The stage is set for the ultimate test of endurance as the 64th running of the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA kicks off this Saturday, January 24th. For a full day and night, 60 cars across four categories will battle the famed high banks of Daytona International Speedway, where victory is measured in seconds over a relentless 24-hour grind.
This year’s edition carries a historic backdrop, coinciding with Rolex’s 100th anniversary of the Oyster watch. The brand’s deep ties to Daytona’s legacy began in 1933 when Sir Malcolm Campbell wore an Oyster while setting a land speed record on the nearby beach—a pioneering moment that forged an unbreakable link to racing.
On track, the spotlight shines on the eleven strong GTP class, featuring top-tier prototypes from five manufacturers. All eyes will be on Porsche Penske Motorsport, which aims for a historic third consecutive overall win after securing its 20th victory last year. The competition promises to be fierce, with every pit stop, driver change, and strategic decision magnified under the pressure of the race’s iconic countdown clock.
F1 World Champion and Rolex Testimonee Jenson Button returns to Daytona—this time as a spectator after a competitive third-place finish in 2024. “You are pushing the limit the entire time,” Button notes, highlighting the race’s intense speeds, steep banking, and non-stop overtaking action.
The race remains a pinnacle achievement for any driver. Legends Hurley Haywood and Scott Pruett, each with five overall wins, stand as the event’s most successful drivers. Reflecting on the race’s unique challenge, Pruett emphasized, “The difference between winning and losing is often just seconds… and at the end of it, it all about Rolex timing.
Since becoming the official timepiece in 1992 and lending its name to the event, Rolex’s partnership with Daytona has become synonymous with endurance racing. In a celebrated tradition, the winning drivers of the 2026 race will receive specially engraved Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona watches—a tribute to their skill in conquering one of motorsport’s greatest tests of time.
