Rolex 24 At Daytona 2026: Porsche Secures Third Consecutive Victory
Daytona, FL – Porsche Penske Motorsport triumphed at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, clinching its third consecutive victory in a race marked by strategic challenges and intense competition. The team, led by driver Felipe Nasr, showcased their prowess by dominating the event for significant portions, leading 375 out of 705 laps.
Nasr, along with co-drivers Julien Andlauer and Laurin Heinrich, encountered setbacks including collisions that impacted the #6 Penske Porsche’s performance. Notably, the #7 car also faced repairs during a six-hour delay caused by fog. Despite these challenges, Nasr fended off a late-race challenge from Jack Aitken in the #31 Cadillac Whelen V-Series.R.
With just 45 minutes remaining, Aitken attempted a bold move at Turn 1 but was denied by Nasr, who maintained his lead to the checkered flag. “Every race is a new challenge, but the team executed flawlessly,” remarked Nasr post-race, marking his third consecutive win at Daytona, matching a record held by Hélio Castroneves.
The comprehensive performance solidified Porsche’s legacy, marking 25 wins at Daytona. The second place went to Action Express Racing’s #31 Cadillac crew, overcoming an early penalty and a last-place start after failing pre-race inspection. Completing the podium was the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8, which marked an impressive debut for BMW M Team WRT in IMSA GTP.
The #6 Penske Porsche, which had dominated for most of the race, ultimately finished fourth, while the #93 Acura from Meyer Shank Racing rounded out the top five—a promising showing until a mechanical failure just before the fog delay hindered their pace.
LMP2 Highlights
In the LMP2 category, CrowdStrike Racing by APR captured its first victory after several near misses in previous years. Driver George Kurtz navigated a challenging race that began with a collision but executed a strategic recovery aided by co-drivers Alex Quinn and Malthe Jakobsen, securing the win with a well-timed fuel stop.
Inter Europol Competition displayed notable consistency, securing second and third places with both of its entries, while United Autosports and AO Racing rounded out the top five—showcasing a resilient LMP2 field but lacking the dramatic twists seen in previous editions.
Race Results Summary
- Overall Win: #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport (Nasr/Andlauer/Heinrich)
- Second Place: #31 Action Express Racing Cadillac (Aitken/Bamber/Vesti/Zilisch)
- Third Place: #24 BMW M Team WRT (van der Linde/Vanthoor/Frijns/Rast)
- LMP2 Winner: CrowdStrike Racing by APR (Kurtz)
Porsche’s robust performance and strategic excellence set a high benchmark for the rest of the IMSA season, reaffirming their status as a formidable force in endurance racing.
