2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona; Safety Changes and Intense Competition Kick Off IMSA Season
The 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona, the season opener for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, kicked off with significant changes and intense competition. The iconic Daytona International Speedway saw a reshaped and raised curbing at the Bus Stop chicane, a modification made for safety reasons following a terrifying crash in 2023. However, these changes have drawn mixed reactions from drivers. While some, like Porsche Penske Motorsport’s Matt Campbell, acknowledge the improved safety, others lament the slower and tighter corner, which has made the section less enjoyable and more challenging to navigate.
The race began with BMW securing pole position, marking their first pole in the GTP class. Dries Vanthoor, driving the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8, set a blistering lap time of 1:33.895, edging out Acura and Porsche. The #24 car, shared with Kevin Magnussen, Philipp Eng, and Raffaele Marciello, is a strong contender for the overall victory. Magnussen, a former Formula 1 driver, expressed optimism about his transition to endurance racing, noting the stark differences between F1 and IMSA, particularly the emphasis on consistency and car preservation over 24 hours.
Porsche Penske Motorsport, the defending champions, faced challenges during qualifying. Felipe Nasr secured third place in the #7 Porsche 963, but the sister car, #6, struggled and will start from tenth. Meanwhile, JDC-Miller MotorSports’ Porsche 963 impressed with a fifth-place qualifying result, showcasing the depth of competition in the GTP class.
In the GT categories, Wright Motorsports’ Porsche 911 GT3 R claimed pole position in the GTD class, with Elliott Skeer setting the fastest lap. The Iron Dames, making their IMSA debut, will start eleventh in GTD, while AO Racing’s “Rexy” Porsche 911 GT3 R qualified seventh in GTD Pro.
The race, which began on Saturday, January 25, at 1:40 PM ET, promises to be a thrilling endurance battle, with 61 teams competing across four classes. The event is being streamed live on Peacock in the U.S., with NBC covering the start and finish. As the sun sets and darkness envelops the track, drivers and teams will face the grueling challenge of maintaining pace and avoiding incidents over the next 24 hours. With BMW, Porsche, and Acura leading the charge, the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona is set to deliver high drama and unforgettable moments.
Rolex 24 drivers have mixed feelings about Daytona's new Bus Stop
Big changes to Daytona Speedway's Bus Stop corner have driver's worried about chaotic passes and less exciting racing.
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Kevin Magnussen relishing 'real racing' return with BMW's Daytona 24 pole
Kevin Magnussen is looking forward to being much more competitive in the real racing environment at the Daytona 24 Hours.
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Max Verstappen Predicted to Succeed at 24 Hours of Daytona, According to Champion
A racing icon has speculated that Max Verstappen, a highly adaptable four-time Formula One champion, could succeed at the 24 Hours of Daytona in the f
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Porsche’s Laurens Vanthoor leads after four hours at Daytona
Laurens Vanthoor led the IMSA SportsCar Championship's 63rd running of the 24 Hours of Daytona for the Porsche Penske team
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What channel is Rolex 24 at Daytona on today? Time, TV schedule to watch IMSA race
The 2025 Rolex 24, aka 24 Hours of Daytona, begins Saturday and concludes Sunday. Here's how to watch, including time, TV schedule and streaming info.
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Starting grid for the 2025 Daytona 24 Hours
Check out the full starting grid for the 63rd running of the Rolex 24, otherwise known as the Daytona 24 Hours at the legendary Daytona International
racingnews365.comComprehensive Live NBC, USA, Peacock Schedule for 63rd Rolex 24 At Daytona | IMSA
Peacock to Stream Flag to Flag Coverage of Entire 24-Hour Race Beginning Saturday at 1:30 p.m. ET; NBC to Air Start and Conclusion of Race
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Rolex 24 at Daytona live updates, Hour 8: No. 40 Cadillac out in big crash; Lally accepts bittersweet ending
Follow along for live coverage of the 63rd Rolex 24 at Daytona.
www.nbcsports.com63rd Rolex 24 At Daytona - GTP and LMP2 Team-by-Team | IMSA
Field of 12 GTP and 12 LMP2 Cars Apiece Set to Vie for Rolex Victories
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Daytona 24h: Vanthoor on pole for BMW in LMDh
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Former F1 Racer Kevin Magnussen Will Watch His Elbows at Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona
Desire to keep the car clean early in a 24-hour race has a way of changing how a driver looks at things.
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speedcafe.comBest Porsche 963 to start the 24 Hours of Daytona from second row
The top-performing Porsche 963 from Porsche Penske Motorsport will begin the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener from the second row
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Kevin Magnussen on pole for first post-F1 BMW outing at Daytona 24 Hours
#24 BMW tops Daytona qualifying
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