The 2025 racing season kicked off with an exhilarating start at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. In this year's 63rd edition of the prestigious 24-hour race, Porsche Penske Motorsports' #7 Porsche 963 secured a narrow victory over Meyer Shank Racing's Acura ARX-06 by just 1.335 seconds. The event also witnessed a renewed rivalry between American muscle cars, reminiscent of the classic battles from the 1960s and 1970s. With a diverse field of 61 cars representing 31 countries and showcasing impressive credentials, including multiple championship titles, the race covered an astounding 134,877 miles on the challenging 3.56-mile track. Notably, Felipe Nasr became the first driver to win all four major 24-hour endurance races.

This year’s Rolex 24 At Daytona was not only a test of endurance but also a showcase of exceptional talent and strategy. The #7 Porsche Penske Motorsports team, piloted by Felipe Nasr, emerged victorious in a thrilling finish, edging out the #60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura by a mere 1.335 seconds. This marked Porsche’s 20th overall win at the iconic event, solidifying its legacy. Nasr’s achievement was particularly remarkable as he became the first driver to conquer the Daytona, Le Mans, Spa, and Nürburgring 24-hour races. The podium was rounded out by the #6 Penske Porsche driven by Matt Campbell, Mathieu Jaminet, and Kevin Estre.

Meanwhile, the GTD Pro category saw intense competition between Ford and Chevrolet. Dennis Olsen, Frederic Vervisch, and Christopher Mies drove the #65 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Mustang GT3 to victory, narrowly beating the #3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R. Olsen made a decisive move during the final restart with 38 minutes remaining, securing the lead. Despite a valiant effort, Alexander Sims in the #3 Chevrolet could not close the gap in the final moments. The #4 Corvette faced setbacks after an incident involving the #1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3 EVO, which ultimately impacted its chances of winning.

In the GTD class, American manufacturers once again shone brightly. The #13 AWW Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, driven by Orey Fidani, Lars Kern, Matt Bell, and Marvin Kirchhoefer, claimed victory over the #120 Wright Motorsports Porsche. The race highlighted the competitiveness of the new IMSA Balance of Power (BoP) process, which ensured closely matched performances across the field. Sebastien Bourdais, a four-time IndyCar champion, added another feather to his cap by winning the LMP2 class in the #8 Tower Motorsports Oreca 07 Gibson, finishing eighth overall.

Beyond the podium, the Gradient Racing Mustang GT3, engineered by Andrew Pinkerton, demonstrated impressive speed early in the race but was forced to retire due to a clutch failure. Despite the disappointment, Pinkerton noted that the experience provided valuable insights into the new car and the BoP process. Looking ahead, teams are already setting their sights on the next challenge, eager for another opportunity to compete against the best in the world. The 2025 Rolex 24 At Daytona will be remembered as a testament to perseverance, skill, and the enduring spirit of motorsport.