The annual clarion call for motorsports has arrived again with the Rolex 24 at Daytona, signifying the dawn of another racing season.
The 64th edition of the sports car classic will gather another all-star field of star drivers from around the globe.
The endurance event has drawn Indy 500 winners, Formula One world champions and NASCAR Hall of Famers, and this year’s 24-hour renaissance will feature many big names among the 200 drivers who will be piloting 60 entries around the World Center of Racing.
Follow along below for our live coverage of the Rolex 24 at Daytona with updates before, during and after the race.
How to watch the 64th Rolex 24 at Daytona
- Start: The green flag is scheduled for 1:40 p.m. ET
- Where: The road course at Daytona International Speedway, a 12-turn, 3.56-mile layout that winds through the infield and all four corners (plus a backstretch chicane) of the 2.5-mile superspeedway made famous by NASCAR.
- TV: Flag-to-flag coverage of the race will be available on Peacock. NBC also will have coverage of the start of the race from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Jan. 24 and the conclusion from noon-2 p.m. ET on Jan. 25.
- Announcers/reporters: The announcing team will feature play-by-play announcers Leigh Diffey and Brian Till, analysts: Calvin Fish, Townsend Bell and Oliver Gavin; and pit reporters Amanda Busick, Dave Burns, Kevin Lee, Matt Yocum and Chris Wilner. Peacock Pit Box coverage will be provided by Marty Snider and Steve Letarte.
- Track map: Click here for the layout of the Rolex 24 at Daytona
Rolex 24 at Daytona live updates
It’s three in a row for Porsche Penske Motorsport!
With superstar driver Felipe Nasr behind the wheel, the No. 7 963 made Porsche Penske Motorsport only the third team in Rolex 24 at Daytona history to win the race in three consecutive years.
The No. 31 Whelen Action Express Cadillac took second with the No. 24 BMW M Hybrid V8 rounding out the podium.
The winners in other categories:
LMP2: No. 04 ORECA, Crowdstrike Racing by APR
GTD Pro: No. 1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Paul Miller Racing
GTD: No. 57 Mercedes-AMG GT3, Winward Racing
Click here for full details, quotes and full results as they arrive:
Nasr fends off Aitken
With 20 minutes remaining, Felipe Nasr held firm while holding the lead.
Jack Aitken cut the gap down to a car length and pulled his No. 31 Cadillac alongside Nasr’s No. 7 Porsche entering Turn 1.
Awesome battle for the win at the Rolex! Amazes me how this race is always so close at the end
— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) January 25, 2026
But Nasr never lifted without making contact, and he emerged into the International Horseshoe section with the lead, quickly building the margin to a second with 15 laps remaining.
His third consecutive Rolex 24 at Daytona victory is within reach for Porsche Penske Motorsport.
THE BATTLE FOR THE WIN WITH 20 MINUTES TO GO
— IMSA (@IMSA) January 25, 2026
2026 ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA
🏁: Sunday, January 25 | 1:40PM ET
📺: NBC | Peacock
🌍: IMSA YouTube Live | IMSA .tv
📻: IMSA Radio pic.twitter.com/U5XgfOV7gr
Cadillac vs. Porsche for the lead
Felipe Nasr is feeling the heat in pursuit of his third consecutive Rolex 24 at Daytona victory for Porsche Penske Motorsport.
Nasr is darting through GT traffic with his No. 7 963 while trying to stay ahead of the No. 31 Whelen Action Express Cadillac being driven by Jack Aitken, who closed the gap to under a half-second at one point.
With about 35 minutes remaining, Nasr leads by 1.284 seconds.
Porsche Penske Motorsports’ No. 6 963, now being driven by Kevin Estre in place of Laurens Vanthoor, is running third.
What a crowd!
Per Leigh Diffey, Daytona International Speedway president Frank Kelleher has confirmed the 64th Rolex 24 at Daytona drew the largest crowd in the event’s history. While official crowd figures typically go unannounced, it’s safe to say attendance would be well north of 50,000 over two days at the World Center of Racing.
This comes on the heels of the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season finale that drew the largest crowd in Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta history.
A record attendance for the #Rolex24.
— Rolex 24 Hours (@Rolex24Hours) January 25, 2026
Thank you, fans! 👏 pic.twitter.com/qCPnVYWibF
Hour 23 leaderboard
With one hour remaining in the 64th Rolex 24 at Daytona, it seems just a matter of which Porsche Penske Motorsport entry will take the third consecutive victory for team and manufacturer in the IMSA season opener.
The No. 7 963 driven by Felipe Nasr is in first by 1.337 seconds over the No. 6 963 with teammate Laurens Vanthoor. You can watch the finish on NBC and Peacock.
All out for one last hour. pic.twitter.com/vqMbsSxYCW
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) January 25, 2026
The leaders in other categories entering the final hour:
LMP2: No. 04 ORECA, Crowdstrike Racing by APR
GTD Pro: No. 75 Mercedes AMG-GT3, 75 Express
GTD: No. 44 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, Magnus Racing
Click here for the full running order after Hour 23.
Click here for the class breakdown.
Click here for the flag analysis and race control messages.
Familiar position for Felipe Nasr
With 90 minutes remaining, Porsche Penske Motorsport has its superstar closer behind the wheel of its No. 7 963.
Felipe Nasr has closed out the past two victories in the Rolex 24 at Daytona for PPM, and the Brazilian just took over from teammate Julien Andlauer for the final two stints of the race.
In a parallel universe, Nasr, 34, might have been a Formula One winner, but he’s becocme one of the world’s best sports car drivers. NBC Sports analyst Townsend Bell says Nasr is the msot talented among the more than 200 drivers at Daytona International Speedway this month. Read more about Roger Penske‘s ace here:
Final two hours of coverage on NBC!
The 64th edition of the Rolex 24 at Daytona has returned to NBC (while flag-to-flag coverage continues on Peacock).
The race can be seen on NBC until 2 p.m. ET, covering the final hour and 40 minutes and postrace coverage with interviews and celebration.
A lot can happen in two hours. ⏱️#Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/6U0YXjG3EE
— Rolex 24 Hours (@Rolex24Hours) January 25, 2026
Hour 22 leaderboard
With two hours remaining, a Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 remains at the front, but pit strategy has split up the dominant team’s cars.
The No. 7 963 that has won the past two 24-hour races at Daytona leads by 0.998 seconds over the No. 24 BMW Hybrid V8, and the No. 31 Whelen Action Express Cadillac is in third.
The No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 has slipped to sixth after pitting earlier (because of a puncture from apparent debris, per a report from NBC Sports’ Matt Yocum) and falling more than 5 seconds off the lead.
In a race that’s been relatively clean (thanks in part to a record six-and-half-hour caution flag), the Grand Touring Prototype category finally had some attrition. The No. 10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R pulled into the pits with less than three hours remaining and smoke billowing from the engine compartment.
Tragedy for the No. 10 WTR Cadillac
— IMSA (@IMSA) January 25, 2026
2026 ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA
🏁: Sunday, January 25 | 1:40PM ET
📺: NBC | Peacock
🌍: IMSA YouTube Live | IMSA .tv
📻: IMSA Radio pic.twitter.com/VdkHgcvelc
Ricky Taylor was OK after being treated by safety workers, but the car (which won the Rolex 24 three consecutive years from 2019-21) fell out of the race.
“I made a mistake on the retsart and tried to pull seventh gear with no response from the gearbox,” Taylor told NBC Sports’ Matt Yocum. “I tried to hit the downshift, and I saw smoke, so maybe something in gearbox the came loose. I’m not sure if we could take it to the Porsches (anyway).”
Leaders in other categories:
LMP2: No. 04 ORECA, Crowdstrike Racing by APR
GTD Pro: No. 911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), Manthey
GTD: No. 44 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, Magnus Racing
Click here for the full running order after Hour 22.
Click here for the class breakdown.
Click here for the flag analysis and race control messages.
2 HOURS TO GO!!
— IMSA (@IMSA) January 25, 2026
2026 ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA
🏁: Sunday, January 25 | 1:40PM ET
📺: NBC | Peacock
🌍: IMSA YouTube Live | IMSA .tv
📻: IMSA Radio pic.twitter.com/yzkaRkTqpa
Hour 21 leaderboard
With three hours remaining in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Porsche Penske Motorsport has a hammerlock on the top two positions.
The No. 6 963 has a 0.677-second lead on the No. 7 963 with the No. 25 BMW M Hybrid V8 trailing by more than 10 seconds. It will take some yellow flags, changing track conditions or uncharacteristic mistakes by Porsche Penske to bring other cars into contention.
Back to 1-2. pic.twitter.com/iXu6l5FWBq
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) January 25, 2026
Leaders in other categories:
- LMP2: No. 52 ORECA, Bryan Herta Autosport with PR1/Mathiasen
- GTD Pro: No. 4 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsport
- GTD: No. 96 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Turner Motorsport
Click here for the full running order after Hour 21.
Click here for the class breakdown.
Click here for the flag analysis and race control messages.
Discriminating postrace inspections
Per the always informative John Dagys, IMSA has implemented some new impoudning policies for the Grand Touring Prototype and GTD Pro categories.
Dagys, the longtime editor and founder of the Sportscar365 site, wrote that IMSA officials will impound the top four finishers in GTP and GTD Pro in a “controlled location” overnight for a “comprehensive vehicle inspection” that will begin at 8 a.m. Monday. Per a competition bulletin, cars that pass inspection will be released by 3 p.m. Teams will be required to supply various aerodymanic equipment.
The postrace scrutinty comes on the heels of some high-profile postrace infractions at the Rolex 24 in recent years. Last year’s LMP2 winning entry was stripped of the victory three days after the race.
In a massive scandal three years ago, the overall winner was given massive penalties after tire data manipulation on the No. 60 Acura ARX-06. The team was allowed to keep the win.
Hour 20 leaderboard
It’s getting interesting with four hours left in the Rolex 24 at Daytona as the No. 25 BMW M Hybrid V8 is showing staying power in first, leading by 0.461 seconds over the No. 7 Porsche 963 that is seeking its third consecutive victory in the endurance race.
The No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 is running third.
Leaders in other categories:
- LMP2: No. 43 ORECA, Inter Europol Competition
- GTD Pro: No. 4 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports
- GTD: No. 36 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, DXDT Racing
Click here for the full running order after Hour 20.
Click here for the class breakdown.
Porsche vs Cadillac at the Rolex 24
— IMSA (@IMSA) January 25, 2026
2026 ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA
🏁: Sunday, January 25 | 1:40PM ET
📺: NBC | Peacock
🌍: IMSA YouTube Live | IMSA .tv
📻: IMSA Radio pic.twitter.com/bD1bUTBqbj
Restart!
The green flag is out again at 9:21 a.m., and the Porsche Penske Motorsport 963s are immediately on the move, shuffling the No. 10 Cadillac back to fifth.
The No. 25 BMW M Hybrid V8 leads with Marco Wittmann behind the wheel ahead of Jordan Taylor in the No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R.
Felipe Nasr, who has closed out the past two Rolex 24 victories for Porsche Penske Motorsport, is in the No. 7 and charging from third place.
Colin Braun morning updates!
— IMSA (@IMSA) January 25, 2026
2026 ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA
🏁: Sunday, January 25 | 1:40PM ET
📺: Peacock
🌍: IMSA YouTube Live | IMSA .tv
📻: IMSA Radio@Rolex24Hours | @MeyerShankRac pic.twitter.com/WGNVQ8Ki7i
Back under caution for incident and fog
The sixth yellow flag of the race flew at 9 a.m. for the stalled No. 18 LMP2 entry, but the caution quickly was extended as the fog returned to Daytona International Speedway (despite the sun coming up).
With 4 hours and 20 minutes remaining, the Rolex 24 at Daytona remains under yellow with the No. 25 BMW M Hybrid V8 in front, followed by the No. 40 and No. 10 Cadillacs of Wayne Taylor Racing.
The No. 6 and No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963s are running 4-5 after yielding the top two spots during a pit sequence.
Hour 19 leaderboard
Porsche Penske Motorsport continues to control up front with its No. 6 and No. 7 963s running 1-2 with five hours remaining in the 64th Rolex 24 at Daytona.
In other categories:
- LMP2: No. 343 ORECA, Inter Europol Competition
- GTD Pro: No. 911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), Manthey
- GTD: No. 96 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Turner Motorsport
Click here for the full running order after Hour 19.
Click here for the class breakdown.
Click here for the flag analysis and race control messages.
Mornings at @DAYTONA >>>
— Rolex 24 Hours (@Rolex24Hours) January 25, 2026
📍@HardRockBet Fan Deck pic.twitter.com/DYMqip1TRh
IMSA explains why no red flag for fog
As their cars circled at a slow rate of speed for more than six hours under caution overnight, many teams (and notably outspoken car owner Wayne Taylor) wondered why a red flag wasn’t thrown to stop the Rolex 24 until the fog had lifted.
In a visit to the Peacock Pit Box, IMSA president John Doonan explained that series officials felt the better option was to keep the cars running.
“The race cars are sensitive,” Doonan told NBC Sports’ Marty Snider. “You stop those race cars after all the running we had done ... the moisture was thick in the air, so the engine might not like it. Also, it’s a set of sporting regulations, and drive time becomes an issue. You put teams in a really precarious position. We wanted to make sure we did all those things right and went back to green in good process.”
The yellow flag set a record for the longest caution in the 64-year history of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
The 6 hour, 33 minute, 25 second caution flag overnight (lifted at 7:18 am this morning) in the @Rolex24Hours for heavy fog @DAYTONA was the longest yellow in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship history. Cars are up and at this morning. 4.5 hours to go ... the No. 25 BMW out…
— Holly Cain (@_HollyCain) January 25, 2026
That fog caution was the longest caution flag in Rolex 24 history. ... 6 hours, 33 minutes, 25 seconds. ... 120 laps
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 25, 2026
Disaster for a contending Corvette
With just over 5 hours remaining, one of the favorites to win the GTD Pro category is out of contention.
The No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, which led its class for much of the first half, had a right-rear suspension failure entering Turn 6.
Broken Right Rear suspension on the #3 Corvette. The car is working it's way back and is going straight to the garage for a repair.#Corvette #CRbyPMM #Rolex24
— Pratt Miller Motorsports (@PrattMillerMS) January 25, 2026
Antonio Garcia immediately took the Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports entry to the garage. The team feverishly began repairs, but But the car already has fallen five laps down.
Corvette Racing now will shift its hopes for a win to the No. 4 Corvette Z06 GT3.R, which is leading in GTD Pro.
Hour 18 leaderboard
In search of its third consecutive victory in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the No. 7 Porsche 963 is leading with 75% of the race complete. Porsche Penske Motorsports No. 6 is second with the No. 25 BMW M Hybrid V8, No. 40 Cadillac V-Series.R and No. 60 Acura ARX-06 rounding out the top five.
Other category leaders:
- LMP2: No. 8 ORECA, Tower Motorsports
- GTD Pro: No. 4 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports
- GTD: No. 96 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Turner Motorsport
Click here for the full running order after Hour 18.
Click here for the class breakdown.
Click here for the flag analysis and race control messages.
Waking up to our favorite sights 😁#Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/v6F9AtTEtk
— Rolex 24 Hours (@Rolex24Hours) January 25, 2026
Assessing the final six hours
With the Porsche Penske Motorsport 963s settling back into the top two spots, here’s what to expect from the final quarter of the race.
- Expect the fiercest racing to begin with about four hours to go, and the intensity could be elevated with driver rotations and resting schedules having been heavily affected by the six-hour yellow flag for the fog.
- Porsche Penske Motorsport remains the favorite to win the Rolex 24 for the third consecutive year. As the competition came through the media center Saturday night, there was a borderline air of defeatism about how much pace the 963s were already showing.
- “Porsche is just playing with us,” Renger van der Zande said after a “de-motivating stint” in the pole-sitting No. 93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing ARX-06.
- Perhaps most unnerving is that Penske cars (across all racing series) often tend to hold something in reserve for the final finish, so the dominance over the first eight hours is portentous for their rivals.
- “What really scares me is that Porsche doesn’t usually show everything at the start of the race,” said Ricky Taylor, a former Penske driver from 2018-20. “And then they build up such a lead. Now I’m really worried that they have even more tricks up their sleeve.”
- In LMP2, the No. 99 ORECA of AO Racing dominated the first half, but it’s currently behind the two entries for the Inter Europol Competition.
- The Corvettes seem extremely strong in the GTD Pro category, and the GTD has seemed a toss-up between BMW, Ferrari and Mercedes.
Hours 10-17 leaderboard
Let’s catch up on the overnight running order (which largely remained unchanged as the field circled under the yellow flag for six and a half hours).
Click on the links below for each hour:
Hour 10 full running order
Hour 11 full running order
Hour 12 full running order
Hour 13 full running order
Hour 14 full running order
Hour 15 full running order
Hour 16 full running order
Hour 17 full running order
Took a walk through the fog to get some moody shots while the cars circulate behind the pace car.#IMSA #Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/89KhgSExXk
— Kevin Dejewski (@KevinDMotors) January 25, 2026
The green flag returns at 7:18 a.m.
There are 6 hours, 21 minutes, 23 seconds remaining in the Rolex 24 at Daytona — or nearly as long as the race has been under yellow since just past midnight.
The Porsche Penske Motorsport No. 7 963 is in front, followed by the No. 25 BMW M Hybrid V8 and the No. 6 Porsche 963.
GREEN GREEN GREEN!!
— IMSA (@IMSA) January 25, 2026
WE ARE BACK TO RACING!!
🟢: Saturday, January 24 | 1:30PM ET
📺: NBC | Peacock
🌍: IMSA YouTube Live | IMSA .tv
📻: IMSA Radio@Rolex24Hours | @DAYTONA pic.twitter.com/uUcGlEbx51
The No. 31 Whelen Action Express Cadillac was forced to serve a stop and go penalty for a pit violation over the night, dropping the car a lap down.
There are nine Grand Touring Prototype cars on the lead lap and the No. 93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing ARX-06 is a lap down after starting on pole. That’s a fairly low amount of attrition (which would be expected for a race that was interrupted by a six-hour yellow flag).
THE FOG IS LIFTING!
The always unpredictable Florida weather strikes again.
The fog suddenly began to lift just past 7 a.m., and now the field is being shown the 1 lap to go until the restart at 7:16 a.m.
With 6 hours and 23 minutes remaining, the 64th Rolex 24 at Daytona is about to return to green for the first time in about six and a half hours.
We’re back! And hardly missed anything
If you’re just waking up to check on the 64th Rolex 24 at Daytona, you haven’t missed much if you left the race before halfway.
Because of a hold for the persistent fog in Daytona Beach, the Rolex 24 has been under caution on a fog hold since 12:45 a.m. — just past the halfway point of the race.
As of 7 a.m., the yellow flag has been displayed for more than six hours, and only 481 laps have been completed.
A little fog for your feed. pic.twitter.com/EOwlQTEpbz
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) January 25, 2026
The No. 85 Porsche 963 of JDC-Miller Motorsports leads the overall, followed by the No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R and the No. 60 Acura Meyer Shank Racing ARX-06.
Other category leaders:
- LMP2: No. 43 ORECA, Inter Europol Competition
- GTD Pro: No. 911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), Manthey
- GTD: No. 912 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), Manthey 1St Phorm
The fog probably could linger for at least two more hours, but the weather should be sunny and pleasant for a four-hour sprint to the finish at Daytona International Speedway.
Stay tuned for more updates, including a recap of the running order from the past seven hours or so.
The night shift.#Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/cjGlQveDcB
— Rolex 24 Hours (@Rolex24Hours) January 25, 2026
Wake up!
How do drivers stay relatively refreshed throughout the entirety of a 24-hour race?
We wrote about that back in 2020. One of our favorite anecdotes came from AJ Allmendinger about his Rolex 24 debut 20 years ago:
“I drank like 14 Red Bulls during the night – not great for hydration by the way -- so I didn’t sleep the whole time,” said Allmendinger, whose Michael Shank Racing team actually finished second in his first endurance race. “I wasn’t right for three days after that. So as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to kind of pace myself. I still don’t sleep a lot because, especially when it’s going well, I’m so amped up. I’m always afraid if I close my eyes, I’m going to wake up and we’ll be out of the race for some reason.”
Here’s how Allmendinger and other drivers manage the graveyard shift of the Rolex 24 at Daytona:
Be right back!
OK, maybe not right back. But we’ll have to put the updates on pause for a little while.
We’ll be checking back in when dawn breaks (or shortly thereafter). Enjoy the overnight racin’!
So… who’s staying up all night with us?? 👀 pic.twitter.com/ZieVICiCLj
— Rolex 24 Hours (@Rolex24Hours) January 25, 2026
Hour 9 leaderboard
Check out the recap below from IMSA to review nine hours of highlights in under 3 minutes.
With 15 hours remaining, the No. 6 963 of Porsche Penske Motorsport remains in the lead ahead of its No. 7 teammate. The No. 93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing ARX-06 is in third, followed by the MSR’s No. 60 Acura and the No. 40 Cadillac WAyne Taylor Racing V-Series.R.
Other category leaders:
- LMP2: No. 99 ORECA, AO Racing
- GTD Pro: No. 4 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports
- GTD: No. 21 Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO, Af Corse Usa
Click here for the full running order after Hour 9.
Click here for the class breakdown.
Click here for the flag analysis and race control messages.
9 Hour Recap!
— IMSA (@IMSA) January 25, 2026
Who is still awake with us? pic.twitter.com/g1g8PYik37
FIREWORKS!
Perfect execution by NBC Sports analyst Steve Letarte, who calmly pressed the button that triggered launching 3,000 fireworks into the fog at 10 p.m. ET.
Though visibility was less than optimum at Daytona International Speedway, it hardly dampened the enthusiasm from an overflow crowd.
the sky is on fire! pic.twitter.com/nVJep3c3iG
— Michelin Racing USA (@MichelinRaceUSA) January 25, 2026
#Rolex24 #IMSA
— EvilMuffins (@Se7enEvilMuffin) January 25, 2026
Fence line absolutely packed for fireworks here in 5 mins pic.twitter.com/tnYwAvdC5B
#Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/YuFySkSKz1
— Matt Archuleta (@indy44) January 25, 2026
Hour 8 leaderboard
A third of the way through the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona, Porsche Penske Motorsport remains in control.
The No. 6 Porsche 963 held a comfortable lead on the No. 7 through eight hours. The No. 93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing ARX-06 was in third after starting on the pole.
Two Cadillacs — the No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R and the No. 31 of Whelen Action Express Racing — rounded out the top five.
Other category leaders:
- LMP2: No. 04 ORECA, Crowdstrike Racing by APR
- GTD Pro: No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports
- GTD: No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, Heart of Racing Team
Click here for the full running order after Hour 8.
Click here for the class breakdown.
Click here for the flag analysis and race control messages.
Connor Zilisch on GTP debut, F1 future?
After his debut in a Grand Touring Prototype entry, Connor Zilisch joined Marty Snider and Steve Letarte for a wide-ranging interview on the Peacock Pit Box.
The leading contender for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series rookie of the year is a sports car veteran with LMP2 victories in the Rolex 24 and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, but driving the No. 31 Whelen Action Express Cadillac V-Series.R was his first taste of a race stint in the premier hybrid prototype category.
“It’s fun being the fast car and not having to look in the mirror really ever,” Zilisch said. “Really cool to go over 200 mph for the first time. Just so many cool things to experience with this team, so many talented teammates with Fred, Earl and Jack. It’s been a lot of fun getting to learn from them and grow as a driver and a person. It’s been a lot of fun.”
Who’s locked in for Connor’s first stint of the night❓ pic.twitter.com/9Tovrfv0Ch
— Trackhouse Racing (@TeamTrackhouse) January 24, 2026
Zilisch, 19, avoided any trouble despite a near collision with six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon, one of his heroes.
“It’s so cool to race against guys I look up to as drivers, and now so many factory drivers at the highest level of sports car racing,” he said. “It’s only going to make me better. I’m having fun, I’m learning.”
His car has vastly different technology than the No. 88 Chevrolet he will be driving in the Cup Series this season.
Got the Rolex 24 on my TV, and then a man climbing a skyscraper on my computer. What a night, time for some sleep😃
— Connor Zilisch (@ConnorZilisch) January 25, 2026
“In my Cup car, I have one button — the radio button,” he said. “I come here, and the whole wheel is lit up, and there’s code words for everything. It’s crazy confusing. I spent so much time in the simulator at GM, that helped a lot and got me up to speed with everything I need to know. There’s a lot they’re telling you throughout the race. It’s cool to have that, my first time driving a hybrid, really cool to learn that and test myself and challenge myself to learn new things.”
Could Zilisch eventually find his way to driving a Cadillac in Formula One?
“That’s something I dreamed of as a kid,” he said when asked by NBC Sports’ Leigh Diffey. “If I have a very successful first few years in NASCAR, I wouldnt’ say no to it. I love F1 racing, but honestly I love what I’m doing in NASCAR. It’s so much fun to race on the biggest stage in America. I’m certainly excited and infused in everything I’m doing in the NASCAR world.
“That’s got my attention with 38 weeknds. You never know. One day if that opportunity comes about, and I feel I’ve done everything I need to do on this side of the pond, I would definitely think about it.”
“If I have a very successful first few years in NASCAR it’s not something I wouldn’t say no to. I love F1 but I love what I’m doing in NASCAR.” - Connor Zilisch tells @leighdiffey he’s committed to NASCAR when asked about the possibility of working with @Cadillac_F1 pic.twitter.com/FOaKms1zes
— SpeedFreaks (@SpeedFreaks) January 25, 2026
For now, Zilisch is laser-focused on his Feb. 15 debut in the Daytona 500 fo Trakchouse Racing.
“I don’t think you’re ever ready truly, but I’m as ready as I can be,” he said. “Sundays are a whole different ballgame. It’s kill or be killed. Those guys are not going to show me any mercy. I’m excited to race a lot of world-class talents in the Cup series and get to race every weekend.”
Packed house today for the 24!! Let’s go get another watch👊🏼👊🏼 pic.twitter.com/ptxl8nixzX
— Connor Zilisch (@ConnorZilisch) January 24, 2026
Hour 7 leaderboard
With fog descending on Daytona International Speedway, the path remains clear for Porsche Penske Motorsport, whose 963 entries are running 1-2 in pursuit of a third consecutive Rolex 24 victory.
The No. 93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing ARX-06 is in third followed by the No. 24 BMW M Hybrid V8 and the No. 10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R, rounding out a top five with four manufacturers in Grand Touring Prototype.
Other category leaders:
- LMP2: No. 04 ORECA, Crowdstrike Racing by APR
- GTD Pro: No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports
- GTD: No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, Heart of Racing Team
Click here for the full running order after Hour 7.
Click here for the class breakdown.
This shot at night is pure gold. #Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/LmphqlJWWP
— Matt Archuleta (@indy44) January 25, 2026
THE FOG!
Just before the end of the seventh hour, the fog is rolling in again at Daytona International Speedway. The change in the weather bookends a Saturday morning in which the track was barely visible.
Check out this view from a fan in the frontstretch grandstands (the iconic Ferris Wheel can hardly be seen in the infield):
The limited visibility figures to present some challenges with more than 50 cars whizzing around the a 3.56-mile road course at night.
Hour 6 leaderboard
A quarter of the way through the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Porsche Penske Motorsport’s No. 7 963 remains a threat for its third consecutive victory in the season opener.
Through 192 laps, the No. 7 has a 3.445-second lead on the No. 93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing ARX-06 that started on pole.
BMW M Team WRT’s pair of BMW M Hybrid V8s are running third and fourth through six hours, and Grand Touring Prototype cars still comprise the top 10.
Other category leaders:
- LMP2: No. 99 ORECA, AO Racing
- GTD Pro: No. 1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Paul Miller Racing
- GTD: No. 70 Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO, Inception Racing
Click here for the full running order after Hour 6.
Click here for the class breakdown.
Click here for the flag breakdown and race control messages.
That nighttime glow.#Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/IpY3xkRbuD
— Rolex 24 Hours (@Rolex24Hours) January 25, 2026
Kiwi heaven
New Zealand always has been a country that punches above its weight with global motorsports stars, and the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona has underscored the prevalence of the Down Under region of the world.
Scott McLaughlin, who stars for Team Penske in IndyCar, is among six New Zealand natives in this year’s field, and the list also includes six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon and IMSA champ Earl Bamber. Shane van Gisbergen, the three-time Supercars champion who took the NASCAR Cup Series by storm with five wins as a 2025 rookie, is absent, but the Auckland native has multiple Rolex 24 starts, including a Trackhouse Racing GT car last year with McLaughlin and Connor Zilisch.
Absolutely packed at Daytona. Love to see it. Let’s go!!! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) January 24, 2026
“I grew up worshipping Scott Dixon, and Earl Bamber, I grew up racing him,” McLaughlin said. “It’s pretty awesome. We’re a little country of 5 million people with a great rugby team, and we drive race cars pretty fast.”
McLaughlin is making his third Rolex 24 start, co-driving the No. 36 Corvette Z06 GT3.R for DXDT Racing.
“I feel it’s my best shot ever at the Rolex,” he said.
Hour 5 leaderboard
With the track plunged into darkness, the race has shifted back into a Porsche-Acura battle with the No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport leading in search of its third consecutive Rolex 24 at Daytona.
The No. 93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing ARX-06 is running second after starting on pole, followed by the No. 31 Whelen Action Express Cadillac.
Aside from a problem dropping the No. 23 Aston Martin Valkyrie more than 30 laps off the pace, there’s been little attrition in the premier Grand Touring Prototype category. The top 10 is occupied entirely by hybrid prototypes, and all have completed 161 laps around the 12-turn, 3.56-mile road course.
Other category leaders:
- LMP2: No. 99 ORECA, AO Racing
- GTD Pro: No. 9 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2, Pfaff Motorsports
- GTD: No. 34 Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO, Conquest Racing
Click here for the full running order after Hour 5.
Click here for the class breakdown.
Click here for the flag breakdown and race control messages.
Take a sunset ride in the Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R 🎧
— IMSA (@IMSA) January 25, 2026
2026 ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA
🟢: Saturday, January 24 | 1:30PM ET
📺: Peacock
🌍: IMSA YouTube Live | IMSA .tv
📻: IMSA Radio pic.twitter.com/ytPYsmYW06
Hour 4 leaderboard
With sunset approaching, the No. 31 Cadillac has taken the lead in what could be a redemptive storyline. The Whelen Action Express entry turned the fastest lap in qualifying but had its time disallowed for a technical infraction.
The Cadillac V-Series.R, which leads the No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 seeking its third consecutive win at Daytona, has a lineup of Jack Aitken, Frederik Vesti, Earl Bamber and Connor Zilisch, the NASCAR Cup Series rookie.
The No. 24 BMW M Hybrid V8 is running third. Other category leaders:
- LMP2: No. 99 ORECA, AO Racing
- GTD Pro: No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports
- GTD: No. 34 Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO, Conquest Racing
Click here for the full running order after Hour 4.
Click here for the class breakdown.
Click here for the flag breakdown and race control messages.
No. 31 on the charge! pic.twitter.com/rwCNVwe2IE
— Michelin Racing USA (@MichelinRaceUSA) January 24, 2026
Hour 3 leaderboard
A full-course caution flew for a multicar incident involving the No. 83 in LMP2 and the No. 120 Porsche 911 GT3 in GTD. Under yellow, the leaders were:
- GTP: No. 7 963, Porsche Penske Motorsport
- LMP2: No. 99 ORECA, AO Racing
- GTD Pro: No. 64 Ford Mustang GT, Ford Racing
- GTD: No. 96 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Turner Motorsport
Click here for the full running order.
Click here for the class breakdown.
Click here for the flag breakdown and race control messages.
Golden Hour is upon us. Racing is picking up!
— IMSA (@IMSA) January 24, 2026
🟢: Saturday, January 24 | 1:30PM ET
📺: Peacock
🌍: IMSA YouTube Live | IMSA .tv
📻: IMSA Radio pic.twitter.com/MFnwFKxwTL
Colton Herta on the Rolex 24 and his F1 future
Being interviewed on the Peacock Pit Box while watching a near-collision of the No. 6 Porsche 963 and a GT car, Colton Herta offered a bemused smile.
“It’s so easy to tell yourself, ‘Oh, it’s a long race, take it easy,’ and then you put the helmet on and kind of turn into a psychopath, me included,” said Herta, who is among the trio of drivers on the No. 40 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Series.R. “Everybody has a case of that. I guess that’s why we do what we do.”
Famous for being the youngest winner in IndyCar history, Herta also has made quite a name in sports cars as a two-time Rolex 24 at Daytona winner (in GTLM and LMP2) and the overall in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. This year, he is vying for a third Rolex 24 win but his first overall in the Grand Touring Prototype category.
We. Are. So. Back.
— Colton Herta (@ColtonHerta) January 24, 2026
It’s race day, get locked in. #ROLEX24 #IMSA pic.twitter.com/lJTHVsyUnk
Next year, he branches into other motosports series as a full-time F2 driver that will prepare him for a possible career in Cadillac’s new Formula One team. Herta will be the reserve test driver for Cadillac, which will be testing in Barcelona next week.
‘It’s going to be a lot,” said Herta, who has shorn his normally flowing locks ahead of his adventures in Europe and around the globe. “It’s going to be hectic. I’ll be coming from the U.S., going to Europe and testing and preparing to help Cadillac in F1 in any way that I can.
“The main thing is just focus on F2. The F1 team still is learning day by day what I’m going to do. The main focus is getting that car on track, which we saw at Silversone for the shakedown and will at Barcelona for the testing. I’m super excited to see how they do. It’s a huge supportive role and doing what I can to show I’ll be ready when and if my chance comes in Formula One.”
Herta said he will miss IndyCar, where he had raced full time from 2019-25. “I really enjoyed the competitiveness of IndyCar, the ability to be strong,” he said. “The aggressiveness you could drive with that race car. It’s unlike any other car in the world. It’s a joy to drive, and I’ll miss that aspect of it.”
Key upcoming moments in race coverage
With the Rolex 24 being streamed around the clock on Peacock, here are a few important reminders of special times for tuning into the stream:
- 5:56 p.m.: The sunset at Daytona International Speedway should be gorgeous on a Saturday afternoon like this ... and then the action should pick up as the race’s compelxion changes at night with 60 cars whizzing around the road course in darkness
- 10 p.m.: Fireworks! The infield display is always a highlight of the Rolex 24, which continues racing throughout the spectacular overhead show
- Midnight to 6 a.m.: The Peacock audio feed will switch to the always capable team at IMSA radio, which ensures nonstop commentary for 24 hours.
- 6 a.m.: Enjoy breakfast at Daytona as the NBC Sports broadcast team is back on air.
- Noon-2 p.m. : The finish of the race’s 64th running will be covered on NBC and Peacock
Hour 2 leaderboard
Through two hours of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 is in front, followed by PPM’s No. 7 963 and the No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac.
In other classes, the leaders are No. 99 AO Racing ORECA (LMP2), No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R (GTD Pro) and the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 (GTD).
Click here for the full running order.
Click here for the class breakdown.
James Stewart, Will Power as Rolex 24 newbies
Two racing champions from other motorsports series made their Rolex 24 debut this weekend as driver and fan.
Two-time IndyCar champion and 2018 Indy 500 winner Will Power was scheduled to make his debut in the 2023 race but had to cancel at the last minute when his wife, Liz, suffered a near-fatal spinal infection. After switching from Team Penske to Andretti Global for the 2026 season, Will Power is making his first IMSA start this weekend as a GT driver at Daytona, where he is getting acclimated to being in the slowest category.
Different type of race day morning here! Indy wakes you up, but Daytona keeps you up.
— Will Power (@26WillPower_) January 24, 2026
Let’s do this 😤#IMSA \\ #Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/98HbwilXIX
“It’s awesome to see how many people are here and how many different cars and teams,” Power told NBC Sports’ Chris Wilner early in the race. “Very different for me having to constantly watch for people coming by really fast, but I really love the different driving style of GT3 Mercedes. I can’t wait to get in and do a couple of stints and see what it’s all about.”
Supercross legend and NBC Sports analyst James Stewart also was wide-eyed at Daytona during a visit to the Peacock Pit Box with Marty Snider and Steve Letarte. Stewart brought his two sons and clearly has enjoyed their reaction to being among the thousands of fans who have crowded the infield and starting grid, noting “they don’t get like this at Supercross. I can see it in their faces. I guess it’s the cars. It’s really cool.”
Stewart, who dabbled in auto racing while winning several championships on dirt bikes, also has enjoyed the ambiance at the World of Center of Racing, where he once competed annually in Supercross.
“It’s been really cool and different for me,” Stewart said. “I can get behind the scenes and check the cars out. Nice to be here as a fan, I can’t believe how close they can get to the cars and drivers. Reminds me of what we do in Supercross.”
Overall lead change
The intrasquad battle continues as Kevin Estre moves the No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport into first past No. 7 teammate Felipe Nasr.
Last year, the No. 7 and No. 6 traded the lead multiple times in the closing hour before Nasr emerged victorious.
Lead change! The No. 6 & No. 7 swap positions!
— IMSA (@IMSA) January 24, 2026
🟢: Saturday, January 24 | 1:30PM ET
📺: NBC | Peacock
🌍: IMSA YouTube Live | IMSA .tv
📻: IMSA Radio pic.twitter.com/zHNJMljMbY
Leaderboard at Hour 1
The bid for a third consecutive Rolex 24 victory is off to a strong start for Porsche Penske Motorsport’s No. 963, which led nearly all of the first hour. PPM’s No. 6 is running second, followed by the pole-sitter No. 93 Acura ARX-06.
In LMP2, Ben Keating has the No. 52 up front. In GTD Pro, the No. 3 Corvette has led the duration from the pole. In GTD, Winward Racing’s steady No. 57 Mercedes is in first.
Click here for the results of the first hour.
Click here for the class breakdown.
Click here for a rundown or flags and messages from race contol.
Porsche runs 1-2 after 30 minutes
After early chaos, the race seems to be settling into a rhythm but not without more action.
Porsche Penske Motorsport’s pair of 963 now are running 1-2 with Felipe Nasr at the front. No. 6 teammate Kevin Estre moved into the second spot by storming past pole-sitter Renger van der Zande in the No. 93 Acura ARX-06. The pair seemed to make some backstretch contact in the incident.
Other categories, the leaders are: No. 99 AO Racing in LMP2, No. 3 Corvette in GTD Pro, No. 21 Ferrari in GTD.
Second caution approaching 15-minute mark
This cleanup could take a while as the No. 28 Porsche in GTD has heavy front end and rear damage in a single-car incident.
The car slammed a tire barrier near the pit exit entering the infield section of the course. Driver Eric Zitza was able to walk gingerly from the scene while being attended by safety personnel.
Huge hit. #Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/4OLHIvkDbw
— Matt Archuleta (@indy44) January 24, 2026
The No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 leads under yellow with Felipe Nasr behind the wheel.
First caution flies in first 2 minutes
The first full-course yellow flag is out in the Rolex 24 at Daytona to clear debris.
The top three overall: No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 (which jumped from third to first to open its title defense), No. 93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing ARX-06, No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R.
Green flag at Daytona! And a spin!
Less than 30 seconds into a 24-hour race, and the action has begun.
Heading into the first turn, there was an incident involving at least three LMP2 cars, and then one of the BMW hybrid prototypes also spun just ahead in Turn 2 after losing traction on exit.
And there still are 23 hours and 59 minutes to go!
WE'RE GREEN AT DAYTONA!
— IMSA (@IMSA) January 24, 2026
Who's staying up for 24 Hours with us?!!
🟢: Saturday, January 24 | 1:30PM ET
📺: NBC | Peacock
🌍: IMSA YouTube Live | IMSA .tv
📻: IMSA Radio pic.twitter.com/SG1Vo50ly9
Reviewing recent Rolex 24 results
About 15 minutes ahead of the green flag in the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona, here’s a recap of recent winners.
Last year, Porsche Penske Motorsport took its second consecutive overall victory with Felipe Nasr again closing it out in the No. 7 Porsche 963.
Nasr outdueled teammate Matt Campbell in the final hour, taking the lead with 22 minutes remaining to win by 1.335 seconds over Blomqvist in the No. 60 Acura ARX-06 of Meyer Shank Racing.
Below are the results from the last seven years since NBC Sports began broadcasting the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2019:
2019: Wayne Taylor Racing wins with Fernando Alonso
2020: Wayne Taylor Racing wins second consecutive Rolex 24
2021: Wayne Taylor Racing makes it three in a row
2022: Helio Castroneves delivers Rolex 24 win to Meyer Shank Racing
2023: Two in a row as Meyer Shank Racing opens GTP era with victory
2024: Porsche ends 55-year drought for Roger Penske in Rolex 24
2025: Porsche wins second consecutive Rolex 24 at Daytona
Are there any NASCAR drivers in this year’s Rolex 24?
Two full-time Cup Series regulars will be competing in the premier hybrid prototype category.
AJ Allmendinger will return to the Grand Touring Prototype division with the No. 60 Acura ARX-06 of Meyer Shank Racing. The Kaulig Racing driver won the top overall division of the Rolex 24 in 2012 with MSR co-owner Mike Shank.
Let’s have some fun! #Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/UJTbMq1t6E
— AJ Allmendinger (@AJDinger) January 24, 2026
Connor Zilisch, who will be a Cup Series rookie next year after finishing runner-up in the Xfinity Series, will make his GTP debut with the No. 31 Cadillac V-Series.R of Whelen Action Express Racing.
There also are several IndyCar stars in the race. Six-time series champion Scott Dixon, who also leads active drivers with four Rolex 24 victories, is among six full-time IndyCar drivers in the field. Dixon is paired with Allmendinger, Tom Blomqvist and Colin Braun on the No. 60 Acura in GTP.
Packed house today for the 24!! Let’s go get another watch👊🏼👊🏼 pic.twitter.com/ptxl8nixzX
— Connor Zilisch (@ConnorZilisch) January 24, 2026
Three-time defending IndyCar champion Alex Palou, who has won four of the five titles and last year’s Indy 500, will be co-driving the No. 93 ARX-06 for Acura MSR, aligning him with Dixon, his Chip Ganassi Racing teammate.
The GT categories will include two-time series champion and 2018 Indy 500 winner Will Power, 2022 Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson and IndyCar winners Scott McLaughlin and Kyle Kirkwood.
Past IndyCar winners Colton Herta (LMP category), who will be racing overseas in F2 this season, and broadcast analyst James Hinchcliffe (GTD Pro) also are in the race.
Almost time. #Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/wShoz9hTVn
— Rolex 24 Hours (@Rolex24Hours) January 24, 2026
Starting lineup for the 2026 Rolex 24
Click here for the full starting lineup and qualifying results for the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Who is on the Rolex 24 pole?
The Acura Meyer Shank Racing No. 93 Acura ARX-06 qualified second but inherited the pole position because of a technical infraction that nullified the top qualifying speed of the No. 31 Cadillac Whelen Action Express Cadillac V-Series.R.
The No. 40 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Series.R will start second, followed by Porsche Penske Motorsport’s No. 7 Porsche 963, which is seeking a third consecutive Rolex 24 victory as the overall winner in Grand Touring Prototype.
The pole-sitters in other categories are No. 43 Inter Europol Competition ORECA LMP2 07 (LMP2), No. 3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports Corvette Z06 GT3.R (GTD Pro) and the No. 27 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo (GTD).
Who is racing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona?
Drivers in the Rolex 24 will represent at least 30 countries and will be racing across four categories: Grand Touring Prototype (GTP, 12 cars), Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2, 12 cars), GT Daytona Pro (GTD Pro, 15 cars) and GT Daytona (GTD, 22 cars).
The field includes 65 former Rolex 24 winners, 59 winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 52 past IMSA champions.
There also are 12 manufacturers in the Rolex 24, which has an automaker lineup of Porsche (a race-high nine cars), Ferrari, Chevrolet, Mercedes-AMG, BMW, Aston Martin, Ford, Acura, Cadillac, Lamborghini, Lexus and McLaren.
Click here for the starting lineup in the race:
Key storylines in the 64th Rolex 24 at Daytona
- Porsche Penske Motorsport has won back to back in the Rolex 24 and also has consecutive championships in Grand Touring Prototype, the premier category of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
- The defending Rolex 24 at Daytona pole-sitter and a force in GTP qualifying last year, BMW has moved its hybrid prototype program to BMW M Team WRT, an organization with World Endurance Championship experience.
- After splitting with BMW in the GTP category, RLL Team has moved to GTD Pro and aligned with McLaren.
- In GTD Pro, the Chevy vs. Ford rivalry has been renewed. Corvette Racing took the 2025 championship, but the Mustang is the defending Rolex 24 and had more class wins last year.
- A deeper LMP2 category will make for a tough title defense for AO Racing and five-time IMSA champion Dane Cameron.
- Two-time defending GTD series champion Winward Racing will try to open the march toward a third title with its third Rolex 24 victory.
A very good morning from the garage 🤩#Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/AZ1RUicKQ3
— Rolex 24 Hours (@Rolex24Hours) January 24, 2026
Schedule rundown
The green flag will drop at 1:40 p.m. on the 64th Rolex 24 at Daytona, but it’ll be preceded by the usual frenzy and prerace pageantry as thousands crowd the grid and garage of 60 entries.
The garage and pit lane gates opened at 6:30 a.m., and there was minor track activity throughout the morning with parade laps and a historic vintage car race. A driver and team manager briefing was held at 9:30 a.m.
Series officials will be making “recon laps” for more than two hours before the start of the race.
Driver introduction and prerace ceremonies began around 11:15 a.m. on the frontstretch, and the 60-car grid opened to a fan walk at 12: 15 p.m.
Formation laps for the field will begin at 1:30 p.m.
the pageantry 💯 pic.twitter.com/WhFpRWsVRl
— Michelin Racing USA (@MichelinRaceUSA) January 24, 2026
Rolex 24 weather forecast
While much of the country is tracking the path of Winter Storm Fern with concern, the vibes are much different in Daytona Beach.
The Rolex 24 has been battered by frigid conditions and inclement weather often in recent years, but this weekend looks fabulous. Per Weather Underground, it’s expected to be mostly cloudy and a pleasant 71 degrees at the green flag today.
Over the next 24 hours, the low should remain in the low 60s with rain chances never above 16%. The checkered flag should fall as Sunday temperatures peak in the high 80s.
Those are good conditions for racing -- especially with a captive audience that is sheltering in place to avoid the apocalyptic forecasts of snow and ice across the Midwest and Eastern Seaboard!
Daytona International Speedway as the host of a marquee event while the rest of the country faces brutal winter weather … hmmm, where have we heard that before?
A thick fog settles over the speedway as the Rolex 24 inches closer to the green flag on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Despite a promising forecast for the race, a thick fog settled in Saturday morning over Daytona International Speedway (Nadia Zomorodian/News-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images).
