Fan Guide: 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona

Race Weekend Schedule

The Rolex 24 is more than just a race; it's a four-day festival of speed. The main event starts Saturday afternoon.

Date	Event	Time (ET)
Thursday, Jan 22	WeatherTech Championship Qualifying	2:05 PM - 3:25 PM
Friday, Jan 23	BMW M Endurance Challenge (Michelin Pilot)	1:45 PM - 5:45 PM
Saturday, Jan 24	Open Grid / Fan Walk	12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Saturday, Jan 24	Green Flag: 64th Rolex 24 Start	1:40 PM
Sunday, Jan 25	Checkered Flag: Race Finish	1:40 PM

Fan Logistics & Pro-Tips

Arrival & Parking

Free Parking: Lot 3 (across from the track behind Bass Pro Shops) is typically free but requires a long walk across the pedestrian bridge.
Paid Parking: Lot 4 (near Turn 4) is closer but fills up fast and requires a pre-purchased permit.
The Tram System: Use the free trams to move between the Infield and the Grandstands. They run 24 hours but expect long lines right after the start and before the finish.

What to Bring (and Bag Policy)

Max Bag Size: 18x18x14 inches. Soft-sided coolers: 14x14x14 inches.

Layering is Key: Florida in January can be 70°F during the day and drop to 30°F at night. Bring a heavy jacket and a blanket for the 3:00 AM stint.
Noise Protection: Earplugs or noise-canceling headsets are mandatory for comfort—the GTP prototypes and GTD cars are deafening in the canyons of the grandstands.
Food & Drink: You can bring your own food and alcohol (no glass containers). This is the best way to save money over 24 hours.
Comfort: Metal-frame chairs are prohibited in the stands, but soft seat cushions are highly recommended for the aluminum bleachers.

Insider Tip: Visit the Hard Rock Bet Fanzone to sign the start/finish line on Saturday morning and get up close to the cars in the garages during the night!

Where to Watch

The Grandstands: Best for seeing the entire track and the pits. At night, the sight of brake rotors glowing cherry-red entering Turn 1 is iconic.
The Infield (Turn 1 / International Horseshoe): High-action overtaking zones. Great for photography.
The Ferris Wheel: Located in the Midway, it offers the most famous view of the track at night (additional cost).

Understanding the Classes

The Rolex 24 features four distinct classes of cars racing simultaneously. To tell them apart at night, look at the color of the LED number panels on the side of each car.

GTP (Grand Touring Prototype)

The "Fastest": The top-tier class featuring high-tech hybrid engines. These cars represent factory efforts from Acura, BMW, Cadillac, Porsche, and Lamborghini.

Power: ~670–700 hp
Top Speed: 202-205 mph
Key Feature: Cutting-edge hybrid systems and unique manufacturer bodywork.

LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2)

The "Faster": Identical chassis (mostly ORECA 07) used by independent teams. They are fast but do not have the hybrid boost of the GTPs.

Power: ~500-540 hp
Top Speed: 185-190 mph
Key Feature: Blue number plates. A mix of professional and "amateur" (bronze/silver) drivers.

GTD PRO (GT Daytona Pro)

The "Production-Based": Race versions of cars you can buy (Corvette, Ferrari, Porsche, Mustang). This class is for 100% professional driver lineups.

Power: ~500 hp (regulated by BoP)
Top Speed: 175-180 mph
Key Feature: Red number plates. Includes heavy factory backing.

GTD (GT Daytona)

The "Pro-Am": Uses the same GT3 cars as GTD Pro, but the rules require at least one "Amateur" (Bronze or Silver rated) driver per car.

Power: Same as GTD Pro
Power: Same as GTD Pro
Key Feature: Green number plates. Often the largest and most diverse class.

2026 Key Entries & Star Drivers

The 2026 grid features a massive influx of talent from Formula 1, IndyCar, and NASCAR. Here are the "must-watch" teams:

Class	No.	Team / Car	Key Drivers
GTP	60	Meyer Shank Racing (Acura ARX-06)	Scott Dixon, Tom Blomqvist, Colin Braun, AJ Allmendinger
GTP	25	BMW M Team WRT (BMW M Hybrid V8)	Kevin Magnussen, Raffaele Marciello, Philipp Eng
GTP	23	Aston Martin THOR Team (Valkyrie)	Ross Gunn, Alex Riberas, Marco Sorensen
LMP2	18	Era Motorsport (Oreca 07)	Logan Sargeant, Ferdinand Habsburg, Naveen Rao
GTD PRO	75	75 Express (Mercedes-AMG GT3)	Will Power, Maro Engel, Chaz Mostert, Kenny Habul
GTD PRO	3 / 4	Corvette Racing (Z06 GT3.R)	Antonio Garcia, Alexander Sims, Nicky Catsburg

Key 2026 Storylines to Watch:

The "Valkyrie" V12: The No. 23 Aston Martin is the only car on the grid with a non-hybrid V12. You will hear it coming long before you see it—it has a much higher-pitched scream than the Cadillacs or Acuras.

WTR Cadillac Color Swap: For 2026, Wayne Taylor Racing has ditched the "Konica Minolta" chrome blue for a more traditional metallic blue on the #10 and a stealthy black on the #40.

The Logan Sargeant Debut: Former F1 driver Logan Sargeant joins Era Motorsport in the #18 LMP2. This car is a fan favorite because the livery is traditionally based on a child's drawing.

IndyCar Champion Presence: Alex Palou (3-time champ) is in the #93 Acura, while Will Power makes a rare GT appearance in the #75 Mercedes.

Radio & Scanner Guide

Watching the Rolex 24 without a radio is like watching a movie with the sound off. Here is how to stay tuned in for all 24 hours.

Pro Tip: Buy a Racing Electronics scanner or frequency sheet at the track. It allows you to listen to direct team communications (e.g., "The brakes are fading!" or "We’re going to fuel-save mode").

Key Frequencies for 2026

Channel	Frequency / Source	What You’ll Hear
IMSA Radio	454.000 (Local) / 107.9 FM	The iconic "Radio Le Mans" crew. Essential for play-by-play.
Race Control	461.200 / 464.400	Officials announcing penalties, full-course yellows, and wave-arounds.
SiriusXM	XM 206 / App 996	National broadcast—perfect for listening in your car or at camp.
TV Broadcast	450.425	The NBC/Peacock audio feed (great if you have a clear line of sight to the big screens).

Digital Options (Free & Paid)

Official IMSA App: Includes free "IMSA Radio" stream and Live Timing & Scoring. Use the track's free Wi-Fi, but be warned it gets congested!
Scanner Rental: You can rent a headset at the Midway. Note: Rentals must be pre-ordered via Racing Electronics; walk-ups are usually not available.
The "Fan Walk" Trick: If you don't have a scanner, many teams post their car's frequency on a sticker near the fuel port or on the side of the pit box.

Night Shift Survival Guide

The "Night Shift" (midnight to 6:00 AM) is the heart of the Rolex 24. Here is how to handle it:

Walk the Garages: Between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM, the infield garages are surreal. You can see mechanics performing "miracle" repairs in total silence.
Stay Warm: The temperature drops rapidly once the sun sets over the backstretch. Even if it’s 70°F at noon, plan for 40°F at 4:00 AM.
Caffeine: Coffee is available at the "Fanzone" and several infield cafes that stay open 24/7.