The highly anticipated Daytona 24 Hours, the largest sports car race in America, is fast approaching, marking the commencement of the 2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship on January 27th and 28th.
Taking place at the renowned Daytona International Speedway in Florida, this 24-hour race has been a fixture since 1962.
The event will feature prominent racers, including Alex Palou, Marcus Ericsson, and the 2009 Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button, who will compete for overall victory in the GTP class.
This category showcases automotive giants such as BMW, Cadillac, and Porsche, as well as participants in the World Endurance Championship’s hypercar division.
The LMP2 subsidiary class will witness exceptional talent, with former F1 star Felipe Massa, along with IndyCar greats Pato O’Ward and Scott McLaughlin. Notably, the LMP3 category, which has been present since 2020, will be absent from this year’s event.
The GTD classes, focusing on GT3-based cars, will feature drivers like Romain Grosjean, Mike Conway, and reigning Super Formula champion Ritomo Miyata, divided into two divisions – all-Pro and Pro-Am.
Preparations are in full swing for the 62nd edition of the Daytona 24, scheduled to commence at 1:40 pm Eastern Time on January 27th and conclude the following day.
The official opening week kicks off earlier with the ‘Roar Before the 24,’ comprising several practice sessions to ensure thorough preparation.
Viewers in the United States can catch the action on the NBC Peacock streaming service starting at 1:30 pm on January 27th, with the NBC network covering the first 50 minutes, the race conclusion, and post-race reactions.
The USA Network will intermittently broadcast 13.5 hours of the race. Qualifying will be available on the Peacock streaming service on January 21st from 1:25 pm to 3:00 pm.
For international viewers, IMSA.tv will provide coverage, starting five minutes before qualifying on January 21st at 1:55 pm ET, and full race coverage from January 27th at 1:35 pm ET.
Race highlights will be accessible on the official IMSA YouTube channel after the Daytona 24 concludes, with replays likely uploaded in four parts during the following week. Keep an eye on various IMSA platforms for updates.
The Daytona International Speedway sports car course layout spans 3.56 miles with 12 corners, featuring the twisty infield section for the first six corners and the complete oval track used in NASCAR’s Daytona 500 event.
Weather predictions for the Daytona 24 Hours indicate a warm climate, starting at 77F with 70% humidity. Temperatures are expected to remain above 64F throughout the race, with a slight chance of rain at 20% on Saturday and 19% on Sunday.
The IMSA schedule at Daytona encompasses various events, including Mazda MX-5 Cup practice, Michelin Challenge practice, IMSA practice for all classes, and the main Daytona 24 Hours race, all starting and concluding at 1:40 p.m. ET on January 27th and 28th, respectively.
