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Cadillac dominates Daytona IMSA testing: fierce battles heat up ahead of Rolex 24 showdown

Publisher by Publisher
January 18, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Cadillac dominates Daytona IMSA testing: fierce battles heat up ahead of Rolex 24 showdown

Cadillac Claims the Spotlight in High-Stakes IMSA Testing at Daytona!

The roar of engines filled the air at Daytona International Speedway as Cadillac surged ahead in a thrilling display during the second day of the Roar Before the Rolex 24 testing. The stakes are high as teams prepare for the iconic 64th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona next weekend, and Cadillac’s performance has set the stage for an electrifying competition!

Filipe Albuquerque and the No. 10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R stole the show Saturday afternoon, clocking a blistering lap time of 1 minute, 36.731 seconds (132.491 mph) during the fourth of seven test sessions. Despite his impressive run, Albuquerque fell just short of the day’s earlier fastest lap, a remarkable 1:36.549 (132.741 mph) by Laurens Vanthoor in the No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963.

“It feels good, and we were P1 in that session,” Albuquerque exclaimed. “We’re continuing to evolve through the setup and the run plan that we have. It shows that we are doing the right things with the car but still have a lot to learn.” He emphasized the importance of understanding the car’s balance as temperatures soared, stating, “The car always comes alive in the night and it’s a dream car to drive.”

However, while Cadillac may have momentarily seized the spotlight, Porsche continues to dominate the overall times, holding the top three positions after the first four sessions. Felipe Nasr, piloting the two-time defending champion No. 7 Penske Porsche, clocked the fastest lap of the weekend so far at 1:36.327 during Friday’s Session 1, proving that the battle for supremacy is far from over.

Adding to the intrigue, the No. 85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche, driven by Nico Pino, Tijmen van der Helm, and Kaylen Frederick, has consistently impressed, positioning itself as a formidable contender right between the factory Porsche teams on the combined session sheet. With Porsche’s legacy of clinching the overall victory a staggering 20 times since 1968, the pressure is on for all competitors.

Acura and BMW are hot on Cadillac’s heels, vying fiercely for supremacy, while Acura Meyer Shank Racing’s No. 93 Acura ARX-06 faced a challenging couple of days in testing. Meanwhile, the No. 23 Aston Martin Valkyrie encountered technical difficulties that forced an engine change, sidelining them during the afternoon session.

In the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) class, Ben Hanley made waves by being the only driver to break the 1:40 barrier, finishing strong at 1:39.922 (128.260 mph) in the No. 2 United Autosports USA ORECA LMP2 07. In stark contrast, the times for this class were generally over a second slower than the previous day, underlining the competitive pressure.

The Grand Touring classes also showcased their own drama. Myers Riley Motorsports’ No. 16 Ford Mustang GT3 dominated both daytime sessions, leading the charge among 21 Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) competitors and 15 entries in the Grand Touring Daytona Pro (GTD PRO) field. Felipe Fraga set the day’s fastest GTD benchmark at 1:47.453 (119.270 mph), while the two-time IndyCar Series champion Will Power showcased his skill in the No. 75 75 Express Mercedes-AMG GT3, posting the fastest GTD PRO time at 1:47.612 (119.094 mph).

However, not all competitors had a smooth ride. The No. 36 DXDT Racing Corvette Z06 GT3.R struggled with a clutch issue, while AO Racing’s No. 77 “Rexy” Porsche 911 GT3 R was sidelined for an engine change, highlighting the relentless challenges teams face in their quest for victory.

As the excitement builds for the Rolex 24, the tension among the top-tier teams intensifies. With Cadillac making a bold statement and Porsche maintaining its dominance, fans are in for a thrilling showdown when the green flag drops. This is just the beginning of what promises to be an unforgettable race!

Tags: 2025-imsa-gtp-championship2025-rolex-24-at-daytonaacura-meyer-shank-racingFelipe NasrFilipe AlbuquerqueLaurens VanthoorPorsche Penske Motorsport
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