IMSA Rolex 24 Hour 8: Penske Porsches dominate at 1/3 Mark
As the Rolex 24 at Daytona hits the one-third mark on January 24-25, 2026, misty conditions have descended on the track, reducing visibility particularly on the back straight and challenging spotters.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
The race has enjoyed a prolonged green-flag run through the early night hours, with strategic pit stops reshaping the order. No cautions were reported during this hour, allowing teams to focus on endurance and tire management amid the fog.
GTP Class
Porsche Penske Motorsport continues to dominate GTP, with the No. 6 entry taking over the lead after Felipe Nasr pitted the No. 7 sister car at the end of the hour. The No. 93 Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-06 holds third, followed by the No. 10 and No. 31 Cadillac V-Series.R entries in fourth and fifth. A setback hit the No. 24 BMW M Hybrid V8, which fell to 10th and off the lead lap following an extended pit stop where Robin Frijns reported an unusual feeling in the car, prompting diagnostic checks and resets.
LMP2 Class
AO Racing maintains control in LMP2, with PJ Hyett in the No. 99 Oreca leading by 8.6 seconds over George Kurtz in the No. 04 CrowdStrike Racing by APR entry. Daniel Goldburg pilots the No. 22 United Autosports Oreca in third, while Misha Goikhberg holds fourth in the Bryan Herta PR1 ORECA. The class ran cleanly, with no major incidents disrupting the order.
GTD Pro Class
Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsport has locked down the top spots in GTD Pro, with the factory No. 3 and No. 4 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R cars running first and second, separated by just seven seconds. The No. 69 GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo sits third, about 90 seconds back, while Neil Verhagen in the No. 1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3 EVO is fourth. Verhagen remains optimistic about closing the gap, noting the team’s earlier push for IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup points before adopting a more conservative strategy to save tires, mirroring the Corvettes’ approach.
GTD Class
The No. 27 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo leads GTD with Mattia Drudi at the wheel, ahead of the No. 21 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 in second. A notable retirement came for the Riley Ford, which completed only 115 laps before pulling out due to a steering rack failure.
Notable Incidents and Strategy
Beyond the Riley Ford’s exit, the hour was relatively incident-free, emphasizing strategy over drama. Teams like Corvette and Paul Miller are prioritizing tire conservation for the long haul, while pit timing—such as Nasr’s stop in GTP—has proven pivotal in maintaining positions. The mist adds an extra layer of caution, potentially influencing pace as the night deepens.
With 16 hours left, the fog and fatigue will test teams further at Daytona International Speedway. Endurance strategies are coming into sharp focus as the race approaches its midpoint.