The 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona concluded with another edge-of-your-seat finish, reinforcing a prevailing trend in endurance motorsport where victories are often decided by mere seconds. The Porsche Penske Motorsport team clinched their third consecutive overall win, demonstrating remarkable consistency and strategic prowess in the face of formidable challenges. This triumph marks a significant addition to Porsche's illustrious history in endurance racing, further cementing their status as a dominant force.
The 64th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona saw a diverse field of 217 drivers across 60 teams compete on the demanding Sports Car course. The GTP class, featuring ten elite cars, was expected to deliver fierce competition, with Acura, Cadillac, and Porsche teams vying for the top spot. Pole position initially went to the Acura Meyer Shank Racing team, though this was later adjusted due to a disqualification, elevating the #40 Cadillac and #6 Penske-Porsche.
From the outset, the #7 Porsche, driven by Felipe Nasr, Julian Andlauer, and Laurin Heinrich, quickly asserted its dominance, taking an early lead and maintaining control for much of the initial hours. Both Penske Porsches managed to establish a significant lead over their rivals. However, the #6 Porsche encountered an unfortunate incident, sustaining damage after a near-collision with a GTD car, forcing it to drop back for repairs. As night fell, a dense fog enveloped the track, leading to an unprecedented 6-hour and 33-minute safety car period, the longest in the event's history. This extended caution reshuffled the field and prompted strategic pit stops, allowing teams to refuel and make necessary adjustments.
The race resumed in the early hours of Sunday, with further incidents, including a crash involving two LMP2 cars, maintaining a high level of tension. The #25 BMW briefly led the GTP class, but the Penske Porsches soon regained their competitive edge. A bold split pit stop strategy by the Porsche Penske team saw the #6 car gain a fuel advantage, albeit temporarily dropping to tenth place. The closing stages of the race were a testament to endurance and precision, with the #7 Porsche crossing the finish line just 1.5 seconds ahead of the hard-charging #31 Cadillac, securing Porsche's 21st overall victory and a third consecutive win for the #7 crew.
In the LMP2 class, intense competition was guaranteed by the standardized chassis and engine combinations and the presence of highly skilled drivers. An early multi-car collision at Turn 1 reshaped the dynamics of the class. Despite early setbacks, the #99 AO Racing car consistently held a strong position through much of the race. The fog-induced safety car period brought new contenders to the forefront, but ultimately, the #04 CrowdStrike Racing car, driven by Malthe Jakobsen, George Kurtz, Alex Quinn, and Tobey Sowery, clinched victory through a perfectly executed final pit stop strategy, overcoming a penalty earlier in the race.
The GTD Pro and GTD classes, featuring an array of GT3 cars from leading manufacturers like Corvette, Mercedes, and Ferrari, delivered continuous excitement. Early on, a close battle saw the #4 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports Corvette lead the GTD Pro class, while the #96 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 Evo headed the GTD field. As the race progressed, lead changes were frequent due to on-track incidents and strategic pit stops. In the final hours, a series of dramatic events, including mechanical failures and collisions, kept the outcome uncertain until the very end. The #1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3 Evo claimed victory in GTD Pro, while the #57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo triumphed in the GTD class.
As is tradition, the winners in each class were honored with a special edition Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch, this year a two-tone steel and yellow gold model with a white dial. The caseback of each watch was engraved with the event's emblem and "Winner 2026," symbolizing the pinnacle of achievement in this iconic endurance race.