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Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona 2025: Triumphs, Tragedies, and T-Rexes

Simon Monroy by Simon Monroy
January 27, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona 2025: Triumphs, Tragedies, and T-Rexes

Team Penske drivers Laurens Vanthooer, and Nick Tandy and Felipe Nasr at the wheel, ride the no. 7 Porsche 963 in Victory Lane, Sunday January 26, 2025 after winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway.

The 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona delivered everything endurance racing fans could dream of: breathtaking battles, emotional victories, and enough drama to fill a season. Porsche Penske Motorsport stole the spotlight, clinching victory with the #7 car and securing Porsche’s 20th win in the historic event. But this race was about more than just the winners—it was a kaleidoscope of stories, featuring an angry dinosaur, a portable sauna, and even a flipping bird.


Porsche’s Dominance: The Masters of the Daytona Stage

The Porsche Penske #7 car, piloted by Nick Tandy, Felipe Nasr, and Laurens Vanthoor, demonstrated absolute mastery. Leading over 66% of the race laps, the trio turned the event into a clinic of endurance racing.

  • Nasr’s Brilliance: Felipe Nasr proved once again why he’s considered one of IMSA’s finest. Facing relentless pressure from Acura’s Tom Blomqvist in the closing stages, Nasr held firm and delivered a flawless performance.
  • Tandy’s Historic Feat: By adding Daytona to his collection of outright wins at Le Mans, Spa, and the Nürburgring, Nick Tandy became the first driver to conquer endurance racing’s “Grand Slam.”
  • Vanthoor’s Impact: Laurens Vanthoor seamlessly slotted into the championship-winning team, underscoring Porsche’s commitment to elite driver lineups.

A late charge from the #60 Acura denied Porsche a 1-2 finish, but the victory cemented their place as endurance legends.


Lamborghini’s Nightmare

The much-hyped debut of Lamborghini’s SC63 prototype ended in disaster. With a star-studded lineup including Romain Grosjean, Daniil Kvyat, and Edoardo Mortara, hopes were high—until overheating issues ended their race after just 34 laps. Even Lamborghini’s GT entries couldn’t escape trouble, leaving the marque to lick its wounds after a forgettable Daytona outing.


Kevin Magnussen: The BMW Hero

Kevin Magnussen shone in BMW’s #24 M Hybrid V8, proving his mettle with a series of breathtaking stints. Despite a dislodged front diffuser late in the race, Magnussen’s efforts kept BMW in contention until the closing stages. The Dane’s return to IMSA was met with widespread acclaim, with many tipping him as a future Daytona winner.


The Emotional LMP2 Battle

The LMP2 class embodied the chaos and unpredictability of endurance racing. After a rollercoaster of retirements and penalties, Sebastien Bourdais led the #8 Tower Motorsports Oreca to a hard-fought victory.

The true hero? John Farano, the team’s amateur driver. Despite suffering severe back pain, Farano completed his minimum drive time, ensuring the team’s eligibility for the win. Bourdais praised him as a “trooper,” and the victory marked Tower Motorsports’ first triumph at Daytona.


GT Drama: Ford vs. Corvette

The battle between Ford and Chevrolet in the GTD Pro class was nothing short of epic.

  • Ford’s Triumph: The Mustang GT3, piloted by Christopher Mies, Dennis Olsen, and Frédéric Vervisch, claimed a stunning victory by just 1.9 seconds over their Corvette rivals.
  • Corvette’s Anger: A heated clash between Corvette’s Tommy Milner and BMW’s Augusto Farfus added spice to the race. Farfus’ defensive driving led to contact, damage, and Milner famously flipping him the bird at 180 mph. Milner’s fiery gesture became an instant classic.

From Saunas to Dinosaurs: The Quirks of Daytona

Daytona is as much about personality as performance.

  • Kamui Kobayashi, always the character, bought a portable sauna before the race, claiming it helped him “smell very good.”
  • AO Racing’s T-Rex livery and merchandise continued to captivate fans, though their results were less memorable. Their LMP2 car retired late, while their GT entry battled penalties to finish eighth.

What’s Next?

The 2025 Rolex 24 showcased why it remains the pinnacle of endurance racing. From Porsche’s dominance to the emotional victories in LMP2 and GTD, the race was a rollercoaster from start to finish. With Sebring and Le Mans on the horizon, the stage is set for another thrilling chapter in the world of endurance racing.

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