24 Hours of Speed: Experience the Rolex 24 at Daytona

If the sound of high-revving engines gives you goosebumps and the idea of racing through the night feels electric, the Rolex 24 at Daytona belongs on your calendar. This legendary endurance race brings fans from around the world to Daytona International Speedway for a full day of nonstop action, from the first green flag to the final sunrise. There’s nothing quite like watching cars roar past at midnight, headlights cutting through the darkness, while the grandstands buzz with energy that never seems to fade. It’s the kind of event people plan entire trips around, and it pairs perfectly with a laid-back beach stay at The Beach Front Motel in Flagler Beach.

Known as North America’s most prestigious sports car race, the Rolex 24 at Daytona — set for January 22–25, 2026 — kicks off the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. IMSA got its start back in 1969 and has grown into the premier sports car racing series on the continent, hosting some of the most respected endurance races in the world. For the 64th running of the Rolex 24, a full field of 61 cars will take on the challenge, all racing at the same time in four different classes: GTP, GTD Pro, LMP2, and GTD. Each class battles within its own group, which means position changes and strategy battles are happening everywhere you look.

The race takes place on Daytona International Speedway’s road course, not just the famous oval most people associate with NASCAR. This layout combines the infield road course with the high-banked turns of the oval, creating a fast, technical circuit that demands precision and bravery. The track itself dates back to 1959 and first hosted what would become the Rolex 24 in 1962 as the three-hour Daytona Continental. By 1966, the race had expanded to a full 24 hours, and despite a few small tweaks over the decades, the course has largely kept its original character. There’s a sense of history here that longtime fans feel the moment they walk through the gates.

Endurance racing works a little differently than the sprint races many fans are used to watching. Teams can have up to four drivers sharing one car, rotating in and out every one to three hours during scheduled pit stops. Each driver is limited to a maximum of 13 hours behind the wheel, which keeps everyone sharp and forces teams to think strategically. Racing through both daylight and darkness adds another layer of difficulty, as track conditions change and fatigue becomes a real factor. This constant balancing act is why many drivers consider endurance racing the purest test of both man and machine.

Part of what makes the Rolex 24 so special is the caliber of drivers it attracts. You’ll see IMSA champions lining up alongside stars from NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula E, and even Formula 1. Many of these drivers come back year after year simply because they love endurance racing. The mix of backgrounds creates an incredible atmosphere in the paddock and on track, and fans get to watch world-class talent push themselves to the limit for a full 24 hours.

Winning the Rolex 24 comes with one of the coolest prizes in motorsports. Along with the trophy, each class winner receives a Rolex watch engraved with the year of the victory. Legends like Scott Pruett and Hurley Haywood hold the record for most overall wins at five each, while Porsche stands far above the rest as the most successful engine manufacturer with 23 victories. In the 2025 edition, Porsche Penske Motorsport took first overall in the GTP class with the No. 7 Porsche 963, going back-to-back with Felipe Nasr playing a key role in the win.

Fans love the access that comes with a Rolex 24 ticket. Admission includes garage access for all four days of IMSA action, which means you can walk through the paddock, watch teams work on the cars, and even catch drivers during autograph sessions. There are two- and four-day admission packages, along with upgrades like suite-level hospitality and VIP experiences that put you right in the middle of the action. Tickets are available through Daytona International Speedway, and there are plenty of ways to tailor the weekend to your style.

After a long day at the track, it’s hard to beat heading north for some fresh ocean air and a quieter place to unwind. Daytona sits just 30 minutes south of Flagler Beach, making it easy to enjoy the intensity of race day and then retreat to the coast. For race fans who want the best of both worlds, The Beach Front Motel offers a relaxed seaside stay that pairs perfectly with one of the most iconic motorsports events in the world.