As has been the case for many years, GTD is the biggest class in this year’s Rolex 24 At Daytona. 21 cars have entered in IMSA’s nominally Pro/Am GT category for the chance to win their class.
Like the GTD PRO class, the newest revisions of the Ferrari 296 GT3, Ford Mustang GT3, and Porsche 911 GT3 R will be competing for the first time at Daytona in GTD.
The manufacturers and most of the teams will now have a year of experience working with the mandated magneto-elastic torque sensors in their cars; and Michelin will introduce a new version of its Pilot Sport ProGT tyre to both IMSA GT classes.
It’s a class filled with colourful cars and teams, one that served up an incredible race last year with an exhilarating run to the finish. We await more of the same this year.
Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO
#19: Van der Steur Racing
Rory van der Steur / Valentin Hasse Clot / Sébastien Baud / Carl Bennett
#27: Heart of Racing Team
Eduardo Barrichello / Tom Gamble / Zacharie Robichon / Mattia Drudi
#44: Magnus Racing
John Potter / Spencer Pumpelly / Nicki Thiim / Madison Snow
You’ll only find the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 (EVO) in the GTD class, with three entries for the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Heart of Racing Team won GTD three years ago with the previous-spec Vantage GT3, and came within fingertips of a second victory last year, only to finish third after being overtaken for the lead with 16 minutes to go. That’s something that one of Aston Martin’s current top drivers in GT racing, Mattia Drudi, has had 12 months to ruminate on.
Drudi returns to Daytona as part of Heart of Racing’s 2026 GTD entry, joined by WEC Valkyrie driver Tom Gamble and 2022 GTD class winner Zacharie Robichon. Eduardo Barrichello, son of Rubens, makes his Rolex 24 debut following a stellar first season in WEC, where he took two LMGT3 pole positions. On paper, this is one of the strongest crews in the entire GTD field.
When it comes to experience, though, Magnus Racing tops the table. The two-time class winning-outfit from Salt Lake City is back for another crack at the Rolex 24, and unlike last year’s race, you won’t find any hints of an imminent hiatus to follow, now that owner/driver John Potter is back for select IMSA endurance events such as Daytona. Quietly, he and the team feel quite good about their chances of winning again.
With former Paul Miller Racing driver Madison Snow joining his home team, with Aston Martin GT stalwart Nicki Thiim on board for another Rolex 24 appearance, and the experience and longevity of Spencer Pumpelly – now the most experienced driver in the field making his 25th Daytona 24 Hours start – the ingredients are there to take a surprise victory.
Finally, van der Steur Racing is back for its second Rolex 24 with the #19 Vantage, hoping to build on a modest first season.
Valentin Hasse-Clot returns as the quick man alongside Rory van der Steur, with Sébastien Baud and Carl Bennett given opportunities to thrive under the radar in their first Rolex 24. Baud brings experience from WEC’s LMGT3 category, as does Bennett, the former Isotta Fraschini driver who’s found a bit more success in GT cars.
The cars looked good in the Roar, Magnus only went and set the quickest time of the three-day test. It could be a strong Rolex 24 for the Vantage trio.
BMW M4 GT3 EVO
#96: Turner Motorsport
Patrick Gallagher / Robby Foley / Francis Selldorff / Jens Klingmann
As is the case in GTD PRO, BMW M has just one representative team in GTD. But if it’s only one team, Turner Motorsport is undoubtedly the best choice to spearhead the M4 GT3 EVO’s pursuit of a Rolex 24 win.
Will Turner’s squad is the longest-tenured BMW customer racing team of all-time, and boasts an envious record: 12 championships across North America, and over 100 victories…but a set of Rolex 24 winner’s watches have gone missing from the trophy case since the first yellow and blue Turner BMW entered the race in 2010.
Still, each year brings renewed hope that this will be the year that Turner Motorsport wins the biggest race of the IMSA season. The team and car are certainly up to the task every weekend, as are the drivers.
Robby Foley is entrenched in his role as Turner’s ace driver, once again teamed with Patrick Gallagher for the full season, and fellow BMW M factory driver Jens Klingmann making his customary Daytona appearance.
Francis Selldorff is new to the Rolex 24 and GTD, but has been honing his skills with Turner in the Michelin Pilot Challenge and VP Racing SportsCar Challenge series. With Gallagher and Foley as his mentors, he’s eager to make a strong first impression in the #96 M4 GT3 EVO.
Though this is the antagonist car in F1: The Movie’s Daytona scene, the real-world Turner Motorsport is a respected fan-favourite in the IMSA paddock, and a win here would be a very popular achievement.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R
#13: 13 Autosport
Orey Fidani / Matt Bell / Lars Kern / Ben Green
#36: DXDT Racing
Mason Filippi / Charlie Eastwood / Salih Yoluç / Scott McLaughlin
#81: DragonSpeed
Henrik Hedman / Giacomo Altoè / Casper Stevenson / Matteo Cairoli
2025 marked the true beginning of a new era for the Chevrolet Corvette in IMSA competition. For many years, Corvette revolved around the factory team. But times have changed in this new era of GT3 racing.
Last year’s GTD victory for AWA truly began this new era of thriving Corvette privateers, after a difficult first year in IMSA. The team that won last year’s Rolex 24 in class is back for another attempt.
But after Orey Fidani purchased the team, it has a new identity – 13 Autosport. Despite the name change, this is still the same team all around with the racing operations still handled by Andrew Wojteczko.
And it’s still mostly the same core trio of drivers leading the way, Fidani, Matthew T. Bell, and Lars Kern all return to action. Bell was the hero in last year’s race when all was said and done, Kers is a solid Silver, and Fidani may not be the quickest Bronze, but he is a steady hand, motivated to reach the top again. Replacing Marvin Kirchhöfer is Ben Green, who’s making his first Rolex 24 start – he contributed to the Corvette’s success in its first year in Asia.
DXDT Racing is in its second IMSA season, fielding the blue and green #36 Corvette. Scott McLaughlin is the superstar guest driver and he is thoroughly enjoying his opportunities to drive the Z06 GT3.R, and to drive at Daytona.
McLaughlin is joined here by the evergreen pairing of Turkish driver Salih Yoluç and Corvette Racing factory driver Charlie Eastwood of Ireland. Mason Filippi rounds out the group for Daytona, beginning his first full season of GT racing after years of success in TCRs.
And new to the Corvette contingent is DragonSpeed, a team that has enjoyed multiple class victories at Daytona during its LMP2 days. Last year, Elton Julian’s team forged a successful partnership with Risi Competizione, running a Ferrari in GTD PRO and pushing Corvette Racing all the way to the bitter end.
The Evel Knievel-inspired livery looks striking on the #81 Corvette, a move that’s been in the works for some time behind the scenes. Henrik Hedman will be one of Fidani’s main challengers for the Akin Award as the top Bronze driver in GTD. His co-drivers are all rapid – Giacomo Altoè demonstrated as much several times with DragonSpeed in the Ferrari. Likewise, Casper Stevenson comes in after a great season with Heart of Racing, and Matteo Cairoli brings GT experience with multiple marques.
All three teams proudly continue the Corvette Racing legacy in a new way. Any one of them can make it back-to-back in GTD.
Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo
#21: AF Corse USA
Simon Mann / Lilou Wadoux / Antonio Fuoco / Tomasso Mosca
#023: Triarsi Competizione
Onofrio Triarsi / Kenton Koch / Robert Megennis / Ye Yifei
#34: Conquest Racing
Manny Franco / Albert Costa / Lorenzo Patrese / Thierry Vermeulen
#70: Inception Racing
Brendan Iribe / Frederik Schandorff / Ollie Millroy / David Fumanelli
Four Ferrari 296 GT3 Evos represent the famous “Prancing Horse” in GTD at Daytona. Ferrari spent its resources refining the 296 GT3 Evo to perform better in close combat – an essential component if any of the four cars are to have a chance of contending for the class win.
All four Ferrari line-ups here are strong, including that of Conquest Racing, Eric Bachelart’s team has made big strides since its return to competition at this level, and so has Manny Franco, who’s living his dream and rapidly gaining pace.
The return of Albert Costa to the team after a year with DragonSpeed in GTD PRO is a huge acquisition, with Costa in top form. Lorenzo Patrese, son of former F1 iron man Ricardo, is capable of delivering the goods – and so too is Thierry Vermeulen, whose star really began to rise as a member of Verstappen Racing over in Europe last year.
Also running full-time is the buzzin’ gold and black Inception Racing Ferrari. Brendon Iribe, Frederik Schandorff, and Ollie Millroy are the evergreen trio in the #70 car. They’ve finally won in IMSA – and are hungry for more.
The #70 crew was quick at Daytona last year, and bring back David Fumanelli to round out the line-up. For Iribe, this is the first chapter in a season-long fight to get back to Le Mans, as well.
It just wouldn’t be a sports car race without an AF Corse Ferrari in some shape – coming off a Michelin Endurance Cup-winning season punctuated by a Petit Le Mans win. The #21 car has a capable line-up of four drivers, featuring one of Ferrari’s new official drivers, Tommaso Mosca.
And of course some familiar commodities: Simon Mann is only getting better with time and experience, Lilou Wadoux has been excellent as an official Ferrari driver in the GT ranks, and Antonio Fuoco, a Le Mans overall winner, will be a more-than-adequate replacement for Alessandro Pier Guidi in this car.
Triarsi Competizione returns with its #023 Ferrari, featuring reigning Le Mans 24 Hours champion Ye Yifei, making his Rolex 24 debut with a relatively new team that’s only getting better, quickly.
Onofrio Triarsi and Kenton Koch were a winning combination from the middle of 2025 onward, with Koch in a starring role as GTD championship runner-up. They may not be full-time as it stands, but Triarsi and crew return carrying a wave of momentum, while Robert Megennis joins them for the five-race Endurance campaign.
Ford Mustang GT3 Evo
#16: Myers Riley Motorsports
Sheena Monk / Felipe Fraga / Jenson Altzman / Romain Grosjean
#66: Gradient Racing
Jake Walker / Till Bechtolsheimer / Corey Lewis / Joey Hand
The evolution of the Ford Mustang GT3 is here at Daytona promising to be a more balanced car than ever before, and the early returns from the three days of testing at the Roar Before The 24 look very, very promising for the pair of privateer teams.
Riley Motorsports has hit reset after the end of the Lamborghini SC63 and Gar Robinson-led programmes, rekindling a partnership with Ford. Ross Myers of 3 Dog Garage brings the backing to Myers Riley Motorsports, looking to make his own legacy after making a name restoring vintage automobiles.
And their crew is strong – Riley mainstay Felipe Fraga brings heaps of pace, as does international star Romain Grosjean, coming over from the Lamborghini programme. They were both rapid, near the top of the testing leaderboards.
Sheena Monk returns as one of two women in this year’s Rolex 24 field, hoping to continue her development and contend for the Akin Award – and Jenson Altzman, a Ford Racing development driver, is ready for this moment after forging his craft in the Mustang GT4.
Meanwhile, Gradient Racing begins its second year with Ford. Gradient’s Rolex 24 effort will be spearheaded by former Turner Motorsport driver Jake Walker, who’s still young but has the right attitude to succeed as he goes full-time in GTD.
2011 overall winner at Daytona, Joey Hand, continues to bring his years of experience to the second-year partnership, sharing Endurance Cup duties with Walker and Lola owner Till Bechtolsheimer, another familiar face in the team. And keep an eye on Corey Lewis, who’s back in the WeatherTech GTD ranks after a year away, but can get the pace out of this car.
If the new Mustang GT3 Evo package delivers the improvements that have been promised, either of these ponies could end sprinting away to a victory.
Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2
#45: Wayne Taylor Racing
Danny Formal / Trent Hindman / Graham Doyle / Marcus Ericsson
Daytona will be the last race for Pfaff Motorsports’ Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2, but in GTD, Wayne Taylor Racing is expected to run its Huracán for a bit longer, probably for the entire 2026 IMSA season.
WTR’s Lamborghini was a strong contender for victory last year at Daytona before a suspension failure with an hour to go. That set the tone for a season littered with misfortune (including a scary fire at VIR), with the lone exception being a strategic victory at Mosport.
Indianapolis 500 winner and five-year Formula One veteran Marcus Ericsson is the guest star of this #45 crew at Daytona. He’d never raced a GT3 car until the winter, having previously run this race in the top prototype category two times.
But he should learn quickly in the company of the regular WTR trio of Danny Formal, Trent Hindman, and Graham Doyle. They’re not glamorous names to audiences outside of America, but they’re all young and very capable drivers: Hindman is a past IMSA GTD champion who finished second in class in 2018, while Formal and Doyle are also reigning champions in Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America.
The Huracán GT3 took the GTD class at Daytona three years in a row from 2018 to 2020, and this is likely the last chance it’ll have to build on that success. But it’s a very good chance, if a little luck goes WTR’s way for a change.
Lexus RC F GT3
#12: Vasser Sullivan Racing
Aaron Telitz / Benjamin Pedersen / Frankie Montecalvo / Esteban Masson
This year will be the tenth and likely final GTD season for the Lexus RC F GT3, which made its American debut here in 2017. Vasser Sullivan Racing’s two-class attack is supplemented by the #12 Lexus, boasting a refreshed driver line-up.
The closest that Vasser Sullivan has come to winning this race in any class was in the team’s 2019 debut, where the #12 car finished second in GTD, featuring Aaron Telitz and Frankie Montecalvo as part of its line-up.
The versatile and underrated Telitz is back in the #12 car for the full season, after spending 2025 alongside Ben Barnicoat in GTD PRO. Montecalvo continues in his GTD Endurance Cup role with Vasser Sullivan.
Benjamin Pedersen, who was third in LMP2 on his IMSA debut, is now the new full-time teammate to Telitz after swapping places and classes with Parker Thompson in the off-season. And if you’ve not yet seen fast young Frenchman Esteban Masson in action, get excited: The reigning ELMS LMP2 champion has driven the RC F GT3 before, so it shouldn’t take long for him to be back up to speed in his IMSA debut.
Despite the RC F GT3’s age, it is still a quick and capable car, especially with a strong team like VSR and a strong driving crew like this one. A win at Daytona wouldn’t be the final chapter of the RC F’s American story, but it would be a great milestone in its final season.
Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO
#57: Winward Racing
Russell Ward / Philip Ellis / Indy Dontje / Lucas Auer
#80: Lone Star Racing
Scott Andrews / Lin Hodenius / James Roe / Ralf Aron
Mercedes-AMG has two GTD entries, but Winward Racing headlines as the team goes for three straight series championships, and two Rolex 24 victories in three years.
Winward Racing winning the “36 Hours of Florida” by stacking Daytona and Sebring class wins in 2024 was impressive, no doubt, setting the tempo for Russell Ward and crew to become the dominant force in the class. But maybe even more impressive was how the #57 Mercedes-AMG regained seven laps (with sufficient help from full course yellows) after a broken throttle assembly put it in the garage, and very nearly came back to win it all.
It would be foolish even with some of the new combinations of teams, drivers, and cars, to bet against Winward Racing in its current state. At his best, Ward is so fast and consistent, it’s a wonder why he doesn’t have a Mercedes-AMG Performance deal like his co-drivers Philip Ellis and Lucas Auer.
Those two are among the finest Silver Arrows drivers around at the peak of their abilities, and Indy Dontje has been more than serviceable as part of Winward’s victories in 2021 and 2024, with Ward and Ellis alongside.
That’s no disservice to Lone Star Racing which has a young, intriguing line-up of its own. Lin Hodenius got a taste of IMSA racing last year, teaming up with LSR. Scott Andrews is the experienced hand here, his experience also includes a Rolex 24 class win.
With them are Ralf Aron, the former single-seater prospect turned Mercedes-AMG factory star, and Indy NXT contender James Roe, who moves from LMP2 to GTD and has been finding himself enjoying his new environment. They’ve got an underrated crew that can challenge for a good result here.
The AMG GT3 EVO is by now a legendary car with a proven track record, and adjusting to life with magnetoelastic torque sensors won’t be the pain that it was last year. We don’t know how much longer this car has as Mercedes’ flagship GT racer, so now’s as good a time as any for either Winward or LSR to build on that success.
Porsche 911 GT3 R (992.2)
#28: RS1
Eric Zitza / Dillon Machavern / Jan Heylen / Sven Müller
#120: Wright Motorsports
Adam Adelson / Elliott Skeer / Tom Sargent / Callum Ilott
#123: Mühlner Motorsports America
Peter Ludwig / Ryan Yardley / Dave Musial Snr / Dave Musial II
#912: Manthey 1st Phorm
Ryan Hardwick / Riccardo Pera / Richard Lietz / Morris Schuring
Four new 992.2-spec Porsche 911 GT3 Rs represent the marque in GTD, hoping for a better first outing here than the original 992 GT3 R endured at Daytona three years ago.
Two cars out of this quartet immediately leap off the page as favourites to win the class. Wright Motorsports won this race in 2022 and came second in last year’s frenetic finish – a strong contender for most of the race. Since then, Adam Adelson has purchased the team from its namesake John Wright, making him one of the youngest owner/drivers in the series.
Daytona will be the start of a busy 2026 campaign for talented Englishman Callum Ilott, who’s running full-time in IMSA and IndyCar this year. Ilott has worked with Wright, Adelson, and lightning-quick co-driver Elliott Skeer before in GT World Challenge America. He is a blockbuster addition to a strong team, further supplemented by young Australian talent Tom Sargent.
The other is the 1st Phorm-sponsored #912 Manthey Porsche which boasts all three members of the crew that won last year’s WEC LMGT3 championship and dominated its class at Le Mans: Three-time Daytona class winner and bona fide Porsche legend Richard Lietz, 2022 GTD winner Ryan Hardwick – now one of the best Bronze drivers in the world – and perennial ‘Super Silver’ Riccardo Pera.
Adding Porsche factory driver Morris Schuring, who’s also won Le Mans with Manthey, only makes this team even more of a threat as it kicks off its first Michelin Endurance Cup season.
Flying under the radar are the entries from GTD newcomer RS1, and the IMSA return of Mühlner Motorsports America.
RS1 (Rennsport One) won last year’s Michelin Pilot Challenge GS title with Jan Heylen as its captain, and also has a few years of experience running GT3 cars in SRO America – but nothing in endurance, until now. 2022 GTD winner Heylen and Porsche factory driver Sven Müller are the headlining acts here, Müller coming off a GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup title.
With them are Eric Zitza, whose father Ron won the AGT class in the 2000 Rolex 24, and Dillon Machavern, also a Pilot Challenge title-winner with RS1, but better known for his exploits with Turner Motorsport. This is a solid dark horse pick for a podium, if Müller and Heylen find themselves near the front at the end.
Finally, there’s Mühlner Motorsport, with four drivers making their Rolex 24 debuts: Reigning Porsche Carrera Cup North America champion Ryan Yardley will be one to watch, leading the way for the father-son duo of Dave Musial Snr and Dave Musial II, and Bronze driver Peter Ludwig. Expectations are modest here, but the squad is a welcome return to IMSA.
Images © IMSA
