IMSA News: 2026 Daytona Preseason Test Report

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship kicked off its preparations for the 2026 season with a two-day preseason test at Daytona International Speedway on November 14-15, 2025.

This event served as a critical shakedown for teams, drivers, and machinery ahead of the Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 24-25, 2026. Friday focused on GTP and LMP2 prototypes with two daytime sessions, while Saturday expanded to three sessions for prototypes (morning, afternoon, and night) before shifting emphasis to GT classes (GTD Pro and GTD) in the evening.

Sunday was reserved for additional GT running. A total of 37 cars across all classes participated, showcasing new manufacturer updates, revised driver lineups, and debut appearances for evolved machinery.

The test emphasized reliability, setup optimization, and adaptation to 2026-spec components, including updated tires and aero kits. Lap times were secondary to mileage accumulation, with minimal incidents reported. Over 1,000 laps were logged collectively, highlighting smooth integration of newcomers like the Lamborghini Temerario GT3 and evolved Porsche 911 GT3 R (992). Attendance was strong, with teams like Penske Porsche Motorsport, Acura Meyer Shank Racing, and BMW M Team WRT leading the prototype charge.

Friday Sessions (GTP/LMP2 Focus)

Day one featured two 90-minute sessions under clear skies, allowing teams to baseline setups. Acura Meyer Shank Racing dominated, with Nick Yelloly’s 1m35.725s in the No. 93 ARX-06 setting the weekend’s fastest GTP time during the morning run. Teammate Renger van der Zande followed closely at 1m35.983. JDC-Miller MotorSports’ No. 85 Porsche 963 (Nico Pino) posted the afternoon best at 1m36.015s. In LMP2, TDS Racing’s No. 11 ORECA (Charles Milesi) led with a 1m39.176, edging Pratt Miller Motorsports’ No. 73 (Pietro Fittipaldi) by one millisecond at 1m39.177s. No major issues arose, though the No. 23 Aston Martin Valkyrie encountered early electrical gremlins, resolved by Saturday.

Saturday Sessions: Prototypes and GT Rollout

Saturday’s triple-header for prototypes built on Friday’s momentum. The morning (Session 3) saw Acura MSR’s No. 60 (Helio Castroneves) top GTP at 1m36.240s, while Pratt Miller’s No. 73 LMP2 (Fittipaldi) led at 1m39.430s. Afternoon Session 4 shifted to JDC-Miller’s Pino (1m36.015s) for GTP’s daily best, with TDS reclaiming LMP2 honors at 1m39.176.

The evening’s 90-minute night session (Session 5) capped prototype testing under the lights, with BMW M Team WRT sweeping 1-2: Marco Wittmann (No. 25, 1m36.697s) and Dries Vanthoor (No. 24, 1m36.770s). CrowdStrike Racing by APR’s No. 04 ORECA (Alex Quinn, 1m40.340) paced LMP2. Times were conservatively slower due to visibility and cooler track conditions, prioritizing endurance data. Notable debutants included NASCAR’s Connor Zilisch (81 laps in No. 31 Cadillac Whelen, best 1m37.455s) and AJ Allmendinger (returning to MSR Acura).

GT classes joined mid-day, debuting updates like the Lamborghini Temerario GT3 (No. 9 Pfaff, 134 trouble-free laps), Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO (No. 21 AF Corse), McLaren 720S GT3 EVO (No. 59 RLL), and Ford Mustang GT3 (Multimatic and Myers Riley entries). Winward Racing’s Mercedes-AMGs shone in Session 5, with Lucas Auer’s No. 57 (GTD, 1m47.156s) claiming the GT-fastest lap overall. Minor reds interrupted for a loose wheel (AO Racing No. 99) and steering issue (Magnus No. 44).

Key Highlights and Reactions

– Prototype Parity: Acura’s early edge (1m35.725s weekend best) highlighted aero/tire gains, but BMW’s night dominance (WRT entries) signaled strong 2026 potential. Porsche Penske and JDC-Miller remained competitive, with Pino’s 1m36.015 as Saturday’s quickest.
– LMP2 Lineups: Revised rosters debuted, including United Autosports’ No. 2 (adding Mikkel Jensen, Hunter McElrea) and TDS’ No. 11 (Tobi Lutke, David Heinemeier Hansson, Mathias Beche, Milesi). Pratt Miller’s No. 73 impressed with Fittipaldi’s near-record pace.
– GT Innovations: The Temerario’s drivability upgrades were praised by Caldarelli (“feels more planted than the Huracán”). Preining lauded Porsche’s 992 updates as “steering in the right direction.” Ford’s Mustang GT3 (No. 16 Myers Riley, with Romain Grosjean) logged clean miles.
– Incidents: Sparse, with only two reds in prototypes; GT saw smoother integration despite novelties.
– Outlook: Teams expressed optimism for 2026, with WRT’s Robin Frijns noting “perfect weekend” for BMW setups. Focus shifts to GT Sunday and simulator work.

Combined Results Through All 5 Sessions

GTP (Top 10 Combined)

LMP2 (Top 10 Combined)

GTD Pro (Top 10 Combined)

GTD (Top 10 Combined)