-In partnership with Rolex-
“It’s such a ballet of finesse…”
That’s how legendary racer and Rolex Testimonee Scott Pruett described The Rolex 24 At Daytona within the Highway to Victory, a documentary produced by Motorsport Studios, in partnership with Rolex.
And there’s no one higher at understanding what it takes to beat the twice-around-the-clock endurance racing basic than Pruett. Though he and the legendary Hurley Haywood are locked collectively as the one drivers to seize 5 total victories, Pruett’s 5 extra class wins deliver his complete to a report 10 triumphs within the crown jewel occasion of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
“Even after coming right here 40-plus years, I nonetheless get goosebumps,” stated Pruett, 65. “Whenever you have a look at The Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona, it’s a lot bigger than life. Each race I’ve performed right here, there’s by no means been an ideal race.
“What measures you as a driver, what measures you as a group, after this grueling 24 hours of no matter is thrown at you, is having the ability to keep calm in that chaos of adversity. We’d come into this race and say, ‘Hey, we will not be the quickest, however we’re going to benefit from different group’s errors.’”
What it takes to win
Contact within the battle for the GTD lead late within the 2026 Rolex 24
Picture by: Artwork Fleischmann
There are many alternatives to slide up and make a improper transfer across the 3.56-mile circuit that’s configured with Daytona Worldwide Speedway’s oval and highway course structure. The final a number of years with 60 automobiles unfold throughout 4 lessons offered ample alternative for chaos, which is why the mixture of precision, teamwork and above all, timing, are paramount in attaining success.
“It takes a group and takes precision,” famous fellow Rolex Testimonee Hurley Haywood, a driver who made 40 begins in The Rolex 24 At Daytona all through his historic profession.
“It’s identical to constructing a watch: Each single piece of a racing group, all of these must be working as a unit efficiently collectively, and that’s what makes a successful group. However all of them come right here for one motive: to get that Rolex watch on their wrist.”
From the co-drivers to mechanics and pit crew members, together with engineers and group strategists, every thing and everybody have to be in sync.
“The Rolex 24 is all concerning the particulars for everyone, whether or not that is us on pit lane, the drivers, the engineers,” defined Bozi Tatarevic, mechanic and pit crew member for the Vasser Sullivan squad. “It’s a protracted, lengthy race, however a number of these things comes all the way down to seconds. And it might actually affect your efficiency. It does not matter if it is 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. – as soon as that change flips and also you rise up on the wall and seize that tire, the adrenaline simply pushes you thru.”
Why the Rolex 24 is particular
#65 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3: Christopher Mies, Frederic Vervisch, Sebastian Priaulx, #64 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3: Ben Barker, Dennis Olsen, Mike Rockenfeller
Picture by: Artwork Fleischmann
On the subject of endurance racing, there are a number of occasions held in excessive status, however The Rolex 24 At Daytona stands because the true pinnacle of American sports activities automotive racing.
Drivers from all around the world are drawn to this model of racing, and The Rolex 24 At Daytona is the undisputed crown jewel of American endurance racing. They enter with expertise in F1, IndyCar, NASCAR, and numerous different disciplines. And whereas most races come all the way down to laps and miles, endurance racing is all about time. Each second and each minute that ticks away might be the distinction in victory or defeat, and so there’s no extra becoming prize than the watch that each winner proudly shows on their wrists.
The Daytona Worldwide Speedway first roared to life in 1959, and Rolex has been a part of the long-lasting monitor’s unbelievable historical past since the circuit’s early years. They grew to become the official timekeeper of the speedway in 1962, when the then-Daytona Continental was run on the monitor. It was a three-hour endurance race that served as a precursor to the 24-hour occasion that may observe in 1966. Since 1992, the occasion has been recognized succinctly as The Rolex 24 At Daytona, and Rolex’s eponymous timepiece is now inseparable from the endurance racing basic.
“Part of my soul is right here at this monitor,” Pruett added. “I hate that I’m not sitting behind the wheel, however I’m so blessed to have all these nice years being right here and racing. Simply cherished, perpetually.”
Trying to Le Mans
#92 Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche 911 GT3 R LMGT3: Ryan Hardwick, Richard Lietz
Picture by: Porsche Motorsport
In IMSA, there are a number of different distinguished occasions, akin to The 12 Hours of Sebring, the Six Hours Of The Glen, and Petit Le Mans, however there is just one different endurance race on this planet that may evaluate to The Rolex 24 At Daytona. That occasion takes place within the coronary heart of June within the forests of France – The 24 Hours Of Le Mans. Rolex and its endurance racing involvement runs deep and much past the excessive banks of Daytona. They’ve supported Le Mans for the reason that flip of the twenty first century, they usually’ve additionally been the official timekeeper of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) since 2016.
Identical to The Rolex 24 At Daytona, maintaining a tally of the time because it ticks away is simply as vital to successful at Le Mans.
As Pruett himself stated, each throughout these legendary endurance occasions and after when the confetti rains down: “It’s all concerning the watch.”
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