IMSA season opener 2026: Top-ranked GTP field and strong GT3 classes at the 24 Hours of Daytona
While the FIA World Endurance Championship is still in its winter break, sports car fans are already looking towards Florida. On January 24 and 25, 2026, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will kick off the new season with the 24 Hours of Daytona. A total of eleven vehicles will be battling for the prestigious overall victory in the top GTP class.
GTP class: factory strength and technical diversity
The GTP class will once again form the sporting center of the Daytona classic in 2026. Porsche is represented with three 963s, including two cars from Porsche Penske Motorsport. The drivers in the cockpits include Laurens Vanthoor, Kevin Estre, Matt Campbell, Felipe Nasr, Julien Andlauer and Laurin Heinrich. The line-up will be supplemented by a private entry from JDC-Miller MotorSports.
One of the strongest challengers is Cadillac, which will line up with several V-Series.R cars. Wayne Taylor Racing will enter two cars, while Action Express Racing will also be represented under the familiar Cadillac-Whelen banner. Cadillac is relying on the proven naturally aspirated V8 engine and extensive IMSA experience.
At BMW, WRT takes over responsibility for the IMSA entry of the BMW M Hybrid V8 for the first time. Drivers such as Philipp Eng, Dries Vanthoor and Sheldon van der Linde ensure a top international line-up. Acura remains exclusively loyal to IMSA with the ARX-06 and will once again be entered by Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian. The Aston Martin Valkyrie, which is the only LMH in the field and will be driven by Ross Gunn, Roman De Angelis, Alex Riberas and Marco Sørensen, will play a special role.
Daytona as a special challenge
The Daytona International Speedway combines a high-speed oval and technical infield to create one of the most demanding tracks on the calendar. Long full-throttle sections, heavy traffic and significant temperature differences between day and night put vehicles, tires and drivers to the test over 24 hours.
LMP2: Consistent technology, close battles
In addition to the GTP hypercars, 13 vehicles in the LMP2 class are registered. Only cars with standardized technical regulations are entered, which traditionally ensures a high power density. LMP2 is considered to be tactically demanding, as mistakes in traffic or in the pits often carry more weight than pure speed.
GT3 classes: Brand diversity and prominent drivers
The GT3 field comprises a total of 36 cars, divided between GTD Pro and GTD. Only professional crews compete in the GTD Pro class. The field includes Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-AMG, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Lexus and Chevrolet.
The appearance of Manthey, which will compete in Daytona for the first time in 2026 with the distinctive “Grello”, will attract particular attention. The team has extensive experience from international 24-hour races and will face strong competition in the GTD Pro. BMW relies on well-established IMSA structures, Mercedes-AMG is represented by several powerful customer teams, while Ferrari and Lamborghini rely on proven driver line-ups from international GT racing.
In the GTD class, the Pro-Am concept continues to take center stage. Here, too, there is a wide variety of brands and numerous experienced IMSA teams use Daytona as the highlight of the season. For many up-and-coming drivers, the race also offers the 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 start to the international endurance racing year. In the still young GTP era, which has existed since 2023, the race has a special significance for the further development of the top class.
Conclusion: Daytona 2026 combines a top-class GTP field with strong works participation, a competitive LMP2 grid and an exceptionally diverse GT3 line-up. The IMSA season opener therefore once again promises endurance racing at the highest sporting and technical level.