IMSA Daytona Test 2025
Words and photos by Eddie LePine
Ferrari 296 GTD
It seems like we all just left Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta and Motul Petit Le Mans, but I
am already at Daytona International Speedway for the Official November IMSA Sanctioned test
in the run up to the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, which kicks off
with the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January.
MSR Acura GTP
A total of 38 cars took part in the test, including 11 GTP, 10 LMP2 and 17 GTD/GTD-PRO cars.
The BMW GTP cars had the most changes evident, for along with a new team (WRT), which
took over the operation of the prototypes from RLL for 2026, the cars themselves features
almost 50% new bodywork, with a strikingly different front end.
In addition to BMW, in the GTP ranks Acura, Cadillac and Porsche featured aerodynamic
upgrades, although not as visual as BMW, with most of the other manufacturer’s changes being
limited to undertray improvements. The Cadillac featured aerodynamic changes to the
front of the car, but not nearly as visually dramatic as BMW.
New drivers were on hand as well, including sensation Connor Zilisch, who will be sharing
driving duties on the Whelen Cadillac at Daytona. A number of drivers from IndyCar were on
hand as well, including Alex Palou, Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, Kevin Magnussen,
Romain Grosjean, Scott Dixon, Kyle Kirkwood, Callum Ilott, Juri Vips, Benjamin Pederson and
Will Power. Although not all are confirmed as of yet for the Rolex 24, likely most, if not all of the
drivers present for the test will suit up in January.
Earl Bamber and Connor Zilisch
Whelen Cadillac GTP
The popularity of IMSA sports car racing continues to grow by leaps and bounds, as evidenced
by the record crowds and TV ratings from the 2025 season. It seems likely that 2026 will show
continued growth as IMSA’s new Golden Age of Sports Car Racing features the most competitive
and exciting racing on the planet. No wonder drivers from all over the world want to race in
IMSA competition.
After seven sessions over November 14-16 in good weather at Daytona, the #93 Acura of MSR
sat on top of the time charts, closely followed by the privateer Porsche 963 of JDC Miller
Motorsports. In fact, the top ten cars in GTP were only separated by only .894 of a second,
which promises a very competitive Rolex 24 in less than two month’s time.
In LMP2, TDS Racing set the fastest time, with the rest of the LMP2 field again less than one
second off the fastest time.
Roger Penske
GTD and GTD-PRO were equally competitive, with all 17 cars in both classes only separated by
less than 2 seconds. In GTD and GTD-PRO, new cars made their first appearances, including a
new McLaren from Team RLL and an all-new Lamborghini for Pfaff Motorsports.
Stay tuned. January and the Roar Before the 24 and the Rolex 24 will be here before you know
it.
See you at the races.
Porsche 963 GTP
