Porsche Penske Goes Back-to-Back in GTP Glory
The 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona delivered another unforgettable chapter in endurance racing history. This iconic event, the opening round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, brought 24 hours of drama, determination, and high-speed excellence to Daytona International Speedway. At the end of the grueling race, it was Porsche Penske Motorsport that emerged victorious for the second consecutive year, with the No. 7 Porsche 963 claiming the overall win in the GTP class.
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of all the action and the winning teams in each class.
Overall Winners: GTP Class – No. 7 Porsche Secures Back-to-Back Wins
In the fiercely competitive GTP (Grand Touring Prototype) class, Porsche Penske Motorsport’s No. 7 Porsche 963, driven by Matt Campbell, Felipe Nasr, and Michael Christensen, etched their names in the history books with an outstanding back-to-back victory. Their triumph was a masterclass in endurance racing, as they combined speed, efficiency, and flawless execution to fend off challenges from rivals Acura and their sister car, the No. 6 Porsche.
The race came down to the final hours, with the No. 7 Porsche taking the lead during the last round of pit stops. A combination of strategic perfection and consistent lap times allowed Christensen to hold off a determined charge from the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-06, which finished in second place.
Adding to the excitement, Porsche Penske Motorsport’s No. 6 Porsche 963, piloted by Dane Cameron, Kevin Estre, and Laurens Vanthoor, completed the podium in third place. This 1-3 result for Porsche Penske Motorsport showcased the team’s dominance and solidified their status as one of the most formidable operations in the IMSA paddock.
Cadillac and BMW also showed strong performances but lacked the late-race pace to challenge for the win. The No. 01 Cadillac Racing entry finished fourth, while BMW M Team RLL claimed fifth.
LMP2 Class – CrowdStrike by APR Takes the Crown
The battle for supremacy in the LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2) class was one of the highlights of the race, with CrowdStrike Racing by APR’s No. 04 ORECA 07-Gibson taking a thrilling victory. Drivers Ben Hanley, George Kurtz, Nolan Siegel, and Colin Braun delivered an exceptional performance, managing traffic and strategy flawlessly to claim their first Rolex 24 victory as a team.
Second place in LMP2 went to TDS Racing’s No. 11 entry, while third place was secured by the No. 52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports car. The tight battle between the top three teams kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout the race’s final hours.
Gallery
Here are photos from the 2025 24 Hours of Daytona race. Click on a photo to view full-size.
All photographs by Eric Moore, FMN.
Click on a photo to enlarge
LMP3 Class – Andretti Autosport’s Breakthrough Win
The LMP3 (Le Mans Prototype 3) class saw Andretti Autosport’s No. 36 Ligier JS P320, driven by Jarett Andretti, Gabby Chaves, Dakota Dickerson, and Glenn van Berlo, take a commanding victory. This marks a major milestone for the Andretti team, as they overcame mechanical issues earlier in the race to outlast their competitors and claim their first-ever class win at the Rolex 24.
Second place went to Riley Motorsports, whose No. 74 Ligier had been a strong contender until late-race tire issues cost them valuable time. Performance Tech Motorsports rounded out the LMP3 podium in third.
GTD Pro Class – No. 79 WeatherTech Racing Porsche Takes the Win
In the highly competitive GTD Pro class, the No. 79 WeatherTech Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R, driven by Jules Gounon, Daniel Juncadella, and Maro Engel, emerged victorious after a race-long battle with rivals from Corvette and Aston Martin. The trio’s consistency and ability to avoid costly errors proved decisive in one of the most hotly contested classes of the race.
The No. 3 Corvette Racing C8.R, driven by Jordan Taylor, Antonio Garcia, and Tommy Milner, finished second after a brilliant recovery from an early race incident. Third place went to the No. 23 Heart of Racing Aston Martin, which was in contention for the win until a late pit lane penalty dropped them out of the fight for first.
GTD Class – No. 27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin Triumphs
In the GTD (GT Daytona) class, it was the No. 27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 that claimed victory, with drivers Roman De Angelis, Ian James, Darren Turner, and Marco Sørensen delivering a textbook performance. The team’s strong pace and strategic calls during the rain-affected hours of the race allowed them to edge out their rivals and take the top step of the podium.
Second place in GTD went to the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, which fought valiantly throughout the race. Rounding out the podium was the No. 44 Magnus Racing Aston Martin, adding another strong result for the British manufacturer.
Race Highlights and Key Moments
Porsche’s Late-Race Pace: The No. 7 Porsche 963 came alive in the final hours, executing perfectly timed pit stops and managing traffic to secure the victory.
Acura’s Consistency: The No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura was a constant presence at the front of the field, but a small error during the final pit stop prevented them from challenging Porsche for the win.
Rain Adds Complexity: Light rain in the early morning hours created treacherous track conditions and forced teams to gamble on tire choices, leading to several incidents and position changes.
Mechanical Issues in LMP3: The LMP3 class proved to be a war of attrition, with several cars retiring due to mechanical failures. Andretti Autosport capitalized on their competitors’ misfortunes to claim victory.
A Race to Remember
The 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona once again demonstrated why it is one of the most prestigious and exciting endurance races in the world. From Porsche Penske Motorsport’s back-to-back GTP triumph to hard-fought battles in every class, the race delivered unforgettable moments that will be remembered for years to come.
As the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship moves forward, the stage is set for a thrilling season ahead. Congratulations to all the winners and participants for making the 2025 Rolex 24 a true spectacle of endurance racing.
