The Rolex 24 at Daytona is all set for this weekend, where 59 entries across four classes will be competing for one of the more coveted prizes in motorsports, which is to win a Rolex watch at Daytona by Sunday afternoon.
This is a race that people know all too well to be unpredictable, especially with the changing conditions, potential issues that can happen with the car, and the test of a driver’s energy.
Fortunately, drivers aren’t expected to have to deal with any rain this weekend as the forecast appears clear — although this is Central Florida and along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, where storms can seemingly pop up at any time — which should make conditions perfect for the twice-around-the-clock spectacle.
Freaky Fast?
Last weekend saw the previous track record set by Oliver Jarvis in the Mazda DPi broken, with the eligible nine cars in the GTP class all setting a time under the original record.
It is quite a feat, and while the circumstances were perfect for an event like that to occur, the question will be if that speed can continue through the weekend — or perhaps even broken once again.
However, speed isn’t the only true indicator of how good a car can be on a weekend such as the Rolex 24, where durability is more of a priority. However, seeing the times set over the Roar weekend, there is no telling what could be set during this weekend’s race.
The likelihood of seeing the times we saw this past Sunday may not happen given the traffic that GTPs will have to encounter throughout the entire 24-hour event, but you truly just never know, especially for the craziness that happened in this class in last year’s edition of the 24 Hours.
It will be interesting to see if the GTPs can make even more history at a track that knows how to make history all too well.
Workin’ on the fly
It sounds like a cliché, especially for a race of this magnitude. However, it differentiates the teams that will be battling for a class win from the ones that won’t.
While every team will have a set strategy in mind once the green flag waves, that strategy may get tossed out the window in an instant, given the situation.
Nevertheless, pit strategy is a big key in a race such as this, and how will teams implement their driver changes throughout the course of the 24?
The positive of having these pre-race practices is the chance for teams to be able to get a good pace in regards to driver changes and pit stop work as well.
While that is just a small component of the weekend, it may be one of the few things that teams can control heading into a race such as this.
A team that is able to work on the fly and adapt their strategy may be able to bring the best combination to win on Sunday.
Final Thoughts
It is truly hard to believe that the 2024 racing season is here, but it has come, and now it is time to settle in.
As aforementioned, with a race such as this it makes for not only a special season opener but a unique one as well, somewhat setting the predicate for the season to come.
Coming into the weekend, Cadillacs in the GTP class look to be the favorite manufacturer, while GTDs have seen a great influx of Porsches finding rhythm.
Obviously, it’s hard not to leave out the heavy-hitter teams such as Vasser Sullivan and Corvette Racing, but for now, we are seeing more clearcut runs from some other manufacturers.
Indeed, it will be interesting to see how things shape up for the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship opener and what excitement may ensue.
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