Five Years of Maximum Grids Continue Daytona Momentum for IMSA
By Tony DiZinno
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Maintaining both momentum and maximum grids has been key for IMSA at the Rolex 24 At Daytona in recent years. IMSA President John Doonan reflected on that journey to another full field of 61 cars following this week’s release of the 64th Rolex 24 entry list to kick off the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.
“If you roll the clock back to 2020, we had 39 entries and then the grid went up into the 40s (for 2021),” Doonan said. “The following season (in 2022), and every year since, except the year that Brad Pitt’s (F1) movie was shot (in 2024), we have had 61 and I think it’s a statement about the health of our sport across the board. We want to keep that momentum going for as long as we can.”
Interest remained high as ever for the Rolex 24, with close to 90 entry requests received before the field of 61 was determined.
The 61 didn’t change too much from what was announced at Motul Petit Le Mans in October. The six entries added since the preliminary 55-car grid for the 2026 WeatherTech Championship season come from RLL Team McLaren and the GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG in Grand Touring Daytona Pro (GTD PRO), Inter Europol Competition and Af Corse USA in Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2), and Magnus Racing and Muehlner Motorsports America in GTD.
“We look at full-season teams that are committed to the championship (first),” Doonan said. “We look at teams that are committed to the Michelin Endurance Cup. And then from there, teams that maybe have developed a very special marketing program around their effort for the Rolex 24-only, that type of theme. And I’m just really proud of where we are.
“It’s not an easy process because we had so much interest, but at the same time, and you know, when it comes down to it, we want to put the most competitive field that we can on track. And I think you’re going to see that across the board.”
McLaren is part of the “new” coming to the 2026 Rolex 24 grid after a year out of the WeatherTech Championship. Several new teams too, such as Manthey, build to the strength of the grid. Then there’s a handful of cars that have had evo packages, plus new Michelin tires coming across both the prototype and GT ranks.
What is truly unique to the Rolex 24 is the star power across the grid. With already more than 200 drivers confirmed pending further ones added, it’s looking like the grid will have drivers from more than 30 countries and from a wide range of racing series. The potential for double-digit IndyCar drivers and double-digit past Formula 1 drivers is likely, along with various NASCAR and Supercars stars.
“This race has always been about bringing the best of the best from around the world,” Doonan said. “And I think when you look down the entry list from the top sports car drivers in the world to IndyCar drivers coming over, to Formula 1 talent, ex-Formula 1 talent, potential NASCAR drivers joining us. I think across the board we have a ton to be proud of as a sport and again, grateful for everybody who’s telling the stories.
“One of the things that means so much to me at all of our events, but specifically in the Rolex, is the first horseshoe at Daytona. And if you’ve never been, take a peek at some photos. But in that first horseshoe, the International Horseshoe, we have the flags representing the countries of all the drivers on the grid.
“And for me, that’s a statement about what the race was all about from day one, and what it continues to be, and that’s the best of the best from around the world. And then coming to the U.S., and no matter what language they speak, what country they’re from, this is a place to showcase their talent. And when we go there, we’re speaking in the same passion for endurance sports car racing.”
Always optimistic for more, Doonan noted the desire for growth in the top class with Genesis Magma Racing having confirmed plans to join Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) in 2027. Quite how other manufacturers or cars will be finagled amidst the 61-car pit lane and garage space remains to be seen, but it’s a good problem to have.
“Ultimately, it’s their announcement(s) to make, but we hope that the importance of the North American market on their road car sales and their brand development would be an encouraging part of them coming to join the IMSA season,” he said.
The Roar Before the Rolex 24 test session takes place Jan. 16-18, with on-track action for the 64th Rolex 24 At Daytona starting on Jan. 22 with the green flag on Saturday, Jan. 24.