When Is the 24 Hour Rolex at Daytona? The Ultimate Guide to the Rolex 24

The Rolex 24 at Daytona is one of the most prestigious endurance races in the world, marking the official start of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. The short answer to "When is the 24 Hour Rolex at Daytona?" is this: It takes place on the **penultimate weekend of January** every year, with the main 24-hour race running from **Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon**. In 2025, for example, the race will be held on **January 25-26**. However, the full experience—from testing to the iconic checkered flag—spans nearly two weeks. This pillar page covers everything from the exact dates and history to how to watch and participate.
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## Topic Map: Everything You Need to Know
1. **Exact Dates for the Rolex 24 at Daytona (2024, 2025, and Beyond)**
2. **The Full Schedule: The "Roar Before," Qualifying, and Race Weekend**
3. **History of the Race: Why It’s Called the "Rolex 24"**
4. **The Four Classes of Cars in the Race**
5. **How to Watch the Rolex 24 on TV and Stream Online**
6. **Attending the Race: Tickets, Camping, and Logistics**
7. **Key Drivers and Teams to Watch**
8. **Weather and How It Affects the Race**
9. **FAQs: Common Questions About the Race Timing**
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## 1. Exact Dates for the Rolex 24 at Daytona
The Rolex 24 at Daytona is held annually on the final full weekend of January. Here are the confirmed and projected dates:
– **2025:** January 25–26 (Green flag at 1:40 PM ET on Saturday)
– **2024:** January 27–28
– **2023:** January 28–29
– **2026 (Projected):** January 24–25
**Internal Link Opportunity:** *For a deeper dive into the 2025 field, see our post: [2025 Rolex 24 Driver Lineup Guide].*
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## 2. The Full Schedule: More Than Just 24 Hours
The main event is only the climax of a multi-day festival of speed:
– **The Roar Before the Rolex 24 (Early January):** A mandatory two-day test session held two weeks before the race. All teams and drivers participate in practice and qualifying for pit stall selection.
– **Motorsports Marketplace (Race Week):** Free public access to the infield with driver autograph sessions, interactive exhibits, and car displays.
– **Qualifying (Thursday of Race Week):** Determines the starting grid. Note that multiple drivers must qualify, and the grid is split by class.
– **Race Day (Saturday):** The green flag drops in the early afternoon (1:40 PM ET). The race runs through the night and ends at 1:40 PM ET on Sunday.
– **Post-Race Celebration (Sunday):** The podium ceremony on the start/finish line, featuring the iconic Rolex watch presentation.
**Internal Link Opportunity:** *Planning your weekend? Read [How to Survive the Night at the Rolex 24: A Fan’s Guide].*
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## 3. History of the Race: Why It’s Called the "Rolex 24"
The race began in 1962 as the Daytona Continental, a 3-hour race for sports cars. It expanded to 24 hours in 1966. Rolex became the title sponsor in 1992, offering the winner a specially engraved Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona watch. The link is historical: in the 1960s, Rolex created the Cosmograph Daytona chronograph specifically for racing drivers timing endurance events.
**Key Historical Milestones:**
– **1966:** First 24-hour race (won by Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby in a Ford GT40 Mk II).
– **1992:** Rolex becomes official timepiece and title sponsor.
– **2024:** The first year the new LMDh (Le Mans Daytona h) prototypes dominated, bringing back factory teams like Porsche, Acura, BMW, and Cadillac.
**Internal Link Opportunity:** *See the complete list of winners in our post: [Every Rolex 24 at Daytona Champion].*
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## 4. The Four Classes of Cars
Understanding the classes is key to knowing who is "winning" at any given moment. The race features four distinct categories running simultaneously:
– **GTP (Grand Touring Prototype):** The top class. Hybrid-powered LMDh cars (e.g., Porsche 963, Cadillac V-Series.R, Acura ARX-06, BMW M Hybrid V8). These are the fastest cars on track, exceeding 190 mph.
– **LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2):** Second-tier prototypes. Spec-chassis cars (Oreca 07) with Gibson V8 engines. Usually driven by a mix of pros and "silver" (amateur) drivers.
– **GTD Pro (GT Daytona Pro):** Professional-only GT cars (e.g., Ferrari 296 GT3, Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2, Porsche 911 GT3 R). These are the cars you see in showrooms but heavily modified.
– **GTD (GT Daytona):** The same GT3 cars as GTD Pro but with an "amateur" (bronze) driver requirement. Tactical strategy and pit stops are critical here.
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## 5. How to Watch the Rolex 24
Because the race runs for 24 hours, coverage is split across multiple platforms:
– **TV (United States):**
– **NBC** and **USA Network** carry the first 2 hours and final 1.5 hours of the race.
– **Streaming (US):** **Peacock** streams the full 24-hour race without commercial breaks, including in-car cameras and onboard audio.
– **International:** **IMSA.tv** on YouTube provides free live coverage in many markets (excluding the US).
– **Radio:** SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90) provides live audio commentary.
– **Live Timing:** The official IMSA app offers real-time lap times, class positions, and pit stop data.
**Internal Link Opportunity:** *For a complete streaming setup, check: [Best VPNs for Watching IMSA Races Abroad].*
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## 6. Attending the Race: Tickets, Camping, and Logistics
If you plan to be at Daytona International Speedway in person:
– **Tickets:** General admission grants access to the grandstands, infield, and fan zones. Infield parking and camping (RV or tent) require separate passes.
– **Best Viewing Spots:**
– **Turn 1 Grandstand:** See the start/finish line and the high-speed banking.
– **Infield Horseshoe:** A tight, technical section where you can see braking and overtakes up close.
– **The "Kink" on the Backstretch:** High-speed action at 200+ mph.
– **What to Bring:** Ear protection (it’s loud for 24 hours), a folding chair, sunscreen, rain gear, and a portable charger. Daytona is known for unpredictable January weather (from 80°F sunny to 40°F rainy).
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## 7. Key Drivers and Teams to Watch
The Rolex 24 attracts drivers from Formula 1, IndyCar, NASCAR, and World Endurance Championship. Watch for:
– **GTP Giants:** Porsche Penske Motorsport, Cadillac Racing (with drivers like Chip Ganassi's veterans), and BMW M Team RLL.
– **NASCAR Crossovers:** Kyle Larson, Jimmie Johnson, and Shane van Gisbergen often run the race in GT cars or prototypes.
– **International Stars:** Former F1 drivers like Felipe Nasr (Porsche) and Juan Pablo Montoya (Acura) are frequent competitors.
**Internal Link Opportunity:** *See our full driver-by-driver analysis: [2025 Rolex 24: Top 10 Drivers to Watch].*
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## 8. Weather and How It Affects the Race
Daytona Beach in late January is a weather wildcard. Common conditions include:
– **Rain:** Especially at night. This can cause long caution periods under safety car or red flags if lightning is nearby.
– **Temperature Swings:** Daytime temps can be in the 70s°F, dropping to the 40s°F at night. This affects tire grip and engine cooling.
– **Wind:** Strong winds off the Atlantic can upset high-speed prototypes on the banking.
Teams must prepare for all conditions; a strategy mistake in choosing slick vs. wet tires can lose hours.
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## 9. FAQs: Common Questions About the Race Timing
**Q: What time does the Rolex 24 start?**
A: The green flag waves at 1:40 PM Eastern Time on Saturday.
**Q: Does the race run at night?**
A: Yes, the race runs continuously through the night (darkness falls around 5:30 PM ET Saturday and returns to daylight around 6:30 AM ET Sunday).
**Q: When do they give out the Rolex watches?**
A: The winning drivers in the GTP