Corvette’s Enduring Legacy at the Rolex 24: A Saga of Speed, Strategy, and Triumph
In the sweltering heat of Florida’s Daytona International Speedway, where the roar of engines echoes like thunder across the high banks, the story of Corvette Racing unfolds like a high-octane epic. Born from the iconic American sports car introduced to the world on January 17, 1953, in New York City—when just 300 Corvettes rolled off the line—the Chevrolet Corvette has evolved from a stylish roadster into a fearsome track warrior.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
Now, 73 years later, its racing program, spearheaded by Corvette Racing since 1999, has racked up an astonishing 154 victories worldwide, including 118 in IMSA, nine at Le Mans, and a host of others across global series. But nowhere is this legacy more vividly etched than in the grueling Rolex 24 at Daytona, a 24-hour endurance test that has seen Corvette entries complete a staggering 74,013.04 racing miles—enough to traverse Daytona Beach 3,218 times. This is the tale of resilience, innovation, and glory, supported by the numbers that define an era.
The journey began in 1999, when Corvette Racing burst onto the scene with the C5-R, a machine built for battle. Piloted by legends like Ron Fellows, Chris Kneifel, and John Paul Jr. in the No. 2 entry, they charged to a third-place finish in GTS, while teammates Andy Pilgrim, Scott Sharp, and John Heinricy battled to 12th in the No. 4. It was a promising debut, but the team was hungry for more.
By 2000, the No. 3 C5-R with Fellows, Kneifel, and Justin Bell claimed second in GTS, signaling that victory was within reach. The breakthrough came in 2001, a year etched in Corvette lore. The No. 2 C5-R, driven by Fellows, Johnny O’Connell, Kneifel, and Franck Freon, not only won the GTS class but claimed the overall Rolex 24 victory—a feat accomplished after 656 laps and 2,335.36 miles of relentless racing.
It was Corvette’s second overall win in the event’s history, but the first under the Corvette Racing banner. Close behind, the No. 3 entry with Pilgrim, Kelly Collins, Dale Earnhardt, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. took second, turning heads and cementing Corvette’s place among the elite.
After a hiatus, Corvette returned with a vengeance in 2014, unleashing the C7.R in the GTLM class. The No. 3, helmed by Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia, and Ryan Briscoe, finished 10th, while Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, and Robin Liddell brought the No. 4 home fifth.
But 2015 was a turning point: Magnussen, Garcia, and Briscoe dominated to win GTLM, with Magnussen setting the fastest race lap. Their sister car, with Gavin (who snagged pole), Milner, and Simon Pagenaud, podiumed in third.
The drama peaked in 2016 when Gavin, Milner, and Marcel Fässler in the No. 4 edged out victory by a razor-thin 0.034 seconds—the closest finish in Rolex 24 history. Magnussen, Garcia, and Mike Rockenfeller took second, with Garcia blazing the fastest lap.
These back-to-back wins marked two of Corvette Racing’s four Rolex 24 triumphs as an entrant (run by Pratt Miller Motorsports), adding to the 2001 overall and later the 2021 GTLM crown.
The C7.R era continued with grit. In 2017, the teams placed fourth and ninth; 2018 brought a pole for Magnussen and podiums of third and fourth; 2019 saw sixth and eighth. Through it all, drivers like Rockenfeller and Fässler became synonymous with Corvette’s unyielding spirit.
By 2020, the revolutionary mid-engine C8.R debuted. Garcia, Jordan Taylor, and Nicky Catsburg finished fourth in GTLM, while Gavin, Milner, and Fässler took seventh. But 2021 was pure magic: Garcia, Taylor, and Catsburg claimed the GTLM win, with Milner, Nick Tandy, and Alexander Sims hot on their heels in second. This victory was Corvette’s fourth at Daytona, a testament to the program’s 15 Manufacturer Championships since 2001.
Shifting to GTD PRO in 2022, the C8.R faced stiffer competition. Garcia, Taylor, and Catsburg ended sixth, while Milner, Tandy, and Marco Sorensen placed 10th. In 2023, a streamlined single-entry No. 3 with Garcia, Taylor, and Milner charged to second, keeping the podium streak alive.
Then came the Z06 GT3.R era in 2024, with five Corvettes storming the field for the first time—a number repeated in 2025. In 2024’s GTD PRO, Garcia, Sims, and Daniel Juncadella finished fifth, while Milner, Catsburg, and Earl Bamber took eighth. Customer teams shone too: The No. 13 from AWA (now 13 Autosport) with Matt Bell, Orey Fidani, Lars Kern, and Alex Lynn placed 21st in GTD, and the No. 17 from the team (Nico Varrone, Anthony Mantella, Thomas Merrill, Charlie Eastwood) 18th.
The 2025 race amplified the excitement, with five Z06 GT3.R entries again—two from Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller, and one each from 13 Autosport, DXDT Racing, and another partner (listed as No. 36, perhaps DragonSpeed).
In GTD PRO, Garcia, Sims, and Juncadella secured second; Milner, Catsburg, and Varrone seventh; and a star-studded No. 91 with Ben Keating, Scott McLaughlin, Shane Van Gisbergen, and Connor Zilisch ninth.
But the spotlight belonged to GTD, where 13 Autosport’s No. 13 (Bell, Fidani, Kern, Marvin Kirchhöfer) triumphed, marking their second Rolex 24 class win after LMP3 in 2023. DXDT’s No. 36 (Eastwood, Alec Udell, Salih Yoluc, Pipo Derani) finished 19th. This victory contributed to the Z06 GT3.R’s impressive 16 wins across six series in 2025, including two in IMSA.
Over 359 event starts since 1999, Corvette Racing has enlisted 76 drivers, with 43 competing at Daytona alone—from icons like the Earnhardts to newcomers like Yasser Shahin. Forty drivers have tasted victory in Corvette entries, the latest being Tom Van Rompuy at Fuji. Seven factory drivers piloted the Z06 GT3.R in 2025: Garcia, Sims, Kirchhöfer, Milner, Catsburg, Varrone, and Eastwood. The program has conquered 33 tracks worldwide, from Daytona to Fuji, and amassed 462,758.39 racing miles—nearing half a million this season.
This is more than data; it’s a narrative of American ingenuity pushing boundaries. From the C5-R’s overall conquest to the Z06 GT3.R’s customer-team glory, Corvette Racing embodies endurance racing’s essence: innovation, teamwork, and an unbreakable will to win. As the checkered flag waves on another chapter, the Corvette’s roar at Daytona promises more legends in the making.
CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: By the Numbers
0.034:As in seconds – the winning margin of victory in Corvette Racing’s 1-2 finish at the 2016 Rolex 24. Up until 2023’s LMP2 finish, it was the closest finish in race history
2: Number of the overall winning Corvette C5-R in the 2001 Rolex 24. Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell, Chris Kneifel and Franck Freon completed 656 laps for 2335.36 miles in the winning effort.
2: Rolex 24 class wins for AWA (now 13 Autosport); the team won in LMP3 in 2023 and won in GTD with its Corvette in 2025. Three of the four drivers return to defend this year
4: Rolex 24 wins for Corvette Racing as an entrant (run by Pratt Miller Motorsports): 2001 overall (Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell, Kelly Collins, Franck Freon), 2015 GTLM (Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen/Ryan Briscoe), 2016 GTLM (Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler) and 2021 GTLM (Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg)
5: Number of Corvette Z06 GT3.R entries for the 2025 Rolex 24 – two from Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports and one each from 13 Autosport, DXDT Racing and DragonSpeed (GTD). It’s the second straight year with five Corvettes in the race
7: Corvette factory drivers piloting the Corvette Z06 GT3.R in this year’s race: Antonio Garcia, Alexander Sims, Marvin Kirchhöfer, Tommy Milner, Nicky Catsburg, Nico Varrone (Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller) plus Charlie Eastwood (DXDT Racing)
15: Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001
16: Wins in 2025 for the Corvette Z06 GT3.R across six different series. Two of those came in IMSA competition
33:Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Chang International Circuit (Thailand), Daytona, Detroit, Fuji, Houston, Imola, Indianapolis, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Lusail International Circuit (Qatar), Sepang International Circuit (Malaysia), Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portimão, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen
40: Number of drivers to win races in Corvette Racing entries since 1999. The latest to join the list was Tom Van Rompuy at Fuji in September
43: Drivers who have driven Corvette Racing entries at Daytona – Earl Bamber, Justin Bell, Matt Bell, Ryan Briscoe, Nicky Catsburg, Kelly Collins, Pipo Derani, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Charlie Eastwood, Marcel Fässler, Ron Fellows, Orey Fidani, Franck Freon, Antonio Garcia, Oliver Gavin, John Heinricy, Daniel Juncadella, Ben Keating, Lars Kern, Marvin Kirchhöfer, Chris Kneifel, Robin Liddell, Alex Lynn, Jan Magnussen, Anthony Mantella, Scott McLaughlin, Thomas Merrill, Tommy Milner, Simon Pagenaud, John Paul Jr., Andy Pilgrim, Mike Rockenfeller, Scott Sharp, Alexander Sims, Marco Sorensen, Nick Tandy, Jordan Taylor, Alec Udell, Shane Van Gisbergen, Nico Varrone, Salih Yoluc and Connor Zilisch
73:Years since Corvette was introduced to the world on Jan. 17, 1953 in New York City. A total of 300 cars were produced that year
76: Number of drivers in Corvette Racing entries since 1999. Johor Motorsports Racing’s Yasser Shahin and TF Sport’s James Roe were the latest in December’s opening round of the Asian Le Mans Series in Sepang
154:Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 118 in IMSA, nine at Le Mans, five in the FIA WEC, 13 in GT World Challenge America, three in GT World Challenge Asia and GT America and two in the European Le Mans Series
359:Event starts by Corvette Racing since 1999
74.013.04:Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing entries at Daytona since 1999. That equates to 3,218 trips across the length of Daytona Beach – approximately 23 miles
462,758.39: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing since its inception. The program should surpass the half-million mile mark midway through this season
Corvette Racing History at The Rolex 24 (wins in bold)
1999 – No. 2 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/John Paul Jr. – 3rd in GTS
No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Scott Sharp/John Heinricy – 12th in GTS
2000 – No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/Justin Bell – 2nd in GTS
No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 10th in GTS
2001 – No. 2 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Chris Kneifel/Franck Freon – 1st in GTS (overall win)
No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Dale Earnhardt/Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 2nd in GTS
2014 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 10th in GTLM
No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Robin Liddell – 5th in GTLM
2015 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 1st in GTLM (Magnussen fastest race lap)
No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Simon Pagenaud – 3rd in GTLM (Gavin pole)
2016 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 2nd in GTLM (Garcia fastest race lap)
No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 1st in GTLM (Winner by 0.034 second)
2017 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 4th in GTLM
No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 9th in GTLM
2018 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 3rd in GTLM (Magnussen pole)
No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 4th in GTLM
2019 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 6th in GTLM
No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 8th in GTLM
2020 – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 4th in GTLM
No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 7th in GTLM
2021 – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 1st in GTLM
No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy/Alexander Sims – 2nd in GTLM
2022 – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 6th in GTD PRO
No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy/Marco Sorensen – 10th in GTD PRO
2023 – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Tommy Milner – 2nd in GTD PRO
2024 – No. 3 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Antonio Garcia/Alexander Sims/Daniel Juncadella – 5th in GTD PRO
No. 4 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Tommy Milner/Nicky Catsburg/Earl Bamber – 8th in GTD PRO
No. 13 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Matt Bell/Orey Fidani/Lars Kern/Alex Lynn – 21st in GTD
No. 17 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Nico Varrone/Anthony Mantella/Thomas Merrill/Charlie Eastwood – 18th in GTD
2025 – No. 3 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Antonio Garcia/Alexander Sims/Daniel Juncadella – 2nd in GTD PRO
No. 4 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Tommy Milner/Nicky Catsburg/Nico Varrone – 7th in GTD PRO
No. 91 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Ben Keating/Scott McLaughlin/Shane Van Gisbergen/Connor Zilisch – 9th in GTD PRO
No. 13 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Matt Bell/Orey Fidani/Lars Kern/Marvin Kirchhöfer – 1st in GTD
No. 36 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Charlie Eastwood/Alec Udell/Salih Yoluc/Pipo Derani – 19th in GTD