps cars dependent on their headlights for visibility.

Participants and Teams

The 2026 Rolex 24 At DAYTONA attracted 60 entries across four classes. The GTP class had 11 entries, while LMP2 featured 13 cars. The GTD Pro class included 15 entries, and the GTD class had 21 cars. More than 200 drivers from over 30 countries participated in the race.

Several drivers from other major racing series competed in the event. NASCAR drivers AJ Allmendinger and Connor Zilisch joined the field. IndyCar competitors Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, and Kyle Kirkwood also participated. Twelve manufacturers entered cars: Acura, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche.

Notable teams included Porsche Penske Motorsport, JDC-Miller MotorSports, Paul Miller Racing, Risi Competizione, Era Motorsport, and Winward Racing.

Technical Classes and Regulations

Grand Touring Prototype (GTP)

The GTP class represents the top category in IMSA competition. These cars feature the most advanced prototype technology. All GTP cars use a common hybrid powertrain system that captures kinetic energy during braking. Manufacturers develop their own internal combustion engines and bodywork designs for this class.

Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2)

Four approved constructors build LMP2 cars. All LMP2 entries use the Gibson GK428 V8 engine. These closed-cockpit prototypes also compete in other global series, including the FIA World Endurance Championship.

GT Daytona Pro (GTD Pro)

GTD Pro cars follow FIA GT3 technical regulations. This class allows factory teams and professional driver lineups. The category provides a platform for manufacturer-backed GT racing efforts.

GT Daytona (GTD)

The GTD class also uses cars built to FIA GT3 specifications. Leading manufacturers from around the world enter this category. The class features a diverse mix of teams and drivers.

IMSA Systems and Rules

IMSA uses a Leader Light System on each car. An LED panel displays the car's position within its class. Different colors identify each class for easier tracking during the race.

The 2026 season introduced changes to IMSA Sporting Regulations. A "Short FCY" protocol reduces the length of full course yellow periods deployed early in races or shortly after restarts. Bronze-rated drivers must apply to IMSA for permission to race in GTP or GTD Pro classes. These drivers also have an increased minimum drive time of four hours and 30 minutes at Daytona.

History of the Event

The first Daytona Continental sports car race took place in 1962 as a three-hour event. The race expanded to a 24-hour format in 1966, following the model of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Rolex became the title sponsor in 1992, and the event became known as the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA.

The connection between Rolex and Daytona Beach predates the race itself. Sir Malcolm Campbell wore a Rolex Oyster while setting land speed records on Daytona Beach during the 1930s. NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. established Daytona International Speedway in 1959. He moved racing from the beach to a permanent facility. France developed a friendship with the president of Rolex U.S.A., which led to Rolex becoming the official watch of the Speedway in the early 1960s.

Unique Aspects

Winners of the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA receive a steel Rolex Daytona watch as their prize. Daytona International Speedway spans 500 acres and is known as the "World Center of Racing." The facility underwent a major transformation through the "DAYTONA Rising" renovation project, which cost $400 million and finished in 2016. This renovation created a modern motorsports stadium with 101,500 permanent seats, 40 escalators, and 17 elevators.

Lake Lloyd in the infield covers 29 acres and has even hosted powerboat racing events. The Rolex 24 is informally considered part of the "Triple Crown of Endurance Racing" along with the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The "Roar Before the 24" serves as a mandatory test session before the main race. All competing cars participate in this session, which allows teams to prepare their setups and strategies.

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

The Rolex 24 At DAYTONA opens the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship calendar. IMSA organizes premier sports car racing in North America. The championship features both Prototype and GT categories, offering diverse racing action throughout the season. The series attracts major manufacturers and top driving talent from around the world. Teams compete for championships in each class over multiple race weekends.