Keating to Compete Solely in LMP2 at 2026 Daytona 24 Hours
In a significant shift for the 2026 Daytona 24 Hours, Ben Keating will focus on a single entry, marking the end of a long-standing practice of competing in multiple cars. The veteran driver will pilot the #52 Oreca 07 for PR1/Mathiasen, dedicating his efforts exclusively to the LMP2 category.
Keating, who has participated in the Rolex 24 with PR1 Mathiasen for the past six years, has typically shared driving responsibilities across two entries. “In this particular race, I’m going to do LMP2 with PR1 again, but I’m only going to be in one car,” he explained in an interview with Motorsport.
This shift follows his decision to leave the IMSA paddock and race full-time in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s LMGT3 class. “Because of not being in that [IMSA] paddock, the relationships aren’t as strong as they were,” Keating noted, emphasizing the transitions within his racing career.
Keating’s participation in the upcoming test at Daytona will see him joining a lineup that includes Misha Goikhberg, Parker Thompson, and Tristan Vautier. The 54-year-old has established himself as a prominent driver, having raced various GT and prototype vehicles on both sides of the Atlantic, including a stint in the top category at Daytona.
In the previous season, Keating co-drove to a third-place finish in LMP2 while also racing a Corvette Z06 GT3.R in GTD Pro. The Oreca 07’s handling and performance continue to impress him: “It’s an incredibly designed car. It does what you want it to do. It’s fun to drive.”
As the 2026 Daytona 24 Hours approaches, Keating’s commitment to a single car highlights his focus on performance and strategy in one of endurance racing’s most prestigious events.
