IMSA Season Opener 2026: Packed GTP Field and Strong GT3 Classes at the 24 Hours of Daytona
While the FIA World Endurance Championship While still in winter break, sports car fans are already turning their gaze to Florida. On January 24 and 25, 2026 starts the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the 24 Hours of Daytona into the new season. Overall Elf vehicles compete in the top-class GTP for the prestigious overall victory.
GTP Class: Factory Strength and Technical Diversity
The GTP class will once again form the sporting centerpiece of the Daytona classic in 2026. Porsche is represented by three 963s, two of which are from Porsche Penske Motorsport. Among those sitting in the cockpits are Laurens Vanthoor, Kevin Estre, Matt Campbell, Felipe Nasr, Julien Andlauer, and Laurin Heinrich. The roster is rounded out by a private deployment of JDC-Miller MotorSports.
Among the strongest contenders is Cadillac, which with several V-Series.R start. Wayne Taylor Racing brings two vehicles to the start, while Action Express Racing is also represented under the well-known Cadillac-Whelen banner. Cadillac relies on the proven naturally aspirated V8 engine and extensive IMSA experience.
By BMW takes over for the first time With respect to the responsibility for the IMSA deployment of BMW M Hybrid V8. Drivers like Philipp Eng, Dries Vanthoor, and Sheldon van der Linde ensure international top cast. Acura stays with the ARX-06 exclusively loyal to IMSA and will again be by Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian used. A special role is taken by the Aston Martin Valkyrie one, who as sole LMH in the field compete and from Ross Gunn, Roman De Angelis, Alex Riberas, and Marco Sørensen is piloted.
Daytona as a special challenge
The Daytona International Speedway combines high-speed ovals and technical infield sections into one of the most demanding tracks on the calendar. Long full-throttle passages, dense traffic, and significant temperature differences between day and night put cars, tires, and drivers to a severe test over 24 hours.
LMP2: Consistent Technology, Close Battles
In addition to the GTP Hypercars, 13 LMP2 class vehicles reported. Only vehicles adhering to a uniform technical regulation are used, which traditionally ensures a high performance density. The LMP2 is considered tactically demanding, as mistakes in traffic or on the pit lane often carry more weight than pure speed.
GT3 Classes: Manufacturer Diversity and Prominent Drivers
The GT3 Field comprises a total of 36 vehicles, distributed across GTD Pro and Getting Things Done. In the GTD Pro-Class is exclusively for professional crews. Represented are, among others, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-AMG, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Lexus, and Chevrolet.
Special attention is given to the performance of Manthey, which will debut in 2026 with the distinctive „Grello“ starting in Daytona. The team brings extensive experience from international 24-hour races and faces strong competition in GTD Pro. BMW relies on established IMSA structures, Mercedes-AMG is represented by several powerful customer teams, while Ferrari and Lamborghini are counting on proven driver lineups from international GT racing.
In the GTD Class The Pro-Am concept remains the focus. Here too, the brand diversity is great, and numerous experienced IMSA teams use Daytona as the highlight of the season. For many young drivers, the race also offers an opportunity to present themselves on the international stage.
Historical significance
The 24 Hours of Daytona is considered the most important race of the IMSA season and the traditional kickoff to the international endurance racing year. In the still-young GTP era, which began in 2023, the race holds particular significance for the further development of the top class.
Conclusion: Daytona 2026 unites a top-class GTP field with strong factory involvement, a competitive LMP2 grid, and an exceptionally diverse GT3 lineup. This promises the IMSA season opener once again to deliver endurance racing at the highest sporting and technical level.