The 2026 Rolex 24 wrapped up at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, with a familiar victor taking home the overall victory. Porsche Penske Motorsport’s No. 7 Porsche 963 won their third straight Rolex 24 after a heated duel with the No. 31 of Cadillac Whelen.
Closing out the race for Porsche Penske Motorsport was Brazilian racer Felipe Nasr, who has been a part of the driving team for all three of Penske’s victories. He was joined by co-drivers Julien Andlauer of Germany and Laurin Heinrich of France.
While Porsche Penske Motorsport earned the overall victory in Sunday’s Rolex 24, three other race teams were crowned victors in their respective car classes. Inter Europol Competition placed highest in the LMP2 class, Paul Miller Racing triumphed in GTD Pro, and Winward Racing was best in GTD.
Penske and Nasr Make History
Three-time Rolex 24 winner Felipe Nasr. ⓒ Eryn Harris
In capping off Porsche Penske Motorsport’s historic victory, Felipe Nasr joined rare company in Rolex 24 history. He became the third driver to win the event three years in a row, joining Peter Gregg (1973, ’75,-’76 with no race held in ’74) and Helio Castroneves (2021-23).
“Three in a row, it’s just a very special day – I dreamed of that,’’ Nasr said. “We had a battle all the way to the end with the No. 31. […] I was just trying all I could because I know in these final hours everyone is using everything they have inside the car, and the Cadillac was a strong car.”
“Winning the 24 Hours of Daytona three consecutive times with this Porsche Penske Motorsport team is an incredible accomplishment,” added legendary team owner Roger Penske, who now has 21 overall Rolex 24 victories. “That sustained success is only achieved with great team work, focused and determined drivers, a resilient crew and a commitment to winning.”
Quick Wrecks and Long Cautions
ⓒ Eryn Harris
Despite the massive length of the Rolex 24, the race’s first crash occurred in its first turn. A pileup occurred as the LMP2 class entered the Daytona road course section, triggered when TDS Racing’s Toby Lutke lost control in front of traffic. Multiple of the cars were forced to make repairs at the cost of precious time.
This year’s Rolex 24 featured the longest full-course caution period in the history of the race, clocking in at six hours, 33 minutes and 25 seconds. The field slowly paced the long Daytona road course overnight as they waited for fog to subside and visibility to improve.
Sealing the Victory
The No. 31 car of Cadillac Whelen finished second overall. ⓒ Eryn Harris
The move that sealed victory for Porsche Penske Motorsport came with under 22 minutes remaining in the race. A hard-charging Jack Aitken looked to the inside of Felipe Nasr entering the first turn, seemingly with enough momentum to complete the pass. Nasr shut the door, forcing Aitken nearly off the course before surging into the preferred line. Aitken was never again able to find a window to attempt the pass for the lead.
“It was aggressive, but I think I would’ve probably done the same,” a defeated Aitken said after the race. “There was a half of a gap there, so I went for it and the half of a gap turned into none of a gap.”
Daytona Breaks a Record
ⓒ Eryn Harris
In addition to the multiple instances of motorsports history made over the course of the weekend, there was also a new record set by Daytona International Speedway. Speedway President Frank Kelleher announced in the race’s final hours that the 2026 edition of the Rolex 24 had become the most heavily-attended year in event history.
“This year’s 64th running of the Rolex 24 is indeed the highest attended Rolex 24 in the history of the event,” Kelleher said. “And all of you play a big part in that, telling the story and celebrating it. So our heartfelt thank you. Thank you everyone.”
