Before you Watch | Rolex 24 at Daytona
Before you Watch the the Rolex 24 at Daytona, there's a few things that you should know about the sport, the drivers, the teams, and what you should expect as a fan.
The race is long. It’s called the Rolex 24 for a reason. It’s 24 hours. Be ready to sit and watch the beginning of the race, and then have it in the background throughout the day and night as the cars battle on track. The end seems like it’s never near, but frankly, once you start watching it, I don’t think you’ll want the end to be near.
There is more than one driver per car. It sounds crazy but the car number 6 or 01 will have different drivers in it throughout a race. Yes, these drivers can also be from other racing series. Scott Dixon is one of a few drivers this year competing in the Rolex 24. Dixon normally races in the IndyCar Series. You might find a favorite driver while you're watching, but just know, you may not always see them on track.
IMSA is mainly a manufacturer race. While yes, there are teams and drivers to cheer for, it’s the manufacturers that are putting up the show. There might be more than one car for each manufacturer, in a select class also. The most prestigious award is granted to teams who represent different manufacturers.
Anything can happen. Crashes, immediate car failures, tire issues, rain, etc. It all happens in this race. Curveballs from every direction hit each driver throughout the race repetitively. It’s not something anyone can control. It’s a 24 hour race for a reason. To endure the elements. Survive the chaos. Get through the hoops that surround you in every scenario. Just because it’s a long race, doesn’t mean when you turn your head, nothing is going to change when you look back.
The Rolex 24 is the most anticipated race in the IMSA Season. It’s the Holy Grail of IMSA trophies. A watch so powerful, teams fight for 24 hours at speeds of 170+ mph each lap for a watch. Entertainment value skyrockets when you learn it’s all for a watch.
If you’re new to IMSA, it’s complicated. The way the race works, some of the rules for the cars, the different classes all add up to a very large motorsports association. This can turn a few fans away from the sport. We are working on a few guides to the IMSA Sportscar Championship to help fans like ourselves and you to understand this motorsport a little bit better. Explaining the different classes (GTP, LMP2, GTD Pro, and GTD) and also how the Championship works. Find them all here.
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