Cadillac Racing will be at the front of the grid this weekend as the Rolex 24 at Daytona kicks off the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, with Pipo Derani setting the fastest lap in qualifying at 1:32.656 seconds from behind the wheel of the No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac V-Series.R. The No. 01 Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac V-Series.R was close behind for the number-two spot in qualifying. The Rolex 24 at Daytona will kick off Saturday, January 27th.
Per a report from motorsport.com, Derani nabbed the top spot on the grid and set a new track record in the process, besting a time of 1:34.031 set last year by Tom Blomqvist. Blomqvist is now driving as Derani’s teammate in the No. 31 Cadillac for the 2024 season, with Jack Aitken rounding out the No. 31 driving roster. The fastest-ever prototype lap time was previously set in 2019 at 1:33.685 by Olivier Jarvis in a Mazda DPi.
Meanwhile, Sebastien Bourdais was hot on the Derani’s trail in qualifying, posting a time of 1:32.727, just 0.071 seconds behind Derani’s pole-setting lap, securing the second position on the grid for the No. 01 Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac V-Series.R. Scott Dixen, Alex Palou, and Rengervander Zande round out the driving roster for the No. 01 Cadillac.
Taking third in qualifying was Felipe Nasr in the No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 with a time of 1:32.876, only 0.220 seconds behind the front-runner. The No. 7 Porsche had an off-track excursion during qualifying, spinning at Turn 5 before setting its fastest lap for the session.
The No. 25 BMW managed fourth on the grid with Connor De Phillippi behind the wheel, setting a time of 1:33.022, while the No. 40 Acura was fifth with a time of 1:33.100 thanks to the efforts of Louis Deletraz.
The 62nd annual Rolex 24 at Daytona will get under way at 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan 27th.
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Comments
American Power in a series that heavily favors the imports and try’s to slow down Corvettes
Few things sound better than the GM V8 engines at Daytona, running at full song. ❤️❤️❤️
I was at the Roar Before the 24 last weekend and the GM V8’s in the Cadillac’s sounded the best of all of the race cars. A deep full-throated roar that was indeed music to my ears!!!
…and Lincoln grows more irrelevant.
Cadillac shows that they have the speed and drivers. Let’s hope their cars have the endurance. Go GM!
If you get a chance watch a Formula E Race.
It’s right up there with Olympic Ice Dancing .
Aren’t Formula E Race cars good for the environment? I heard the run on unicorn dust.