It doesn’t take a genius to acknowledge that IMSA has turn into one of many healthiest racing sequence on the planet, particularly after revealing an entry listing for the Daytona 24 that hit the utmost grid dimension for a fifth consecutive yr.
There are 61 entries (11 GTP, 14 LMP2, 15 GTD Professional and 21 GTD) confirmed for the sixty fourth version of the Twice-Round-The-Clock endurance traditional at Daytona Worldwide Speedway, set for Jan. 22-25. Nevertheless, there may be clearly room for that quantity to develop as IMSA President John Doonan revealed there have been “near 90” entry inquiries.
“At one level, based mostly on inquiries for entries, we have been near 90,” Doonan mentioned, through an IMSA media name on Wednesday. “We have been mid-to-upper 80s with groups wanting to come back.”
IMSA President John Doonan publicizes the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech and Michelin Pilot Problem schedules
Photograph by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Photographs
When requested by Motorsport.com how the selections are made with who to approve versus doubtlessly ready one other yr, Doonan highlighted a program’s dedication to the game.
“It begins with full-season entrants, then it begins with those that wish to run the total IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup,” Doonan mentioned. “From there, we take a look at groups which have particular advertising and marketing plan developed, possibly an alignment with the producer. Clearly, we do desire a pathway for brand new groups to come back in.
“One of many beauties, and I am so pleased with our workers for this, is that they’d particular person conferences with each single entrant. Whether or not that is Acura Meyer Shank Racing in a GTP program, or, you already know, 13 Autosport out of Canada, TDS, Tower, you identify it.
“These groups, they sat down with each staff to know their advertising and marketing plans, their driver lineups, the affiliation with the producer, and that is hopefully what makes IMSA totally different is a private relationship with those that wish to come and race with us, however we’ll proceed that, and we’ll proceed to attempt to discover methods to offer new individuals an opportunity, particularly as they arrive up via the IMSA system.”
#93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian Acura ARX-06: Renger van der Zande, Nick Yelloly
Photograph by: Brandon Badraoui / Lumen through Getty Photographs
Doonan additionally talked about there are constant discussions with Daytona Worldwide Speedway President Fank Kelleher on the choices to ship the biggest subject doable for the season-opening occasion. That’s possible a continued speaking level with Genesis confirmed for the GTP class in 2027, and different manufactures looming past that.
“We’re attempting to make it possible for we retain the standard of the present, in addition to make certain we maximize issues,” Doonan mentioned. “I am tremendous delicate to not messing up the standard simply to have amount.
“However if you happen to roll the clock again to 2020, we had 39 entries after which the grid went up into the 40s. The next season, and yearly since, besides the yr that Brad Pitt’s film was shot, we’ve got had 61 and I feel it is a assertion concerning the well being of our sport throughout the board. We wish to maintain that momentum going for so long as we will.”
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