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The Daytona International Speedway road course

The 56th Rolex 24 at Daytona was an endurance sports car racing event held at the Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida on January 27–28, 2018. It was also the first race for the 2018 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The overall winner was the #5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac raced by Filipe Albuquerque, João Barbosa and Christian Fittipaldi, with a record total distance of 2,876.85 mi (4,629.84 km). The GTLM Class was won by the #67 Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT driven by Scott Dixon, Ryan Briscoe and Richard Westbrook. The #11 GRT Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini Huracán GT3 driven by Mirko Bortolotti, Rik Breukers, Rolf Ineichen and Franck Perera won the GTD Class, despite having to start from the back.

Background

Entry list

Fifty cars were officially entered for the 24 Hours of Daytona with the bulk of entries in the Prototype and Gran Touring Daytona (GTD) categories.^[1] The 2017 race winners, Wayne Taylor Racing, returned to defend their title.^[2] Three existing teams, Action Express Racing, Spirit of Daytona Racing and Extreme Speed Motorsports, all fielded two Daytona Prototype International (DPi) cars called Cadillac DPi-V.R and Nissan Onroak DPi respectively, and Wayne Taylor Racing chose just to send a solitary Cadillac DPi-V.R chassis to the race.^[3] Penske Racing made their full-time sports car racing competition comeback for the first time since the 2009 Rolex Sports Car Series and fielded a pair of Honda-powered Acura ARX-05 DPis for 2018.^[4] Mazda returned to sports car racing after withdrawing with three races left in the 2017 season so their duo of RT24-Ps could be re-engineered by German operation Team Joest.^[5] They were joined by three global-specification Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) cars, represented by three out of the four major chassis: a sextet of Oreca 07s entered by JDC-Miller Motorsports, Jackie Chan DCR JOTA (two each), Performance Tech Motorsports, CORE Autosport (both one). a trio of Ligier JS P217s utilised by PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports (one) and United Autosports (two), and one Riley Mk. 30 operated by BAR1 Motorsports.^[1]^[6]

Two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso *(pictured in 2016)* made an one-off appearance for United Autosports for Daytona.

After the retirement of the aging Prototype Challenge class at the end of 2017 due to declining interest from teams,^[7] Grand Touring Le Mans (GTLM) was made the highest-ranking class below the Prototype category in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and had nine cars from five different manufacturers entered for Daytona.^[2] The BMW M8 GTE made its racing competition debut at the track and two chassis were entered by Team RLL for the whole season.^[8] Porsche fielded a pair of 911 RSRs for the second successive season and Chip Ganassi Racing entered their two Ford GTs for the third consecutive year.^[9] Ferrari once again aligned with Risi Competizione for one 488 GTE,^[9] while Corvette Racing transported their aging duo of C7.Rs to the event once again.^[7] GTD comprised twenty-one cars amongst eight GT3 manufacturers.^[3] Ferrari was the most represented marque in the category with four 488s: two by Scuderia Corsa and one each from Spirit of Race and Risi Competizione.^[2]^[7] The rest of the GTD field was made of a mix of teams and automotive brands, including two Grasser Racing Team entered Lamborghini Huracáns with a third by Paul Miller Racing, a trio of Riley Motorsports entered Mercedes-AMGs, three Acura NSXs utilised by Michael Shank Racing and HART and three Porsche 911 Rs with one each from Park Place Motorsports, Wright Motorsports and Manthey Racing. Other cars fielded were a duo of Audi R8 LMS from Magnus Racing and Montaplast and two Lexus RC Fs by 3GT Racing with a sole BMW M6 entered by Turner Motorsport.^[6]

Each car was driven by two drivers who contested the entire WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and with at least one additional racer signed for all four rounds of the North American Endurance Cup.^[10] These additional participants were recruited from a variety of racing categories, including the FIA World Endurance Championship (such as Simon Trummer for JDC-Miller Motorsports), the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (such as René Rast for Mazda Team Joest), and the IndyCar Series (such as Ryan Hunter-Reay for Wayne Taylor Racing) among others.^[11] Some drivers were competing at Daytona on a one-off basis, such as two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso,^[12] Williams driver Lance Stroll and Formula E racers Felix Rosenqvist and António Félix da Costa.^[13] Also entering were A. J. Allmendinger, Justin Marks, Brendan Gaughan and Austin Cindric from NASCAR,^[14] and 2017 Formula Three European Champion Lando Norris.^[15] The only exception to this applied to Stuart Middleton, who won the Sunoco Whelen Challenge by virtue of securing the GT4 category title in his debut year in the British GT Championship, earning him a seat with Action Express Racing.^[16]

Preview

The 24 Hours of Daytona was confirmed as part of the International Motor Sports Association's (IMSA) schedule for the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship by series president Scott Atherton in August 2017.^[17] It was the fifth consecutive year the race was held as part of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and the fifty-sixth 24 Hours of Daytona,^[17] counting the period between 1962 and 2013 when it was a round of the World Sportscar Championship, the IMSA GT Championship, the United States Road Racing Championship and the Rolex Sports Car Series.^[18]^[19] The 24 Hours of Daytona was the first of twelve scheduled sports car endurance races of 2018 by IMSA, and served as the opening round of the four-race North American Endurance Cup.^[17] The race was held at the twelve-turn 3.56 mi (5.73 km) Daytona International Speedway combined road course in Daytona Beach, Florida on 27–28 January with two preceding days of practice and qualifying.^[17]^[18]

The 24 Hours of Daytona was conceived by NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. who built the Daytona International Speedway in 1959. He sought to attract sports car endurance racing from Europe to the United States as a means of providing international exposure to Daytona.^[19] The race was first run as a three-hour event in 1962 before doubling its length two years later. It switched to a twenty-four hour race format in 1966 and has remained that way since.^[20] The 24 Hours of Daytona garnered the early reputation of being an American detour for European drivers. IMSA later began adopting its own car regulations starting from the 1980s when the race's popularity was at its peak and this caused the event to became isolated from the international motor racing scene in the 1990s.^[19] Nevertheless, the 24 Hours of Daytona, along with the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is informally considered part of the "Triple Crown of Endurance Racing".^[18]

The week before the official three-day test session at the circuit, IMSA altered the balance of performance in all three categories. All classes had their maximum revolutions per minute (rpm) defined by IMSA. 10 kg (22 lb) of weight was added to the Cadillac DPi-V.Rs compared to 2017 with its air restrictor increased by 1.8 mm (0.071 in). The duo of Nissan Onroak DPis and the two Acura ARX-05s had its weight increased to 940 kg (2,070 lb), 10 kg (22 lb) more than the global-specification LMP2 chassis and the pair of Mazda RT24-Ps. The Nissan and Mazda engines were not altered but IMSA changed the aerodynamic packages on some of the Prototypes. The debuting BMW M8 GTE's weight was established at 1,250 kg (2,760 lb) and its turbocharger boost curve was revised over its predecessor and the Mercedes-AMG GTD car had its air restrictor enlarged by 1 mm (0.039 in).^[21]

Testing

Three days worth of testing divided into seven sessions was held at the circuit from 5–7 January involving all 50 entries.^[22] João Barbosa set the fastest time early in the first day's running with a one minute and 37.266 seconds lap for the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac,^[23] and co-driver Filipe Albuquerque later improved on the lap in the second session to a one minute and 37.196 seconds.^[24] The fastest global-specification LMP2 lap came from Colin Braun in the No. 54 CORE Autosport Oreca 07 who was second-fastest overall and the No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac driven by Renger van der Zande placed third.^[24] Tristan Vautier set the fourth-fastest lap time driving for Spirit of Daytona in its No. 90 Cadillac and Ho-Pin Tung in the No. 78 Jackie Chan DCR JOTA Oreca 07 rounded out the top five.^[25] Laurens Vanthoor led GTLM in the No. 912 Porsche 911 RSR with a one minute and 44.065 seconds lap in the second session, and teammate Nick Tandy in the sister No. 911 was third; the two were separated by Richard Westbrook's No. 67 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT.^[26] GTD was topped by the No. 11 Grasser Team Racing Lamborghini Huracán of Rolf Ineichen and later Franck Perera with the two ahead of Matteo Cairoli's No. 59 Manthey Racing Porsche 911 R.^[24]^[25]

The second day's testing had Felipe Nasr top the time sheets in the No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac at one minute and 36.793 seconds. Jordan Taylor improved Wayne Taylor Racing's No. 10 Cadillac best time and was second quickest overall. Albuquerue was driving slower than the previous day and was third. Eddie Cheever III, driving the No. 90 Spirit of Racing Cadillac, was fourth-fastest by setting a faster lap than co-driver Vautier in the day's second session, while the No. 78 Jackie Chan DCR JOTA Oreca 07 was the highest-placed LMP2 car in fifth with Alex Brundle driving. The No 66 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT of Sébastien Bourdais moved to the top of GTLM with a lap time at one minute and 43.795 seconds in the fourth session. Gianmaria Bruni was second-quickest in the No. 912 Porsche 911 RSR, Ryan Briscoe put the sister No. 67 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT in third place and Alessandro Pier Guidi's No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTE was fourth-fastest. GTD was still led by the No. 11 Grasser Team Racing Lamborghini Huracán car courtesy of Ineichen's lap on the first day while Manthey Racing's No. 59 Porsche 911 R remained second but driver Sven Müller improved on its best lap time.^[27]^[28]

The third and concluding day of testing featured a qualifying session to determine the locations of the team's pit stalls and garages for the race three weeks later.^[29] Nasr's No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac set the fastest overall lap time of any driver in testing with a one minute and 35.806 seconds effort. The second-fastest car was the No. 90 Spirit of Racing Cadillac of Vautier and Albuquerque put the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac in third position. Wayne Taylor Racing placed fourth by virtue of a lap from van der Zande and Dane Cameron completed the top five overall runners in the No. 6 Penske Racing Acura ARX-05. Joey Hand set the fastest overall GTLM lap of testing in the No. 66 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT with a one minute and 43.610 seconds lap, and was followed by Oliver Gavin's No. 4 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R in second, and the sister No. 67 Ford GT driven by Briscoe. Ineichen's lap from the first day of testing was never bettered and the No. 11 Grasser Team Racing Lamborghini Huracán remained the fastest car in GTD while Cairoli's first session lap in the No. 59 Porsche 911 R fielded by Manthey Racing was fastest enough to keep it second in class.^[30]

Post-testing balance of performance adjustments

After testing, IMSA adjusted the balance of performance for the second time in all categories. The Cadillac DPi-V.Rs had their fuel capacity enlarged by 1 L (0.22 imp gal; 0.26 US gal) along with their refuelling restrictors by 0.5 L (0.11 imp gal; 0.13 US gal) but their air restrictors were 0.6 mm (0.024 in). The size of the fuel tanks in the Acura ARX-05 and the Nissan Onroak DPis were increased by 4 L (0.88 imp gal; 1.1 US gal) and 2 L (0.44 imp gal; 0.53 US gal) with the size of both car's fuel restrictors increased by 1.5 mm (0.059 in) and the latter's boost pressure was increased to peak at 7,100 rpm. The Mazda RT24-Ps were 15 kg (33 lb) lighter, its rev limit was raised to 8,600 rpm and its air restrictor was lengthened by 0.5 mm (0.020 in). The Acura, Nissan and Mazda DPis gurney flaps were adjusted for aerodynamic purposes.^[31] All GTLM cars bar the Ferrari 488 GTE had the size of the their fuel tanks adjusted. The Chevrolet Corvette's C7.R's top speed was lowered through alterations of their rear wing angles by two degrees while the Ford GT's angles were increased by three degrees and the Porsche 911 RSRs fuel restrictors were reduced in size by 1 mm (0.039 in). In GTD, the Acura NSX GT3 lost 10 kg (22 lb) in weight and the Mercedes-AMG was made 15 kg (33 lb) heavier. Turbocharger adjustments were made to the Audi R8 LMS, Lamborghini Huracán, and the BMW M6 cars^[31]

Practice and qualifying

Four practice sessions were held before the start of the race on Saturday, three on Thursday and one on Friday. The first two sessions held on Thursday morning and afternoon respectively lasted for an hour. The third held later that evening ran for ninety minutes, and the fourth on Friday morning lasted an hour.^[32]

Rast in the No. 77 Mazda Team Joest RT24-P set the fastest lap of the first practice session at one minutes and 37.428 seconds, 0.007 seconds faster than Spirit of Racing's No. 90 Cadillac of Vautier. Jordan Taylor put the No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac in third overall with Albuquerue placing the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing car in fourth. The highest-placed LMP2 car was Brundle's No. 78 Jackie Chan DCR JOTA entry in fifth place.^[33] Early in the session, Phil Hanson was driving on cold tyres, and made an error that caused him to run into the turn five tire barrier, sustaining damage to the front of his No. 23 United Autosports Ligier JS P2 car.^[34] Practice was red-flagged for eight minutes and forty-nine seconds so that Hanson's car could be removed from the circuit.^[33] In GTLM, the No. 66 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT of Hand topped the time sheets with a lap of one minute and 44.571 seconds. Per Guidi put the the No. 62 Risi Competizione’s Ferrari 488 GTE in second, and Vanthoor in Porsche's No. 912 911 RSR was third. Miguel Molina's No. 82 Risi Competizione's Ferrari 488 GT3 was fastest in GTD, and Pedro Lamy set the second-fastest class lap in Spirit of Race's No. 51 entry.^[33]

In the second practice session, Hélio Castroneves in the No. 6 Penske Acura ARX-05 recorded the fastest lap of the day up until that point with a time of one minute and 37.096 seconds. He was ahead of the No. 22 Extreme Speed Motorsports Nissan Onroak DPi of Nicolas Lapierre and Albquerque's No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing car. The leading LMP2 car was Colin Braun behind the wheel of the No. 54 CORE Autosport car in fourth and Jonathan Bomarito rounded out the top five in Mazda Team Joest's No. 55 vehicle.^[35] GTLM was led by Patrick Pilet in the No. 911 Porsche 911 RSR with a one minute and 43.902 seconds lap set late in the session, and the No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R of Jan Magnussen was second. Westbrook in the No. 66 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT rounded out the top three in the category.^[35] Álvaro Parente's No. 86 Michael Shank Racing Acura-NSX GT3 was the fastest driver in GTD, while Molina was 0.242 seconds slower in the No. 82 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GT3.^[36]

Renger van der Zande *(pictured in 2016)* took the overall pole position for Wayne Taylor Racing

Thursday afternoon's qualifying session was divided into three groups and lasted for a total of seventy-five minutes.^[32] GTD cars were sent onto the track first for fifteen minutes with a ten minute interval before those grouped in GTLM and Prototype ventured separately onto the circuit. Regulations stipulated that teams are required to nominate a single driver to qualify their respective vehicles and the starting order determined by the competitor's fastest lap times. IMSA then arranged the grid so that the Prototype and GTLM entrants would begin the race ahead of the GTD field.^[10] Van Der Zande in the No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing car clinched the third pole position of his career. and his team's first at Daytona since Max Angelelli in the 2010 race,^[37] on his final lap of the session with a time of one minute and 36.083 seconds in spite of running deep at turn five after braking later than usual.^[38] He was joined on the front row of the grid by the No. 7 Penske Racing Acura ARX-05 of Castroneves which had the pole position for the closing minutes of qualifying until van der Zande's lap. On his final timed lap, Albuquerue qualified the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac in third place, and Patricio O'Ward took fourth in the No. 38 Performance Tech Racing Oreca 07 to become the highest-placed LMP2 car in the field.^[39] Early pace setter Vautier in the No. 90 Spirit of Racing car ended up fifth while Robin Frijns' No. 78 Jackie Chan DCR JOTA entry secured sixth.^[38] Nasr was driving faster but stopped on the track with an electrical fault and was restricted to seventh.^[40] Braun qualified the No. 54 CORE Autosport car eighth, Bomarito in the No. 55 Mazda Team Joest RT24-P ninth, and Cameron's No. 6 Penske Racing vehicle rounded out the top ten.^[41] Lapierre was unable to set a lap time in the No. 22 Extreme Speed Motorsports car after locking his brakes on his first timed lap, and drove into the tyre barriers at the West Horseshoe, damaging its front-left suspension.^[38]^[42] Extreme Speed Motorsports' No. 2 entry did not participate due to a precautionary engine switch,^[39] and Mazda Team Joest's No. 77 car was absent because a data irregularity was discovered prior to qualifying.^[42]

Jan Magnussen *(pictured in 2009)* claimed pole position in the GTLM class for Corvette Racing.

In GTLM, Magnussen's No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R drafted his teammate Gavin in the sister car and took his fourth class pole position in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and suppressed Hand's 2017 lap record with a time of one minute and 42.779 seconds. Magnussen was 0.019 seconds faster than the second-placed qualifier Hand in the No. 66 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT, and following in third place was the No. 912 Porsche 911 RSR of Vanthoor, with the sister No. 911 car driven by Pilet taking fourth position.^[43] Westbrook completed the top five class competitors in the slower of the two Ford GTs.^[39] Daniel Serra in the No. 51 Spirit of Race Ferrari 488 GT3 was the first driver to record a GTD lap time in the one minute and 46 second range midway through the session,^[39]^[44] and this secured him his second pole position of his career, and in any class since the 2016 Monterey Grand Prix with a one minute and 46.407 seconds lap. Molina made it an all-Ferrari category front row in the No. 82 Risi Competizione entry.^[43] The No. 11 Grasser Team Racing Lamborghini Huracán of Mirko Bortolotti was the third-fastest class qualifier, but the car was demoted to the rear of the GTD field as it failed a mandatory stall test in post-qualifying technical inspection. Hence, Jack Hawksworth inherited third in the No. 15 3GT Racing Lexus RC F GT3,^[43] Alessandro Balzan's No. 63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3 started fourth, and Dominik Baumann's slower Lexus rounded out the top five.^[39] Two GTD cars failed to record a lap time: The No. 73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 R's tire punctured while on its out lap, and P1 Motorsport's No. 73 Mercedes-AMG GT3 had brake problems.^[45]

The third practice session was run at night and had Vautier's No. 90 Spirit of Race car set the fastest overall lap of one minute and 37.210 seconds. Castroneves was almost two-tenths of a second behind in second, with the No. 22 Extreme Speed Motorsports entry of Pipo Derani in third. Harry Tincknell in the No. 55 Mazda Team Joest RT24-P placed fourth in the time sheets, and Norris' No. 23 United Autosports car was running quicker and completed the top five.^[46] Kyle Masson caused the first stoppage of the session when his No. 38 Performance Tech Motorsports Oreca 07 ran out of fuel on track, and required recovery back to the pit lane. Later, Gustavo Menezes' No. 99 JDC-Miller Motorsports car blew its right-rear tire entering Speedway turn two at high-speed, but controlled his car throughout and avoided hitting the wall, although this stopped practice for twelve minutes.^[47] Ford GTs took the first two placings in GTLM with the No. 66 car of Bourdais faster than the sister No. 67 entry of Westbrook by two-tenths of a second. GTD was led by Bortolotti's No. 11 Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini Huracán, and Sam Bird, driving the No. 64 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3, was second in class.^[47]

Mike Conway led the final practice session in the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Racing entry with a time of one minute and 36.865 seconds, and Stroll's No. 37 Jackie Chan DCR JOTA car was second-fastest. The No. 90 Spirit of Race Cadillac driven by Vautier set the third-quickest lap, and Rast's No. 77 Mazda Team Joest car, along with Albuquerque's No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing entry completed the top five overall runners.^[48] The session passed relatively peacefully, although the right-rear tire on the No. 32 United Autosports vehicle driven by Bruno Senna blew while circulating the track.^[48]^[49] In GTLM, Hand once again went fastest in the class with a lap of one minute and 44.602 seconds. Bruni was second-fastest in the No. 912 Porsche 911 RSR, and his teammate Pilet placed third in the sister No. 911 Porsche. Cairoli set the fastest time in GTD, and was followed by Jeroen Bleekemolen in the No. 33 Riley Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 car.^[50]

Pre-race

Ricky Taylor, co-driver of the No. 6 Penske entry, checked himself into practical quarantine because he had been suffering from flu for the past three days. He was consequently prescribed Oseltamivir, and advised not to come into contact with his teammates.^[51] Meanwhile, Tomy Drissi was required to withdraw from the race due to business commitments, leaving the No. 20 BAR1 Motorsports Riley Mk. 30 car to operate as a four-person entry.^[52] The No. 2 Extreme Speed Motorsports, the No. 71 P1 Motorsports Mercedes-AMG, and the No. 77 Mazda entries were sent to the rear of their respective class fields because their teams had changed their respective starting drivers. Although Paul Miller Racing and Mazda changed engines in their respective cars (the No. 48 Lamborghini and the No. 77 RT24-P), they were not demoted any places on the grid since the race lasted for more than six hours.^[53]

Qualifying results

Pole positions in each class are indicated by ‡.^[41]

Pos.	Class	No.	Team	Driver	Time	Gap	Grid
1	P	10	Wayne Taylor Racing	Renger van der Zande	1:36.083	—	1‡
2	P	7	Acura Team Penske	Hélio Castroneves	1:36.090	+0.007	2
3	P	5	Mustang Sampling Racing	Filipe Albuquerque	1:36.194	+0.111	3
4	P	38	Performance Tech Motorsports	Patricio O'Ward	1:36.318	+0.235	4
5	P	90	Spirit of Daytona Racing	Tristan Vautier	1:36.472	+0.389	5
6	P	37	Jackie Chan DCR JOTA	Robin Frijns	1:36.492	+0.409	6
7	P	31	Whelen Engineering Racing	Felipe Nasr	1:36.508	+0.425	7
8	P	54	CORE Autosport	Colin Braun	1:36.567	+0.484	8
9	P	55	Mazda Team Joest	Jonathan Bomarito	1:36.633	+0.550	9
10	P	6	Acura Team Penske	Dane Cameron	1:36.931	+0.848	10
11	P	78	Jackie Chan DCR JOTA	Alex Brundle	1:36.982	+0.899	11
12	P	85	JDC-Miller Motorsports	Simon Trummer	1:37.005	+0.922	12
13	P	23	United Autosports	Fernando Alonso	1:37.008	+0.925	13
14	P	99	JDC-Miller Motorsports	Stephen Simpson	1:37.124	+1.041	14
15	P	32	United Autosports	Bruno Senna	1:38.186	+2.103	15
16	P	52	AFS/PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports	Gustavo Yacamán	1:38.773	+2.690	16
17	P	20	BAR1 Motorsports	Alex Popow	1:41.778	+5.695	17
18	GTLM	3	Corvette Racing	Jan Magnussen	1:42.779	+6.696	21‡
19	GTLM	66	Ford Chip Ganassi Racing	Joey Hand	1:42.798	+6.715	22
20	GTLM	912	Porsche GT Team	Laurens Vanthoor	1:42.927	+6.844	23
21	GTLM	911	Porsche GT Team	Patrick Pilet	1:43.062	+6.979	24
22	GTLM	67	Ford Chip Ganassi Racing	Richard Westbrook	1:43.091	+7.008	25
23	GTLM	4	Corvette Racing	Oliver Gavin	1:43.453	+7.370	26
24	GTLM	62	Risi Competizione	Toni Vilander	1:43.601	+7.518	27
25	GTLM	25	BMW Team RLL	Alexander Sims	1:43.948	+7.865	28
26	GTLM	24	BMW Team RLL	John Edwards	1:44.413	+8.330	29
27	GTD	51	Spirit of Race	Daniel Serra	1:46.049	+9.966	30‡
28	P	22	Tequila Patrón ESM	Nicolas Lapierre	1:46.129	+10.046	18
29	GTD	82	Risi Competizione	Miguel Molina	1:46.502	+10.419	31
30	GTD	11	GRT Grasser Racing Team	Mirko Bortolotti	1:46.658	+10.575	50
31	GTD	15	3GT Racing	Jack Hawksworth	1:46.714	+10.631	32
32	GTD	63	Scuderia Corsa	Alessandro Balzan	1:47.055	+10.972	33
33	GTD	14	3GT Racing	Dominik Baumann	1:47.186	+11.103	34
34	GTD	86	Michael Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian	Álvaro Parente	1:47.251	+11.168	35
35	GTD	29	Montaplast by Land-Motorsport	Sheldon van der Linde	1:47.273	+11.190	36
36	GTD	58	Wright Motorsports	Robert Renauer	1:47.291	+11.208	37
37	GTD	96	Turner Motorsport	Cameron Lawrence	1:47.348	+11.265	38
38	GTD	44	Magnus Racing	Andy Lally	1:47.442	+11.359	39
39	GTD	59	Manthey Racing	Sven Müller	1:47.587	+11.504	40
40	GTD	33	Mercedes-AMG Team Riley Motorsports	Ben Keating	1:47.796	+11.713	41
41	GTD	64	Scuderia Corsa	Sam Bird	1:47.839	+11.756	42
42	GTD	69	HART	Ryan Eversley	1:47.862	+11.779	43
43	GTD	48	Paul Miller Racing	Bryce Miller	1:48.181	+12.098	44
44	GTD	93	Michael Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian	Côme Ledogar	1:48.239	+12.156	45
45	GTD	75	SunEnergy1 Racing	Kenny Habul	1:48.326	+12.243	46
46	GTD	19	GRT Grasser Racing Team	Christoph Lenz	1:51.531	+15.448	47
–	P	77	Mazda Team Joest	Did Not Participate			19
–	P	2	Tequila Patrón ESM	Did Not Participate			20
–	GTD	73	Park Place Motorsports	Did Not Participate			48
–	GTD	71	P1 Motorsports	Did Not Participate			49

Race

Results

Class winners are denoted in bold.^[54]

Pos	Class	No.	Team	Drivers	Chassis	Tire	Laps	Time/Retired
Pos	Class	No.	Team	Drivers	Engine	Tire	Laps	Time/Retired
1	P	5	Mustang Sampling Racing	Filipe Albuquerque João Barbosa Christian Fittipaldi	Cadillac DPi-V.R	C	808	24:01:32.128
1	P	5	Mustang Sampling Racing	Filipe Albuquerque João Barbosa Christian Fittipaldi	Cadillac 5.5 L V8	C	808	24:01:32.128
2	P	31	Whelen Engineering Racing	Mike Conway Eric Curran Stuart Middleton Felipe Nasr	Cadillac DPi-V.R	C	808	+1:10.544
2	P	31	Whelen Engineering Racing	Mike Conway Eric Curran Stuart Middleton Felipe Nasr	Cadillac 5.5 L V8	C	808	+1:10.544
3	P	54	CORE Autosport	Jon Bennett Colin Braun Romain Dumas Loïc Duval	Oreca 07	C	808	+1:31.982
3	P	54	CORE Autosport	Jon Bennett Colin Braun Romain Dumas Loïc Duval	Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8	C	808	+1:31.982
4	P	32	United Autosports	William Owen Paul di Resta Hugo de Sadeleer Bruno Senna	Ligier JS P217	C	804	+4 Laps
4	P	32	United Autosports	William Owen Paul di Resta Hugo de Sadeleer Bruno Senna	Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8	C	804	+4 Laps
5	P	78	Jackie Chan DCR JOTA	Alex Brundle António Félix da Costa Ferdinand Habsburg Ho-Pin Tung	Oreca 07	C	804	+4 Laps
5	P	78	Jackie Chan DCR JOTA		Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8	C	804	+4 Laps
6	P	85	JDC-Miller Motorsports	Robert Alon Austin Cindric Devlin DeFrancesco Simon Trummer	Oreca 07	C	798	+10 Laps
6	P	85	JDC-Miller Motorsports	Robert Alon Austin Cindric Devlin DeFrancesco Simon Trummer	Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8	C	798	+10 Laps
7	P	99	JDC-Miller Motorsports	Mikhail Goikhberg Gustavo Menezes Chris Miller Stephen Simpson	Oreca 07	C	798	+10 Laps
7	P	99	JDC-Miller Motorsports		Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8	C	798	+10 Laps
8	P	38	Performance Tech Motorsports	James French Kyle Masson Joel Miller Patricio O'Ward	Oreca 07	C	796	+12 Laps
8	P	38	Performance Tech Motorsports	James French Kyle Masson Joel Miller Patricio O'Ward	Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8	C	796	+12 Laps
9	P	7	Acura Team Penske	Hélio Castroneves Graham Rahal Ricky Taylor	Acura ARX-05	C	793	+15 Laps
9	P	7	Acura Team Penske	Hélio Castroneves Graham Rahal Ricky Taylor	Acura AR35TT 3.5 L Turbo V6	C	793	+15 Laps
10	P	6	Acura Team Penske	Dane Cameron Juan Pablo Montoya Simon Pagenaud	Acura ARX-05	C	793	+15 Laps
10	P	6	Acura Team Penske	Dane Cameron Juan Pablo Montoya Simon Pagenaud	Acura AR35TT 3.5 L Turbo V6	C	793	+15 Laps
11	GTLM	67	Ford Chip Ganassi Racing	Ryan Briscoe Scott Dixon Richard Westbrook	Ford GT	M	783	+25 Laps
11	GTLM	67	Ford Chip Ganassi Racing	Ryan Briscoe Scott Dixon Richard Westbrook	Ford EcoBoost 3.5 L Turbo V6	M	783	+25 Laps
12	GTLM	66	Ford Chip Ganassi Racing	Sébastien Bourdais Joey Hand Dirk Müller	Ford GT	M	783	+25 Laps
12	GTLM	66	Ford Chip Ganassi Racing	Sébastien Bourdais Joey Hand Dirk Müller	Ford EcoBoost 3.5 L Turbo V6	M	783	+25 Laps
13	GTLM	3	Corvette Racing	Antonio García Jan Magnussen Mike Rockenfeller	Chevrolet Corvette C7.R	M	781	+27 Laps
13	GTLM	3	Corvette Racing	Antonio García Jan Magnussen Mike Rockenfeller	Chevrolet LT5.5 5.5 L V8	M	781	+27 Laps
14	GTLM	4	Corvette Racing	Marcel Fässler Oliver Gavin Tommy Milner	Chevrolet Corvette C7.R	M	780	+28 Laps
14	GTLM	4	Corvette Racing	Marcel Fässler Oliver Gavin Tommy Milner	Chevrolet LT5.5 5.5 L V8	M	780	+28 Laps
15	P	37	Jackie Chan DCR JOTA	Robin Frijns Daniel Juncadella Felix Rosenqvist Lance Stroll	Oreca 07	C	777	+31 Laps
15	P	37	Jackie Chan DCR JOTA		Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8	C	777	+31 Laps
16	GTLM	62	Risi Competizione	James Calado Alessandro Pier Guidi Davide Rigon Toni Vilander	Ferrari 488 GTE	M	774	+34 Laps
16	GTLM	62	Risi Competizione		Ferrari F154CB 3.9 L Turbo V8	M	774	+34 Laps
17	GTLM	912	Porsche GT Team	Earl Bamber Gianmaria Bruni Laurens Vanthoor	Porsche 911 RSR	M	774	+34 Laps
17	GTLM	912	Porsche GT Team	Earl Bamber Gianmaria Bruni Laurens Vanthoor	Porsche 4.0 L Flat-6	M	774	+34 Laps
18	GTLM	24	BMW Team RLL	Nick Catsburg John Edwards Augusto Farfus Jesse Krohn	BMW M8 GTE	M	773	+35 Laps
18	GTLM	24	BMW Team RLL	Nick Catsburg John Edwards Augusto Farfus Jesse Krohn	BMW S63 4.0 L Twin-turbo V8	M	773	+35 Laps
19	P	52	AFS/PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports	Nicholas Boulle Roberto González Sebastián Saavedra Gustavo Yacamán	Ligier JS P217	C	771	+37 Laps
19	P	52	AFS/PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports		Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8	C	771	+37 Laps
20	GTLM	911	Porsche GT Team	Frédéric Makowiecki Patrick Pilet Nick Tandy	Porsche 911 RSR	M	753	+55 Laps
20	GTLM	911	Porsche GT Team	Frédéric Makowiecki Patrick Pilet Nick Tandy	Porsche 4.0 L Flat-6	M	753	+55 Laps
21	GTD	11	GRT Grasser Racing Team	Mirko Bortolotti Rik Breukers Rolf Ineichen Franck Perera	Lamborghini Huracán GT3	C	752	+56 Laps
21	GTD	11	GRT Grasser Racing Team	Mirko Bortolotti Rik Breukers Rolf Ineichen Franck Perera	Lamborghini 5.2 L V10	C	752	+56 Laps
22	GTD	86	Michael Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian	A. J. Allmendinger Trent Hindman Katherine Legge Álvaro Parente	Acura NSX GT3	C	751	+57 Laps
22	GTD	86	Michael Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian		Acura 3.5 L Turbo V6	C	751	+57 Laps
23	GTD	23	Paul Miller Racing	Andrea Caldarelli Bryce Miller Bryan Sellers Madison Snow	Lamborghini Huracán GT3	C	751	+57 Laps
23	GTD	23	Paul Miller Racing	Andrea Caldarelli Bryce Miller Bryan Sellers Madison Snow	Lamborghini 5.2 L V10	C	751	+57 Laps
24	GTD	33	Mercedes-AMG Team Riley Motorsports	Jeroen Bleekemolen Adam Christodoulou Ben Keating Luca Stolz	Mercedes-AMG GT3	C	751	+57 Laps
24	GTD	33	Mercedes-AMG Team Riley Motorsports		Mercedes-AMG M159 6.2 L V8	C	751	+57 Laps
25	GTD	64	Scuderia Corsa	Townsend Bell Sam Bird Frankie Montecalvo Bill Sweedler	Ferrari 488 GT3	C	751	+57 Laps
25	GTD	64	Scuderia Corsa	Townsend Bell Sam Bird Frankie Montecalvo Bill Sweedler	Ferrari F154CB 3.9 L Turbo V8	C	751	+57 Laps
26	GTD	44	Magnus Racing	Andrew Davis Andy Lally John Potter Markus Winkelhock	Audi R8 LMS	C	750	+58 Laps
26	GTD	44	Magnus Racing	Andrew Davis Andy Lally John Potter Markus Winkelhock	Audi 5.2 L V10	C	750	+58 Laps
27	GTD	29	Montaplast by Land-Motorsport	Sheldon van der Linde Kelvin van der Linde Christopher Mies Jeffrey Schmidt	Audi R8 LMS	C	749	+59 Laps
27	GTD	29	Montaplast by Land-Motorsport		Audi 5.2 L V10	C	749	+59 Laps
28	GTD	75	SunEnergy1 Racing	Mikaël Grenier Kenny Habul Thomas Jäger Maro Engel	Mercedes-AMG GT3	C	745	+63 Laps
28	GTD	75	SunEnergy1 Racing	Mikaël Grenier Kenny Habul Thomas Jäger Maro Engel	Mercedes-AMG M159 6.2 L V8	C	745	+63 Laps
29	GTD	15	3GT Racing	Dominik Farnbacher Jack Hawksworth David Heinemeier Hansson Scott Pruett	Lexus RC F GT3	C	744	+64 Laps
29	GTD	15	3GT Racing		Lexus 5.0 L V8	C	744	+64 Laps
30	GTD	63	Scuderia Corsa	Alessandro Balzan Gunnar Jeannette Cooper MacNeil Jeff Segal	Ferrari 488 GT3	C	744	+64 Laps
30	GTD	63	Scuderia Corsa		Ferrari F154CB 3.9 L Turbo V8	C	744	+64 Laps
31	GTD	93	Michael Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian	Lawson Aschenbach Mario Farnbacher Côme Ledogar Justin Marks	Acura NSX GT3	C	741	+67 Laps
31	GTD	93	Michael Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian		Acura 3.5 L Turbo V6	C	741	+67 Laps
32	GTD	71	P1 Motorsports	Robby Foley Kenton Koch JC Perez Loris Spinelli	Mercedes-AMG GT3	C	741	+67 Laps
32	GTD	71	P1 Motorsports	Robby Foley Kenton Koch JC Perez Loris Spinelli	Mercedes-AMG M159 6.2 L V8	C	741	+67 Laps
33	GTD	19	GRT Grasser Racing Team	Christian Engelhart Christoph Lenz Louis Machiels Ezequiel Pérez Companc Max van Splunteren	Lamborghini Huracán GT3	C	739	+69 Laps
33	GTD	19	GRT Grasser Racing Team		Lamborghini 5.2 L V10	C	739	+69 Laps
34	GTD	96	Turner Motorsport	Jens Klingmann Mark Kvamme Cameron Lawrence Martin Tomczyk Don Yount	BMW M6 GT3	C	733	+75 Laps
34	GTD	96	Turner Motorsport		BMW 4.4 L Turbo V8	C	733	+75 Laps
35	GTLM	25	BMW Team RLL	Bill Auberlen Connor De Phillippi Philipp Eng Alexander Sims	BMW M8 GTE	M	731	+77 Laps
35	GTLM	25	BMW Team RLL		BMW S63 4.0 L Twin-turbo V8	M	731	+77 Laps
36	GTD	14	3GT Racing	Dominik Baumann Philipp Frommenwiler Bruno Junqueira Kyle Marcelli	Lexus RC F GT3	C	719	+89 Laps
36	GTD	14	3GT Racing		Lexus 5.0 L V8	C	719	+89 Laps
37	GTD	69	HART	Ryan Eversley John Falb Chad Gilsinger Sean Rayhall	Acura NSX GT3	C	719	+89 Laps
37	GTD	69	HART	Ryan Eversley John Falb Chad Gilsinger Sean Rayhall	Acura 3.5 L Turbo V6	C	719	+89 Laps
38	P	23	United Autosports	Fernando Alonso Philip Hanson Lando Norris	Ligier JS P217	C	718	+90 Laps
38	P	23	United Autosports	Fernando Alonso Philip Hanson Lando Norris	Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8	C	718	+90 Laps
39	GTD	82	Risi Competizione	Santiago Creel Martin Fuentes Matt Griffin Miguel Molina Ricardo Pérez de Lara	Ferrari 488 GT3	C	715	+93 Laps
39	GTD	82	Risi Competizione		Ferrari F154CB 3.9 L Turbo V8	C	715	+93 Laps
40	GTD	73	Park Place Motorsports	Jörg Bergmeister Patrick Lindsey Tim Pappas Norbert Siedler	Porsche 911 GT3 R	C	675	+133 Laps
40	GTD	73	Park Place Motorsports	Jörg Bergmeister Patrick Lindsey Tim Pappas Norbert Siedler	Porsche 4.0 L Flat-6	C	675	+133 Laps
41	GTD	58	Wright Motorsports	Mathieu Jaminet Patrick Long Christina Nielsen Robert Renauer	Porsche 911 GT3 R	C	666	+142 Laps
41	GTD	58	Wright Motorsports		Porsche 4.0 L Flat-6	C	666	+142 Laps
42	P	20	BAR1 Motorsports^{[N 1]}	Marc Drumwright Brendan Gaughan Eric Lux Alex Popow	Riley Mk. 30	C	642	+166 Laps
42	P	20	BAR1 Motorsports^{[N 1]}	Marc Drumwright Brendan Gaughan Eric Lux Alex Popow	Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8	C	642	+166 Laps
43	GTD	59	Manthey Racing	Matteo Cairoli Sven Müller Harald Proczyk Steve Smith Randy Walls	Porsche 911 GT3 R	C	637	Did Not Finish
43	GTD	59	Manthey Racing		Porsche 4.0 L Flat-6	C	637	Did Not Finish
44	GTD	51	Spirit of Race	Paul Dalla Lana Pedro Lamy Mathias Lauda Daniel Serra	Ferrari 488 GT3	C	571	+237 Laps
44	GTD	51	Spirit of Race	Paul Dalla Lana Pedro Lamy Mathias Lauda Daniel Serra	Ferrari F154CB 3.9 L Turbo V8	C	571	+237 Laps
45	P	10	Wayne Taylor Racing	Ryan Hunter-Reay Jordan Taylor Renger van der Zande	Cadillac DPi-V.R	C	555	Did Not Finish
45	P	10	Wayne Taylor Racing	Ryan Hunter-Reay Jordan Taylor Renger van der Zande	Cadillac 5.5 L V8	C	555	Did Not Finish
46	P	55	Mazda Team Joest	Jonathan Bomarito Spencer Pigot Harry Tincknell	Mazda RT24-P	C	541	Did Not Finish
46	P	55	Mazda Team Joest	Jonathan Bomarito Spencer Pigot Harry Tincknell	Mazda MZ-2.0T 2.0 L Turbo I4	C	541	Did Not Finish
47	P	77	Mazda Team Joest	Oliver Jarvis Tristan Nunez René Rast	Mazda RT24-P	C	530	Did Not Finish
47	P	77	Mazda Team Joest	Oliver Jarvis Tristan Nunez René Rast	Mazda MZ-2.0T 2.0 L Turbo I4	C	530	Did Not Finish
48	P	22	Tequila Patrón ESM	Pipo Derani Nicolas Lapierre Johannes van Overbeek	Nissan Onroak DPi	C	438	Did Not Finish
48	P	22	Tequila Patrón ESM	Pipo Derani Nicolas Lapierre Johannes van Overbeek	Nissan VR38DETT 3.8 L Turbo V6	C	438	Did Not Finish
49	P	2	Tequila Patrón ESM	Ryan Dalziel Olivier Pla Scott Sharp	Nissan Onroak DPi	C	338	Did Not Finish
49	P	2	Tequila Patrón ESM	Ryan Dalziel Olivier Pla Scott Sharp	Nissan VR38DETT 3.8 L Turbo V6	C	338	Did Not Finish
50	P	90	Spirit of Daytona Racing	Eddie Cheever III Matt McMurry Tristan Vautier	Cadillac DPi-V.R	C	291	Did Not Finish
50	P	90	Spirit of Daytona Racing	Eddie Cheever III Matt McMurry Tristan Vautier	Cadillac 5.5 L V8	C	291	Did Not Finish

Notes

^ Tomy Drissi was listed at the beginning but he eventually withdrew for business committments.

References

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External Links

WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
Previous race: Petit Le Mans (2017)	2018 season	Next race: 12 Hours of Sebring

[TomyDrissi-55] Tomy Drissi was listed at the beginning but he eventually withdrew for business committments.

[S365Entry-1] Dagys, John (17 January 2018). "Rolex 24 Entry List Released". SportsCar365. Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[ApexEntry-2] Durant, Aaron (16 January 2018). "50 Cars Entered for Rolex 24". The Apex. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[AutoweekEntry-3] Weaver, Matt (21 January 2018). "IMSA reveals 50-car Rolex 24 Entry List". Autoweek. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

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[DriveEntry-9] Jacobs, Caleb (22 January 2018). "IMSA Announces Official 50-Car Field for 2018 Rolex 24 at Daytona". The Drive. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

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[46] Mercier, Laurent (26 January 2018). "24H Daytona, Libres 3 : Tristan Vautier (Cadillac) le plus vite dans la nuit" (in French). Endurance-Info. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

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 ==Background==
 ===Entry list===
-Fifty cars were officially entered for the [[24 Hours of Daytona]] with the bulk of entries in the Prototype and [[Grand tourer|Gran Touring Daytona]] (GTD) categories.<ref name=S365Entry>{{cite web|last=Dagys|first=John|title=Rolex 24 Entry List Released|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/rolex-24-entry-list-released/|publisher=SportsCar365|date=January 17, 2018|accessdate=March 24, 2018}}</ref> The [[2017 24 Hours of Daytona|2017 race]] winners, [[Wayne Taylor Racing]], returned to defend their title.<ref name="ApexEntry">{{cite web|last=Durant|first=Aaron|title=50 Cars Entered for Rolex 24|url=https://www.theapexracing.co/2018/01/2018-rolex-24-entry-list/|publisher=The Apex|date=January 16, 2018|accessdate=March 24, 2018}}</ref> Three existing teams, [[Action Express Racing]], [[Spirit of Daytona Racing]] and [[Extreme Speed Motorsports]], all fielded two [[Daytona Prototype|Daytona Prototype International]] (DPi) cars called [[Cadillac DPi-V.R]] and [[Ligier JS P217#Nissan Onroak DPi|Nissan Onroak DPi]] respectively, and Wayne Taylor Racing chose just to send a solitary Cadillac DPi-V.R chassis to the race.<ref name="AutoweekEntry">{{cite web|last=Weaver|first=Matt|title=IMSA reveals 50-car Rolex 24 Entry List|url=http://autoweek.com/article/imsa/imsa-reveals-50-car-rolex-24-entry-list|work=[[Autoweek]]|date=January 21, 2018|accessdate=March 24, 2018}}</ref> [[Team Penske|Penske Racing]] made their full-time [[sports car racing]] competition comeback for the first time since the [[2009 Rolex Sports Car Series]] and fielded a pair of [[Honda Racing Corporation|Honda]]-powered [[Oreca 07#Acura ARX-05|Acura ARX-05]] DPis for 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://racing.ap.org/article/penske-returns-rolex-its-own-version-star-cars|title=Penske returns to Rolex with its own version of star cars|last=Fryer|first=Jenna|date=5 January 2018|work=|access-date=24 March 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> [[Mazda]] returned to sports car racing after withdrawing with three races left in the [[2017 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship|2017 season]] so their duo of [[Riley Mk. 30|RT24-Ps]] could be re-engineered by German operation [[Joest Racing|Team Joest]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/mazda-team-joest-optimistic-ahead-of-rolex-24-998717/|title=Mazda Team Joest optimistic ahead of Rolex 24|last=Malsher|first=David|date=24 January 2018|website=|publisher=[[motorsport.com]]|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref> They were joined by three global-specification [[Le Mans Prototype#LMP2|Le Mans Prototype 2]] (LMP2) cars, represented by three out of the four major chassis: a sextet of [[Oreca 07|Oreca 07s]] entered by JDC-Miller Motorsports, [[Jackie Chan DC Racing|Jackie Chan DCR JOTA]] (two each), Performance Tech Motorsports, [[CORE Autosport]] (both one). a trio of [[Ligier JS P217|Ligier JS P217s]] utilised by PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports (one) and [[United Autosports]] (two), and one [[Riley Mk. 30]] operated by BAR1 Motorsports.<ref name="S365Entry" /><ref name="FronstretchEntry">{{cite web|last=Allaway|first=Phil|title=Entry List: 2018 Rolex 24 at Daytona|url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2018/01/17/entry-list-2018-rolex-24-at-daytona/|publisher=Frontstretch|date=January 17, 2018|accessdate=March 24, 2018}}</ref>
+Fifty cars were officially entered for the [[24 Hours of Daytona]] with the bulk of entries in the Prototype and [[Grand tourer|Gran Touring Daytona]] (GTD) categories.<ref name=S365Entry>{{cite web|last=Dagys|first=John|title=Rolex 24 Entry List Released|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/rolex-24-entry-list-released/|publisher=SportsCar365|date=January 17, 2018|accessdate=March 24, 2018|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418152808/http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/rolex-24-entry-list-released/|archivedate=18 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The [[2017 24 Hours of Daytona|2017 race]] winners, [[Wayne Taylor Racing]], returned to defend their title.<ref name="ApexEntry">{{cite web|last=Durant|first=Aaron|title=50 Cars Entered for Rolex 24|url=https://www.theapexracing.co/2018/01/2018-rolex-24-entry-list/|publisher=The Apex|date=January 16, 2018|accessdate=March 24, 2018|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612072441/https://www.theapexracing.co/2018/01/2018-rolex-24-entry-list/|archivedate=12 June 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Three existing teams, [[Action Express Racing]], [[Spirit of Daytona Racing]] and [[Extreme Speed Motorsports]], all fielded two [[Daytona Prototype|Daytona Prototype International]] (DPi) cars called [[Cadillac DPi-V.R]] and [[Ligier JS P217#Nissan Onroak DPi|Nissan Onroak DPi]] respectively, and Wayne Taylor Racing chose just to send a solitary Cadillac DPi-V.R chassis to the race.<ref name="AutoweekEntry">{{cite web|last=Weaver|first=Matt|title=IMSA reveals 50-car Rolex 24 Entry List|url=http://autoweek.com/article/imsa/imsa-reveals-50-car-rolex-24-entry-list|work=[[Autoweek]]|date=January 21, 2018|accessdate=March 24, 2018|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612072436/http://autoweek.com/article/imsa/imsa-reveals-50-car-rolex-24-entry-list|archivedate=12 June 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Team Penske|Penske Racing]] made their full-time [[sports car racing]] competition comeback for the first time since the [[2009 Rolex Sports Car Series]] and fielded a pair of [[Honda Racing Corporation|Honda]]-powered [[Oreca 07#Acura ARX-05|Acura ARX-05]] DPis for 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://racing.ap.org/article/penske-returns-rolex-its-own-version-star-cars|title=Penske returns to Rolex with its own version of star cars|last=Fryer|first=Jenna|date=5 January 2018|work=|access-date=24 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127095329/https://racing.ap.org/article/penske-returns-rolex-its-own-version-star-cars|archive-date=27 January 2018|dead-url=no|agency=[[Associated Press]]|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Mazda]] returned to sports car racing after withdrawing with three races left in the [[2017 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship|2017 season]] so their duo of [[Riley Mk. 30|RT24-Ps]] could be re-engineered by German operation [[Joest Racing|Team Joest]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/mazda-team-joest-optimistic-ahead-of-rolex-24-998717/|title=Mazda Team Joest optimistic ahead of Rolex 24|last=Malsher|first=David|date=24 January 2018|website=|publisher=[[motorsport.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612072441/https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/mazda-team-joest-optimistic-ahead-of-rolex-24-998717/|archive-date=12 June 2018|dead-url=no|access-date=25 March 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> They were joined by three global-specification [[Le Mans Prototype#LMP2|Le Mans Prototype 2]] (LMP2) cars, represented by three out of the four major chassis: a sextet of [[Oreca 07|Oreca 07s]] entered by JDC-Miller Motorsports, [[Jackie Chan DC Racing|Jackie Chan DCR JOTA]] (two each), Performance Tech Motorsports, [[CORE Autosport]] (both one). a trio of [[Ligier JS P217|Ligier JS P217s]] utilised by PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports (one) and [[United Autosports]] (two), and one [[Riley Mk. 30]] operated by BAR1 Motorsports.<ref name="S365Entry" /><ref name="FronstretchEntry">{{cite web|last=Allaway|first=Phil|title=Entry List: 2018 Rolex 24 at Daytona|url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2018/01/17/entry-list-2018-rolex-24-at-daytona/|publisher=Frontstretch|date=January 17, 2018|accessdate=March 24, 2018|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417155644/https://www.frontstretch.com/2018/01/17/entry-list-2018-rolex-24-at-daytona/|archivedate=17 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
 [[File:Alonso 2016.jpg|thumb|upright|Two-time Formula One World Champion [[Fernando Alonso]] ''(pictured in 2016)'' made an one-off appearance for [[United Autosports]] for Daytona.]]
-After the retirement of the aging [[Le Mans Prototype Challenge|Prototype Challenge]] class at the end of 2017 due to declining interest from teams,<ref name="TSEntry">{{Cite web|url=https://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/rolex-24-hours-of-daytona-2018-preview-ar179439.html|title=The racing season is just around the corner|last=Fira|first=Mihai|date=22 January 2018|publisher=TopSpeed|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref> [[LM GTE|Grand Touring Le Mans]] (GTLM) was made the highest-ranking class below the Prototype category in the [[WeatherTech SportsCar Championship]] and had nine cars from five different manufacturers entered for Daytona.<ref name="ApexEntry" /> The [[BMW M8 GTE]] made its racing competition debut at the track and two chassis were entered by [[Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing|Team RLL]] for the whole season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bmwblog.com/2018/01/23/bmw-m8-gte-gets-ready-upcoming-daytona-debut/|title=BMW M8 GTE gets ready for its upcoming Daytona debut|last=DeMattia|first=Nico|date=January 23, 2018|publisher=BMW Blog|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref> [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] fielded a pair of [[Porsche 911|911 RSRs]] for the second successive season and [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] entered their two [[Ford GT|Ford GTs]] for the third consecutive year.<ref name="DriveEntry">{{cite web|last=Jacobs|first=Caleb|title=IMSA Announces Official 50-Car Field for 2018 Rolex 24 at Daytona|url=http://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/17873/imsa-announces-official-50-car-field-for-2018-rolex-24-at-daytona|publisher=The Drive|date=January 22, 2018|accessdate=March 24, 2018}}</ref>  [[Ferrari]] once again aligned with [[Risi Competizione]] for one [[Ferrari 488|488 GTE]],<ref name="DriveEntry" /> while [[Pratt & Miller|Corvette Racing]] transported their aging duo of [[Chevrolet Corvette C7.R|C7.Rs]] to the event once again.<ref name="TSEntry" /> GTD comprised twenty-one cars amongst eight [[Group GT3|GT3]] manufacturers.<ref name="AutoweekEntry" /> Ferrari was the most represented marque in the category with four 488s: two by [[Scuderia Corsa]] and one each from [[AF Corse|Spirit of Race]] and Risi Competizione.<ref name="ApexEntry" /><ref name="TSEntry" /> The rest of the GTD field was made of a mix of teams and automotive brands, including two Grasser Racing Team entered [[Lamborghini Huracán|Lamborghini Huracáns]] with a third by [[Paul Miller Racing]], a trio of [[Riley Technologies|Riley Motorsports]] entered [[Mercedes-AMG GT#Motorsport|Mercedes-AMGs]], three [[Honda NSX (second generation)|Acura NSXs]] utilised by [[Michael Shank|Michael Shank Racing]] and [[American Honda Motor Company|HART]] and three [[Porsche 911 GT3#991 GT3 R|Porsche 911 Rs]] with one each from Park Place Motorsports, Wright Motorsports and [[Olaf Manthey|Manthey Racing]]. Other cars fielded were a duo of [[Audi R8#Second generation (2015–present)|Audi R8 LMS]] from [[Magnus Racing]] and Montaplast and two [[Lexus RC#IMSA|Lexus RC F]]<nowiki/>s by [[3GT Racing]] with a sole [[BMW M6#M6 GT3|BMW M6]] entered by [[Turner Motorsport]].<ref name="FronstretchEntry" />
+After the retirement of the aging [[Le Mans Prototype Challenge|Prototype Challenge]] class at the end of 2017 due to declining interest from teams,<ref name="TSEntry">{{Cite web|url=https://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/rolex-24-hours-of-daytona-2018-preview-ar179439.html|title=The racing season is just around the corner|last=Fira|first=Mihai|date=22 January 2018|publisher=TopSpeed|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref> [[LM GTE|Grand Touring Le Mans]] (GTLM) was made the highest-ranking class below the Prototype category in the [[WeatherTech SportsCar Championship]] and had nine cars from five different manufacturers entered for Daytona.<ref name="ApexEntry" /> The [[BMW M8 GTE]] made its racing competition debut at the track and two chassis were entered by [[Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing|Team RLL]] for the whole season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bmwblog.com/2018/01/23/bmw-m8-gte-gets-ready-upcoming-daytona-debut/|title=BMW M8 GTE gets ready for its upcoming Daytona debut|last=DeMattia|first=Nico|date=January 23, 2018|publisher=BMW Blog|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125101259/http://www.bmwblog.com/2018/01/23/bmw-m8-gte-gets-ready-upcoming-daytona-debut/|archive-date=25 January 2018|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] fielded a pair of [[Porsche 911|911 RSRs]] for the second successive season and [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] entered their two [[Ford GT|Ford GTs]] for the third consecutive year.<ref name="DriveEntry">{{cite web|last=Jacobs|first=Caleb|title=IMSA Announces Official 50-Car Field for 2018 Rolex 24 at Daytona|url=http://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/17873/imsa-announces-official-50-car-field-for-2018-rolex-24-at-daytona|publisher=The Drive|date=January 22, 2018|accessdate=March 24, 2018|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612072441/http://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/17873/imsa-announces-official-50-car-field-for-2018-rolex-24-at-daytona|archivedate=12 June 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref>  [[Ferrari]] once again aligned with [[Risi Competizione]] for one [[Ferrari 488|488 GTE]],<ref name="DriveEntry" /> while [[Pratt & Miller|Corvette Racing]] transported their aging duo of [[Chevrolet Corvette C7.R|C7.Rs]] to the event once again.<ref name="TSEntry" /> GTD comprised twenty-one cars amongst eight [[Group GT3|GT3]] manufacturers.<ref name="AutoweekEntry" /> Ferrari was the most represented marque in the category with four 488s: two by [[Scuderia Corsa]] and one each from [[AF Corse|Spirit of Race]] and Risi Competizione.<ref name="ApexEntry" /><ref name="TSEntry" /> The rest of the GTD field was made of a mix of teams and automotive brands, including two Grasser Racing Team entered [[Lamborghini Huracán|Lamborghini Huracáns]] with a third by [[Paul Miller Racing]], a trio of [[Riley Technologies|Riley Motorsports]] entered [[Mercedes-AMG GT#Motorsport|Mercedes-AMGs]], three [[Honda NSX (second generation)|Acura NSXs]] utilised by [[Michael Shank|Michael Shank Racing]] and [[American Honda Motor Company|HART]] and three [[Porsche 911 GT3#991 GT3 R|Porsche 911 Rs]] with one each from Park Place Motorsports, Wright Motorsports and [[Olaf Manthey|Manthey Racing]]. Other cars fielded were a duo of [[Audi R8#Second generation (2015–present)|Audi R8 LMS]] from [[Magnus Racing]] and Montaplast and two [[Lexus RC#IMSA|Lexus RC F]]<nowiki/>s by [[3GT Racing]] with a sole [[BMW M6#M6 GT3|BMW M6]] entered by [[Turner Motorsport]].<ref name="FronstretchEntry" />
-Each car was driven by two drivers who contested the entire [[2018 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship|WeatherTech SportsCar Championship]], and with at least one additional racer signed for all four rounds of the North American Endurance Cup.<ref name=2018regs>{{Cite web|url=https://competitors.imsa.com/sites/default/files/reults/downlods/2018_imsa_sporting_regulations_and_ssr_iwsc_blackline_030818.pdf|title=2018 IMSA Sporting Regulations & Series Supplementary Regulations of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship|date=March 8, 2018|publisher=[[International Motor Sports Association]]|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref> These additional participants were recruited from a variety of racing categories, including the [[FIA World Endurance Championship]] (such as [[Simon Trummer]] for JDC-Miller Motorsports), the [[Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters]] (such as [[René Rast]] for Mazda Team Joest), and the [[IndyCar Series]] (such as [[Ryan Hunter-Reay]] for Wayne Taylor Racing) among others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imsa.com/news/012018/2018-team-team-prototype|title=2018 Team-By-Team: Prototype|date=January 3, 2018|publisher=International Motor Sports Association|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref> Some drivers were competing at Daytona on a one-off basis, such as two-time [[List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions|Formula One World Champion]] [[Fernando Alonso]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/41768709|title=Fernando Alonso: McLaren driver to compete in Daytona 24-hour race|last=Benson|first=Andrew|date=October 26, 2017|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref> [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]] driver [[Lance Stroll]] and [[Formula E]] racers [[Felix Rosenqvist]] and [[António Félix da Costa]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/da-costa-habsburg-join-dc-racing-for-daytona-990847/|title=Da Costa, Habsburg join DC Racing for Daytona|last=Khorounzhiy|first=Valentin|date=December 24, 2017|publisher=motorsport.com|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref> Also entering were [[A. J. Allmendinger]], [[Justin Marks]], [[Brendan Gaughan]] and [[Austin Cindric]] from [[NASCAR]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/22227927/tradition-experience-drivers-formula-one-indycar-nascar-returning-race-rolex-24|title=Coolness factor, Daytona charm keep drivers interested in Rolex 24|last=Pockrass|first=Bob|date=January 27, 2018|publisher=[[ESPN]]|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> and [[2017 FIA Formula 3 European Championship|2017 Formula Three European Champion]] [[Lando Norris]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.scmp.com/sport/motorsport/article/2119423/formula-one-testing-first-young-gun-lando-norris-then-desperate|title=Formula One testing first for young gun Lando Norris, then a desperate dash across the globe to the Macau Grand Prix|last=Scott|first=Matthew|date=November 11, 2017|work=[[South China Morning Post]]|access-date=March 25, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no}}</ref> The only exception to this applied to Stuart Middleton, who won the Sunoco Whelen Challenge by virtue of securing the [[GT4 European Series|GT4]] category title in his debut year in the [[2017 British GT Championship|British GT Championship]], earning him a seat with Action Express Racing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/145388-middleton-wins-sunoco-challenge-daytona-dpi-drive|title=Middleton wins Sunoco Challenge Daytona DPi drive|last=Pruett|first=Marshall|date=October 30, 2017|website=[[Racer (magazine)|Racer]]|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref>
+Each car was driven by two drivers who contested the entire [[2018 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship|WeatherTech SportsCar Championship]], and with at least one additional racer signed for all four rounds of the North American Endurance Cup.<ref name=2018regs>{{Cite web|url=https://competitors.imsa.com/sites/default/files/reults/downlods/2018_imsa_sporting_regulations_and_ssr_iwsc_blackline_030818.pdf|title=2018 IMSA Sporting Regulations & Series Supplementary Regulations of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship|date=March 8, 2018|publisher=[[International Motor Sports Association]]|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref> These additional participants were recruited from a variety of racing categories, including the [[FIA World Endurance Championship]] (such as [[Simon Trummer]] for JDC-Miller Motorsports), the [[Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters]] (such as [[René Rast]] for Mazda Team Joest), and the [[IndyCar Series]] (such as [[Ryan Hunter-Reay]] for Wayne Taylor Racing) among others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imsa.com/news/012018/2018-team-team-prototype|title=2018 Team-By-Team: Prototype|date=January 3, 2018|publisher=International Motor Sports Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104192605/https://www.imsa.com/news/012018/2018-team-team-prototype|archive-date=4 January 2018|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Some drivers were competing at Daytona on a one-off basis, such as two-time [[List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions|Formula One World Champion]] [[Fernando Alonso]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/41768709|title=Fernando Alonso: McLaren driver to compete in Daytona 24-hour race|last=Benson|first=Andrew|date=October 26, 2017|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327234607/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/41768709|archive-date=27 March 2018|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]] driver [[Lance Stroll]] and [[Formula E]] racers [[Felix Rosenqvist]] and [[António Félix da Costa]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/da-costa-habsburg-join-dc-racing-for-daytona-990847/|title=Da Costa, Habsburg join DC Racing for Daytona|last=Khorounzhiy|first=Valentin|date=December 24, 2017|publisher=motorsport.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612072441/https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/da-costa-habsburg-join-dc-racing-for-daytona-990847/|archive-date=12 June 2018|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Also entering were [[A. J. Allmendinger]], [[Justin Marks]], [[Brendan Gaughan]] and [[Austin Cindric]] from [[NASCAR]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/22227927/tradition-experience-drivers-formula-one-indycar-nascar-returning-race-rolex-24|title=Coolness factor, Daytona charm keep drivers interested in Rolex 24|last=Pockrass|first=Bob|date=January 27, 2018|publisher=[[ESPN]]|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> and [[2017 FIA Formula 3 European Championship|2017 Formula Three European Champion]] [[Lando Norris]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.scmp.com/sport/motorsport/article/2119423/formula-one-testing-first-young-gun-lando-norris-then-desperate|title=Formula One testing first for young gun Lando Norris, then a desperate dash across the globe to the Macau Grand Prix|last=Scott|first=Matthew|date=November 11, 2017|work=[[South China Morning Post]]|access-date=March 25, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no}}</ref> The only exception to this applied to Stuart Middleton, who won the Sunoco Whelen Challenge by virtue of securing the [[GT4 European Series|GT4]] category title in his debut year in the [[2017 British GT Championship|British GT Championship]], earning him a seat with Action Express Racing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/145388-middleton-wins-sunoco-challenge-daytona-dpi-drive|title=Middleton wins Sunoco Challenge Daytona DPi drive|last=Pruett|first=Marshall|date=October 30, 2017|website=[[Racer (magazine)|Racer]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119182847/http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/145388-middleton-wins-sunoco-challenge-daytona-dpi-drive|archive-date=19 November 2017|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
 ===Preview===
-The 24 Hours of Daytona was confirmed as part of the [[International Motor Sports Association]]'s (IMSA) schedule for the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship by series president Scott Atherton in August 2017.<ref name=2018IMSASchedule>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2017/08/06/imsa-announce-2018-calendar.html|title=IMSA Announce 2018 Calendar|last=Goodwin|first=Graham|date=August 6, 2017|website=|publisher=DailySportsCar|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref> It was the fifth consecutive year the race was held as part of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and the fifty-sixth 24 Hours of Daytona,<ref name="2018IMSASchedule" /> counting the period between 1962 and 2013 when it was a round of the [[World Sportscar Championship]], the [[IMSA GT Championship]], the [[United States Road Racing Championship]] and the [[Rolex Sports Car Series]].<ref name=RTR24History>{{Cite web|url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a17729/24-hours-of-daytona/|title=24 Hours of Daytona: A short history of a long race|last=Pose|first=Sam|date=December 7, 2011|website=[[Road & Track]]|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref><ref name=DTR24History>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/everything-to-know-daytona-24-hour/|title=Daytona 101: Everything you need to know about America’s 24-hour endurance race|last=Edelstein|first=Stephen|date=January 27, 2016|publisher=[[Digital Trends]]|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref> The 24 Hours of Daytona was the first of twelve scheduled sports car [[Endurance racing (motorsport)|endurance]] races of 2018 by IMSA, and served as the opening round of the four-race North American Endurance Cup.<ref name="2018IMSASchedule" /> The race was held at the twelve-turn {{Convert|3.56|mi|km|abbr=on}} [[Daytona International Speedway]] [[Oval track racing|combined road course]] in [[Daytona Beach, Florida]] on 27–28 January with two preceding days of practice and qualifying.<ref name=2018IMSASchedule/><ref name="RTR24History" />
+The 24 Hours of Daytona was confirmed as part of the [[International Motor Sports Association]]'s (IMSA) schedule for the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship by series president Scott Atherton in August 2017.<ref name=2018IMSASchedule>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2017/08/06/imsa-announce-2018-calendar.html|title=IMSA Announce 2018 Calendar|last=Goodwin|first=Graham|date=August 6, 2017|website=|publisher=DailySportsCar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612072441/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2017/08/06/imsa-announce-2018-calendar.html|archive-date=12 June 2018|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It was the fifth consecutive year the race was held as part of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and the fifty-sixth 24 Hours of Daytona,<ref name="2018IMSASchedule" /> counting the period between 1962 and 2013 when it was a round of the [[World Sportscar Championship]], the [[IMSA GT Championship]], the [[United States Road Racing Championship]] and the [[Rolex Sports Car Series]].<ref name=RTR24History>{{Cite web|url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a17729/24-hours-of-daytona/|title=24 Hours of Daytona: A short history of a long race|last=Pose|first=Sam|date=December 7, 2011|website=[[Road & Track]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003111712/http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a17729/24-hours-of-daytona/|archive-date=3 October 2015|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=DTR24History>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/everything-to-know-daytona-24-hour/|title=Daytona 101: Everything you need to know about America’s 24-hour endurance race|last=Edelstein|first=Stephen|date=January 27, 2016|publisher=[[Digital Trends]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610054608/http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/everything-to-know-daytona-24-hour/|archive-date=10 June 2016|dead-url=no|access-date=March 25, 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The 24 Hours of Daytona was the first of twelve scheduled sports car [[Endurance racing (motorsport)|endurance]] races of 2018 by IMSA, and served as the opening round of the four-race North American Endurance Cup.<ref name="2018IMSASchedule" /> The race was held at the twelve-turn {{Convert|3.56|mi|km|abbr=on}} [[Daytona International Speedway]] [[Oval track racing|combined road course]] in [[Daytona Beach, Florida]] on 27–28 January with two preceding days of practice and qualifying.<ref name=2018IMSASchedule/><ref name="RTR24History" />
 The 24 Hours of Daytona was conceived by [[NASCAR]] founder [[Bill France Sr.]] who built the Daytona International Speedway in 1959. He sought to attract sports car endurance racing from Europe to the United States as a means of providing international exposure to Daytona.<ref name=DTR24History/> The race was first run as a three-hour event in 1962 before doubling its length two years later. It switched to a twenty-four hour race format in 1966 and has remained that way since.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.news-journalonline.com/sports/20160124/50-years-ago-daytonas-first-24-hour-race-changed-the-history-of-sports-car-racing|title=50 years ago, Daytona’s first 24-hour race changed the history of sports-car racing|last=Willis|first=Ken|date=January 24, 2016|work=[[The Daytona Beach News-Journal]]|access-date=March 25, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no}}</ref> The 24 Hours of Daytona garnered the early reputation of being an American detour for European drivers. IMSA later began adopting its own car regulations starting from the 1980s when the race's popularity was at its peak and this caused the event to became isolated from the international motor racing scene in the 1990s.<ref name="DTR24History" /> Nevertheless, the 24 Hours of Daytona, along with the [[12 Hours of Sebring]] and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is informally considered part of the "Triple Crown of Endurance Racing".<ref name=RTR24History/>
@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 ===Post-testing balance of performance adjustments===
-After testing, IMSA adjusted the balance of performance for the second time in all categories. The Cadillac DPi-V.Rs had their fuel capacity enlarged by {{Convert|1|l||abbr=on}} along with their refuelling restrictors by {{Convert|0.5|l||abbr=on}} but their air restrictors were {{Convert|0.6|mm|in|abbr=on}}. The size of the fuel tanks in the Acura ARX-05 and the Nissan Onroak DPis were increased by {{Convert|4|l||abbr=on}} and {{Convert|2|l||abbr=on}} with the size of both car's fuel restrictors increased by {{Convert|1.5|mm|in|abbr=on}} and the latter's boost pressure was increased to peak at 7,100 rpm. The Mazda RT24-Ps were {{Convert|15|kg|lb|abbr=on}} lighter, its rev limit was raised to 8,600 rpm and its air restrictor was lengthened by {{Convert|0.5|mm|in|abbr=on}}. The Acura, Nissan and Mazda DPis [[Gurney flap|gurney flaps]] were adjusted for aerodynamic purposes.<ref name=RacerBOPPostTest>{{Cite web|url=http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/146836-imsa-sets-bop-tables-for-rolex-24-at-daytona|title=IMSA sets BoP tables for Rolex 24|last=Pruett|first=Marshall|date=January 18, 2018|website=Racer|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> All GTLM cars bar the Ferrari 488 GTE had the size of the their fuel tanks adjusted. The Chevrolet Corvette's C7.R's top speed was lowered through alterations of their rear wing angles by two degrees while the Ford GT's angles were increased by three degrees and the Porsche 911 RSRs fuel restrictors were reduced in size by {{Convert|1|mm|in|abbr=on}}. In GTD,  the Acura NSX GT3 lost {{Convert|10|kg|lb|abbr=on}} in weight and the Mercedes-AMG was made {{Convert|15|kg|lb|abbr=on}} heavier. Turbocharger adjustments were made to the Audi R8 LMS, Lamborghini Huracán, and the BMW M6 cars<ref name=RacerBOPPostTest/>
+After testing, IMSA adjusted the balance of performance for the second time in all categories. The Cadillac DPi-V.Rs had their fuel capacity enlarged by {{Convert|1|l||abbr=on}} along with their refuelling restrictors by {{Convert|0.5|l||abbr=on}} but their air restrictors were {{Convert|0.6|mm|in|abbr=on}}. The size of the fuel tanks in the Acura ARX-05 and the Nissan Onroak DPis were increased by {{Convert|4|l||abbr=on}} and {{Convert|2|l||abbr=on}} with the size of both car's fuel restrictors increased by {{Convert|1.5|mm|in|abbr=on}} and the latter's boost pressure was increased to peak at 7,100 rpm. The Mazda RT24-Ps were {{Convert|15|kg|lb|abbr=on}} lighter, its rev limit was raised to 8,600 rpm and its air restrictor was lengthened by {{Convert|0.5|mm|in|abbr=on}}. The Acura, Nissan and Mazda DPis [[Gurney flap|gurney flaps]] were adjusted for aerodynamic purposes.<ref name=RacerBOPPostTest>{{Cite web|url=http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/146836-imsa-sets-bop-tables-for-rolex-24-at-daytona|title=IMSA sets BoP tables for Rolex 24|last=Pruett|first=Marshall|date=January 18, 2018|website=Racer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312053934/http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/146836-imsa-sets-bop-tables-for-rolex-24-at-daytona|archive-date=12 March 2018|dead-url=no|access-date=March 26, 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> All GTLM cars bar the Ferrari 488 GTE had the size of the their fuel tanks adjusted. The Chevrolet Corvette's C7.R's top speed was lowered through alterations of their rear wing angles by two degrees while the Ford GT's angles were increased by three degrees and the Porsche 911 RSRs fuel restrictors were reduced in size by {{Convert|1|mm|in|abbr=on}}. In GTD,  the Acura NSX GT3 lost {{Convert|10|kg|lb|abbr=on}} in weight and the Mercedes-AMG was made {{Convert|15|kg|lb|abbr=on}} heavier. Turbocharger adjustments were made to the Audi R8 LMS, Lamborghini Huracán, and the BMW M6 cars<ref name=RacerBOPPostTest/>
 ==Practice and qualifying==
-Four practice sessions were held before the start of the race on Saturday, three on Thursday and one on Friday. The first two sessions held on Thursday morning and afternoon respectively lasted for an hour. The third held later that evening ran for ninety minutes, and the fourth on Friday morning lasted an hour.<ref name=DaytonaSchedule>{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/continental-tire-keys-to-the-race-rolex-24-4/|title=Continental Tire Keys to the Race: Rolex 24|last=Dagys|first=John|date=January 24, 2018|publisher=SportsCar365|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref>
+Four practice sessions were held before the start of the race on Saturday, three on Thursday and one on Friday. The first two sessions held on Thursday morning and afternoon respectively lasted for an hour. The third held later that evening ran for ninety minutes, and the fourth on Friday morning lasted an hour.<ref name=DaytonaSchedule>{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/continental-tire-keys-to-the-race-rolex-24-4/|title=Continental Tire Keys to the Race: Rolex 24|last=Dagys|first=John|date=January 24, 2018|publisher=SportsCar365|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420074838/http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/continental-tire-keys-to-the-race-rolex-24-4/|archive-date=20 April 2018|dead-url=no|access-date=March 26, 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
 Rast in the No. 77 Mazda Team Joest RT24-P set the fastest lap of the first practice session at one minutes and 37.428 seconds, 0.007 seconds faster than Spirit of Racing's No. 90 Cadillac of Vautier. Jordan Taylor put the No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac in third overall with Albuquerue placing the No. 5  Mustang Sampling Racing car in fourth. The highest-placed LMP2 car was Brundle's No. 78 Jackie Chan DCR JOTA entry in fifth place.<ref name=RacerFP1>{{Cite web|url=http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/146955-mazda-fastest-in-opening-rolex-24-practice|title=Mazda fastest in opening Rolex 24 practice|last=O'Malley|first=J. J.|date=January 25, 2018|website=Racer|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=January 26, 2018}}</ref> Early in the session, Phil Hanson was driving on cold tyres, and made an error that caused him to run into the turn five tire barrier, sustaining damage to the front of his No. 23 United Autosports Ligier JS P2 car.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2018/01/25/mazda-tops-opening-rolex-24-practice.html|title=Mazda Tops Opening Rolex 24 Practice|last=Kilbey|first=Stephen|date=January 25, 2018|publisher=DailySportsCar|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> Practice was [[Racing flags#Red flag|red-flagged]] for eight minutes and forty-nine seconds so that Hanson's car could be removed from the circuit.<ref name=RacerFP1/> In GTLM, the No. 66 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT of Hand topped the time sheets with a lap of one minute and 44.571 seconds. Per Guidi put the the No. 62 Risi Competizione’s Ferrari 488 GTE in second, and Vanthoor in Porsche's No. 912 911 RSR was third. [[Miguel Molina]]'s No. 82 Risi Competizione's Ferrari 488 GT3 was fastest in GTD, and [[Pedro Lamy]] set the second-fastest class lap in Spirit of Race's No. 51 entry.<ref name=RacerFP1/>
@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 [[File:Renger van der Zande 2016.png|thumb|upright|[[Renger van der Zande]] ''(pictured in 2016)'' took the overall [[pole position]] for [[Wayne Taylor Racing]]]]
-Thursday afternoon's qualifying session was divided into three groups and lasted for a total of seventy-five minutes.<ref name="DaytonaSchedule" /> GTD cars were sent onto the track first for fifteen minutes with a ten minute interval before those grouped in GTLM and Prototype ventured separately onto the circuit. Regulations stipulated that teams are required to nominate a single driver to qualify their respective vehicles and the starting order determined by the competitor's fastest lap times. IMSA then arranged the grid so that the Prototype and GTLM entrants would begin the race ahead of the GTD field.<ref name="2018regs" /> Van Der Zande in the No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing car clinched the third [[pole position]] of his career. and his team's first at Daytona since [[Max Angelelli]] in the [[2010 24 Hours of Daytona|2010 race]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autoracing1.com/article.asp?id=17773|title=Van der Zande nips Castroneves for Rolex 24 pole|date=January 25, 2018|publisher=AutoRacing1|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref> on his final lap of the session with a time of one minute and 36.083 seconds in spite of running deep at turn five after braking later than usual.<ref name="AutosportQuali">{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/134057/van-der-zande-takes-daytona-pole-alonso-13th|title=Daytona 24 Hours: Van der Zande on pole, Fernando Alonso 13th|last=Watkins|first=Gary|date=January 25, 2018|website=Autosport|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> He was joined on the front row of the [[Glossary of motorsport terms#G|grid]] by the No. 7 Penske Racing Acura ARX-05 of Castroneves which had the pole position for the closing minutes of qualifying until van der Zande's lap. On his final timed lap, Albuquerue qualified the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac in third place, and [[Patricio O'Ward]] took fourth in the No. 38 Performance Tech Racing Oreca 07 to become the highest-placed LMP2 car in the field.<ref name="DSCQuali">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2018/01/25/van-der-zande-storms-to-pole-at-daytona.html|title=Van Der Zande Storms To Pole At Daytona|last=Goodwin|first=Graham|last2=Kilbey|first2=Stephen|date=January 25, 2018|publisher=DailySportsCar|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> Early pace setter Vautier in the No. 90 Spirit of Racing car ended up fifth while [[Robin Frijns]]' No. 78 Jackie Chan DCR JOTA entry secured sixth.<ref name="AutosportQuali" /> Nasr was driving faster but stopped on the track with an electrical fault and was restricted to seventh.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R on Pole for Rolex 24 At Daytona|date=January 25, 2018|publisher=[[General Motors]]|url=http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2018/jan/cadillac-racing/0125-rolex.html|last=Kyle|first=Chura|access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref> Braun qualified the No. 54 CORE Autosport car eighth, Bomarito in the No. 55 Mazda Team Joest RT24-P ninth, and Cameron's No. 6 Penske Racing vehicle rounded out the top ten.<ref name="Starting grid">{{cite web|url=http://results.imsa.com/Results/18_2018/03_Daytona%20International%20Speedway/01_IMSA%20WeatherTech%20SportsCar%20Championship/201801271440_Race/00_Starting%20Grid%20-%20Official.PDF|title=Race Official Starting Grid|date=27 January 2018|publisher=International Motor Sports Association|format=PDF|accessdate=29 January 2018}}</ref> Lapierre was unable to set a lap time in the No. 22 Extreme Speed Motorsports car after locking his brakes on his first timed lap, and drove into the tyre barriers at the West Horseshoe, damaging its front-left [[Suspension (vehicle)|suspension]].<ref name="AutosportQuali" /><ref name="S365PQuali">{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/van-der-zande-steals-pole-for-rolex-24/|title=Van der Zande Steals Pole for Rolex 24|last=Dagys|first=John|date=January 25, 2018|website=|publisher=SportsCar365|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> Extreme Speed Motorsports' No. 2 entry did not participate due to a precautionary engine switch,<ref name="DSCQuali" /> and Mazda Team Joest's No. 77 car was absent because a data irregularity was discovered prior to qualifying.<ref name="S365PQuali" />
+Thursday afternoon's qualifying session was divided into three groups and lasted for a total of seventy-five minutes.<ref name="DaytonaSchedule" /> GTD cars were sent onto the track first for fifteen minutes with a ten minute interval before those grouped in GTLM and Prototype ventured separately onto the circuit. Regulations stipulated that teams are required to nominate a single driver to qualify their respective vehicles and the starting order determined by the competitor's fastest lap times. IMSA then arranged the grid so that the Prototype and GTLM entrants would begin the race ahead of the GTD field.<ref name="2018regs" /> Van Der Zande in the No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing car clinched the third [[pole position]] of his career. and his team's first at Daytona since [[Max Angelelli]] in the [[2010 24 Hours of Daytona|2010 race]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autoracing1.com/article.asp?id=17773|title=Van der Zande nips Castroneves for Rolex 24 pole|date=January 25, 2018|publisher=AutoRacing1|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref> on his final lap of the session with a time of one minute and 36.083 seconds in spite of running deep at turn five after braking later than usual.<ref name="AutosportQuali">{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/134057/van-der-zande-takes-daytona-pole-alonso-13th|title=Daytona 24 Hours: Van der Zande on pole, Fernando Alonso 13th|last=Watkins|first=Gary|date=January 25, 2018|website=Autosport|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> He was joined on the front row of the [[Glossary of motorsport terms#G|grid]] by the No. 7 Penske Racing Acura ARX-05 of Castroneves which had the pole position for the closing minutes of qualifying until van der Zande's lap. On his final timed lap, Albuquerue qualified the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac in third place, and [[Patricio O'Ward]] took fourth in the No. 38 Performance Tech Racing Oreca 07 to become the highest-placed LMP2 car in the field.<ref name="DSCQuali">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2018/01/25/van-der-zande-storms-to-pole-at-daytona.html|title=Van Der Zande Storms To Pole At Daytona|last=Goodwin|first=Graham|last2=Kilbey|first2=Stephen|date=January 25, 2018|publisher=DailySportsCar|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> Early pace setter Vautier in the No. 90 Spirit of Racing car ended up fifth while [[Robin Frijns]]' No. 78 Jackie Chan DCR JOTA entry secured sixth.<ref name="AutosportQuali" /> Nasr was driving faster but stopped on the track with an electrical fault and was restricted to seventh.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R on Pole for Rolex 24 At Daytona|date=January 25, 2018|publisher=[[General Motors]]|url=http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2018/jan/cadillac-racing/0125-rolex.html|last=Kyle|first=Chura|access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref> Braun qualified the No. 54 CORE Autosport car eighth, Bomarito in the No. 55 Mazda Team Joest RT24-P ninth, and Cameron's No. 6 Penske Racing vehicle rounded out the top ten.<ref name="Starting grid">{{cite web|url=http://results.imsa.com/Results/18_2018/03_Daytona%20International%20Speedway/01_IMSA%20WeatherTech%20SportsCar%20Championship/201801271440_Race/00_Starting%20Grid%20-%20Official.PDF|title=Race Official Starting Grid|date=27 January 2018|publisher=International Motor Sports Association|format=PDF|accessdate=29 January 2018|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129141501/http://results.imsa.com/Results/18_2018/03_Daytona%20International%20Speedway/01_IMSA%20WeatherTech%20SportsCar%20Championship/201801271440_Race/00_Starting%20Grid%20-%20Official.PDF|archivedate=29 January 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Lapierre was unable to set a lap time in the No. 22 Extreme Speed Motorsports car after locking his brakes on his first timed lap, and drove into the tyre barriers at the West Horseshoe, damaging its front-left [[Suspension (vehicle)|suspension]].<ref name="AutosportQuali" /><ref name="S365PQuali">{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/van-der-zande-steals-pole-for-rolex-24/|title=Van der Zande Steals Pole for Rolex 24|last=Dagys|first=John|date=January 25, 2018|website=|publisher=SportsCar365|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> Extreme Speed Motorsports' No. 2 entry did not participate due to a precautionary engine switch,<ref name="DSCQuali" /> and Mazda Team Joest's No. 77 car was absent because a data irregularity was discovered prior to qualifying.<ref name="S365PQuali" />
 [[File:Jan Magnussen cropped.jpg|left|thumb|upright|[[Jan Magnussen]] ''(pictured in 2009)'' claimed pole position in the GTLM class for [[Pratt & Miller|Corvette Racing]].]]
-In GTLM, Magnussen's No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R [[Drafting (aerodynamics)|drafted]] his teammate Gavin in the sister car and took his fourth class pole position in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and suppressed Hand's 2017 lap record with a time of one minute and 42.779 seconds. Magnussen was 0.019 seconds faster than the second-placed qualifier Hand in the No. 66 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT, and following in third place was the No. 912 Porsche 911 RSR of Vanthoor, with the sister No. 911 car driven by Pilet taking fourth position.<ref name=AutoweekGTQuali>{{Cite web|url=http://autoweek.com/article/rolex-24-hours/corvette-ferrari-capture-imsa-rolex-24-gt-class-poles|title=Ford, Ferrari capture GT class poles for Rolex 24 at Daytona|last=IMSA Wire Service|date=January 25, 2018|website=Autoweek|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 29, 2018}}</ref> Westbrook completed the top five class competitors in the slower of the two Ford GTs.<ref name="DSCQuali" /> [[Daniel Serra]] in the No. 51 Spirit of Race Ferrari 488 GT3 was the first driver to record a GTD lap time in the one minute and 46 second range midway through the session,<ref name="DSCQuali" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/magnussen-secures-gtlm-pole-for-corvette/|title=Magnussen Secures GTLM Pole for Corvette|last=Kilshaw|first=Jake|date=January 25, 2018|publisher=SportsCar365|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 29, 2018}}</ref> and this secured him his second pole position of his career, and in any class since the [[2016 Monterey Grand Prix]] with a one minute and 46.407 seconds lap. Molina made it an all-Ferrari category front row in the No. 82 Risi Competizione entry.<ref name=AutoweekGTQuali/> The No. 11 Grasser Team Racing Lamborghini Huracán of [[Mirko Bortolotti]] was the third-fastest class qualifier, but the car was demoted to the rear of the GTD field as it failed a mandatory [[Stall (engine)|stall]] test in post-qualifying technical inspection. Hence, [[Jack Hawksworth]] inherited third in the No. 15 3GT Racing Lexus RC F GT3,<ref name=AutoweekGTQuali/> [[Alessandro Balzan]]'s No.  63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3 started fourth, and Dominik Baumann's slower Lexus rounded out the top five.<ref name="DSCQuali" /> Two GTD cars failed to record a lap time: The No. 73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 R's [[Flat tire|tire punctured]] while on its [[Glossary of motorsport terms#O|out lap]], and P1 Motorsport's No. 73 Mercedes-AMG GT3 had brake problems.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-thursday-notebook-6/|title=Daytona Thursday Notebook|last=Dagys|first=John|last2=Kilshaw|first2=Jake|date=January 25, 2018|website=|publisher=SportsCar365|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 29, 2018|last3=Myrehn|first3=Ryan}}</ref>
+In GTLM, Magnussen's No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R [[Drafting (aerodynamics)|drafted]] his teammate Gavin in the sister car and took his fourth class pole position in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and suppressed Hand's 2017 lap record with a time of one minute and 42.779 seconds. Magnussen was 0.019 seconds faster than the second-placed qualifier Hand in the No. 66 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT, and following in third place was the No. 912 Porsche 911 RSR of Vanthoor, with the sister No. 911 car driven by Pilet taking fourth position.<ref name=AutoweekGTQuali>{{Cite web|url=http://autoweek.com/article/rolex-24-hours/corvette-ferrari-capture-imsa-rolex-24-gt-class-poles|title=Ford, Ferrari capture GT class poles for Rolex 24 at Daytona|last=IMSA Wire Service|date=January 25, 2018|website=Autoweek|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127103215/http://autoweek.com/article/rolex-24-hours/corvette-ferrari-capture-imsa-rolex-24-gt-class-poles|archive-date=27 January 2018|dead-url=no|access-date=March 29, 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Westbrook completed the top five class competitors in the slower of the two Ford GTs.<ref name="DSCQuali" /> [[Daniel Serra]] in the No. 51 Spirit of Race Ferrari 488 GT3 was the first driver to record a GTD lap time in the one minute and 46 second range midway through the session,<ref name="DSCQuali" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/magnussen-secures-gtlm-pole-for-corvette/|title=Magnussen Secures GTLM Pole for Corvette|last=Kilshaw|first=Jake|date=January 25, 2018|publisher=SportsCar365|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 29, 2018}}</ref> and this secured him his second pole position of his career, and in any class since the [[2016 Monterey Grand Prix]] with a one minute and 46.407 seconds lap. Molina made it an all-Ferrari category front row in the No. 82 Risi Competizione entry.<ref name=AutoweekGTQuali/> The No. 11 Grasser Team Racing Lamborghini Huracán of [[Mirko Bortolotti]] was the third-fastest class qualifier, but the car was demoted to the rear of the GTD field as it failed a mandatory [[Stall (engine)|stall]] test in post-qualifying technical inspection. Hence, [[Jack Hawksworth]] inherited third in the No. 15 3GT Racing Lexus RC F GT3,<ref name=AutoweekGTQuali/> [[Alessandro Balzan]]'s No.  63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3 started fourth, and Dominik Baumann's slower Lexus rounded out the top five.<ref name="DSCQuali" /> Two GTD cars failed to record a lap time: The No. 73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 R's [[Flat tire|tire punctured]] while on its [[Glossary of motorsport terms#O|out lap]], and P1 Motorsport's No. 73 Mercedes-AMG GT3 had brake problems.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-thursday-notebook-6/|title=Daytona Thursday Notebook|last=Dagys|first=John|last2=Kilshaw|first2=Jake|date=January 25, 2018|website=|publisher=SportsCar365|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301152422/http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-thursday-notebook-6/|archive-date=1 March 2018|dead-url=no|access-date=March 29, 2018|last3=Myrehn|first3=Ryan|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
-The third practice session was run at night and had Vautier's No. 90 Spirit of Race car set the fastest overall lap of one minute and 37.210 seconds. Castroneves was almost two-tenths of a second behind in second, with the No. 22 Extreme Speed Motorsports entry of [[Pipo Derani]] in third. [[Harry Tincknell]] in the No. 55 Mazda Team Joest RT24-P placed fourth in the time sheets, and Norris' No. 23 United Autosports car was running quicker and completed the top five.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.endurance-info.com/fr/24h-daytona-libres-3-tristan-vautier-cadillac-le-plus-vite-dans-la-nuit/|title=24H Daytona, Libres 3 : Tristan Vautier (Cadillac) le plus vite dans la nuit|last=Mercier|first=Laurent|date=January 26, 2018|website=|publisher=Endurance-Info|language=French|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 29, 2018}}</ref> Kyle Masson caused the first stoppage of the session when his No. 38 Performance Tech Motorsports Oreca 07 ran out of fuel on track, and required recovery back to the pit lane. Later, [[Gustavo Menezes]]' No. 99 JDC-Miller Motorsports car blew its right-rear tire entering Speedway turn two at high-speed, but controlled his car throughout and avoided hitting the wall, although this stopped practice for twelve minutes.<ref name=RacerFP3>{{Cite web|url=http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/146979-vautier-cadillac-lead-rolex-night-practice|title=Vautier, Cadillac lead Rolex night practice|last=O'Malley|first=J. J.|date=January 25, 2018|website=Racer|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 29, 2018}}</ref> Ford GTs took the first two placings in GTLM with the No. 66 car of Bourdais faster than the sister No. 67 entry of Westbrook by two-tenths of a second. GTD was led by Bortolotti's No. 11 Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini Huracán, and [[Sam Bird]], driving the No. 64 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3, was second in class.<ref name=RacerFP3/>
+The third practice session was run at night and had Vautier's No. 90 Spirit of Race car set the fastest overall lap of one minute and 37.210 seconds. Castroneves was almost two-tenths of a second behind in second, with the No. 22 Extreme Speed Motorsports entry of [[Pipo Derani]] in third. [[Harry Tincknell]] in the No. 55 Mazda Team Joest RT24-P placed fourth in the time sheets, and Norris' No. 23 United Autosports car was running quicker and completed the top five.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.endurance-info.com/fr/24h-daytona-libres-3-tristan-vautier-cadillac-le-plus-vite-dans-la-nuit/|title=24H Daytona, Libres 3 : Tristan Vautier (Cadillac) le plus vite dans la nuit|last=Mercier|first=Laurent|date=January 26, 2018|website=|publisher=Endurance-Info|language=French|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127034657/http://www.endurance-info.com/fr/24h-daytona-libres-3-tristan-vautier-cadillac-le-plus-vite-dans-la-nuit/|archive-date=27 January 2018|dead-url=no|access-date=March 29, 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Kyle Masson caused the first stoppage of the session when his No. 38 Performance Tech Motorsports Oreca 07 ran out of fuel on track, and required recovery back to the pit lane. Later, [[Gustavo Menezes]]' No. 99 JDC-Miller Motorsports car blew its right-rear tire entering Speedway turn two at high-speed, but controlled his car throughout and avoided hitting the wall, although this stopped practice for twelve minutes.<ref name=RacerFP3>{{Cite web|url=http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/146979-vautier-cadillac-lead-rolex-night-practice|title=Vautier, Cadillac lead Rolex night practice|last=O'Malley|first=J. J.|date=January 25, 2018|website=Racer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126062403/http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/146979-vautier-cadillac-lead-rolex-night-practice|archive-date=26 January 2018|dead-url=no|access-date=March 29, 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Ford GTs took the first two placings in GTLM with the No. 66 car of Bourdais faster than the sister No. 67 entry of Westbrook by two-tenths of a second. GTD was led by Bortolotti's No. 11 Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini Huracán, and [[Sam Bird]], driving the No. 64 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3, was second in class.<ref name=RacerFP3/>
-[[Mike Conway]] led the final practice session in the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Racing entry with a time of one minute and 36.865 seconds, and Stroll's No. 37 Jackie Chan DCR JOTA car was second-fastest. The No. 90 Spirit of Race Cadillac driven by Vautier set the third-quickest lap, and Rast's No. 77 Mazda Team Joest car, along with Albuquerque's No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing entry completed the top five overall runners.<ref name=MComFP4>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/rolex-24-final-practice-conway-leads-stroll-999353/|title=Rolex 24: Conway edges Stroll to top final practice|last=Klein|first=Jamie|date=January 26, 2018|publisher=motorsport.com|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 29, 2018}}</ref> The session passed relatively peacefully, although the right-rear tire on the No. 32 United Autosports vehicle driven by [[Bruno Senna]] blew while circulating the track.<ref name=MComFP4/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2018/01/26/whelen-cadillac-leads-final-rolex-24-practice.html|title=Whelen Cadillac Leads Final Rolex 24 Practice|last=Kilbey|first=Stephen|date=January 26, 2018|publisher=DailySportsCar|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 29, 2018}}</ref> In GTLM, Hand once again went fastest in the class with a lap of one minute and 44.602 seconds. Bruni was second-fastest in the No. 912 Porsche 911 RSR, and his teammate Pilet placed third in the sister No. 911 Porsche. Cairoli set the fastest time in GTD, and was followed by [[Jeroen Bleekemolen]] in the No. 33 Riley Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 car.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/146988-conway-fastest-in-final-rolex-24-practice|title=Conway fastest in final Rolex 24 practice|last=O'Malley|first=J. J.|date=January 26, 2018|website=Racer|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 29, 2018}}</ref>
+[[Mike Conway]] led the final practice session in the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Racing entry with a time of one minute and 36.865 seconds, and Stroll's No. 37 Jackie Chan DCR JOTA car was second-fastest. The No. 90 Spirit of Race Cadillac driven by Vautier set the third-quickest lap, and Rast's No. 77 Mazda Team Joest car, along with Albuquerque's No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing entry completed the top five overall runners.<ref name=MComFP4>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/rolex-24-final-practice-conway-leads-stroll-999353/|title=Rolex 24: Conway edges Stroll to top final practice|last=Klein|first=Jamie|date=January 26, 2018|publisher=motorsport.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512001838/https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/rolex-24-final-practice-conway-leads-stroll-999353/|archive-date=12 May 2018|dead-url=no|access-date=March 29, 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The session passed relatively peacefully, although the right-rear tire on the No. 32 United Autosports vehicle driven by [[Bruno Senna]] blew while circulating the track.<ref name=MComFP4/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2018/01/26/whelen-cadillac-leads-final-rolex-24-practice.html|title=Whelen Cadillac Leads Final Rolex 24 Practice|last=Kilbey|first=Stephen|date=January 26, 2018|publisher=DailySportsCar|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 29, 2018}}</ref> In GTLM, Hand once again went fastest in the class with a lap of one minute and 44.602 seconds. Bruni was second-fastest in the No. 912 Porsche 911 RSR, and his teammate Pilet placed third in the sister No. 911 Porsche. Cairoli set the fastest time in GTD, and was followed by [[Jeroen Bleekemolen]] in the No. 33 Riley Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 car.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/146988-conway-fastest-in-final-rolex-24-practice|title=Conway fastest in final Rolex 24 practice|last=O'Malley|first=J. J.|date=January 26, 2018|website=Racer|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=March 29, 2018}}</ref>
 ===Pre-race===
-[[Ricky Taylor]], co-driver of the No. 6 Penske entry, checked himself into practical quarantine because he had been suffering from flu for the past three days. He was consequently prescribed [[Oseltamivir]], and advised not to come into contact with his teammates.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/27/ricky-taylor-bounces-back-from-bout-with-flu-to-ra/|title=Ricky Taylor bounces back from bout with flu to race Rolex|last=Fryer|first=Jenna|date=January 27, 2018|work=[[The Washington Times]]|access-date=April 13, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Meanwhile, [[Tomy Drissi]] was required to withdraw from the race due to business commitments, leaving the No. 20 BAR1 Motorsports Riley Mk. 30 car to operate as a four-person entry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-friday-notebook-7/|title=Daytona Friday Notebook|last=Dagys|first=John|date=January 26, 2018|publisher=SportsCar365|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> The No. 2 Extreme Speed Motorsports, the No. 71 P1 Motorsports Mercedes-AMG, and the No. 77 Mazda entries were sent to the rear of their respective class fields because their teams had changed their respective starting drivers.  Although Paul Miller Racing and Mazda changed engines in their respective cars (the No. 48 Lamborghini and the No. 77 RT24-P), they were not demoted any places on the grid since the race lasted for more than six hours.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-pre-race-notebook-5/|title=Daytona Pre-Race Notebook|last=Dagys|first=John|date=January 27, 2018|publisher=SportsCar365|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref>
+[[Ricky Taylor]], co-driver of the No. 6 Penske entry, checked himself into practical quarantine because he had been suffering from flu for the past three days. He was consequently prescribed [[Oseltamivir]], and advised not to come into contact with his teammates.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/27/ricky-taylor-bounces-back-from-bout-with-flu-to-ra/|title=Ricky Taylor bounces back from bout with flu to race Rolex|last=Fryer|first=Jenna|date=January 27, 2018|work=[[The Washington Times]]|access-date=April 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130043806/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/27/ricky-taylor-bounces-back-from-bout-with-flu-to-ra/|archive-date=30 January 2018|dead-url=no|agency=Associated Press|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Meanwhile, [[Tomy Drissi]] was required to withdraw from the race due to business commitments, leaving the No. 20 BAR1 Motorsports Riley Mk. 30 car to operate as a four-person entry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-friday-notebook-7/|title=Daytona Friday Notebook|last=Dagys|first=John|date=January 26, 2018|publisher=SportsCar365|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> The No. 2 Extreme Speed Motorsports, the No. 71 P1 Motorsports Mercedes-AMG, and the No. 77 Mazda entries were sent to the rear of their respective class fields because their teams had changed their respective starting drivers.  Although Paul Miller Racing and Mazda changed engines in their respective cars (the No. 48 Lamborghini and the No. 77 RT24-P), they were not demoted any places on the grid since the race lasted for more than six hours.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-pre-race-notebook-5/|title=Daytona Pre-Race Notebook|last=Dagys|first=John|date=January 27, 2018|publisher=SportsCar365|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=no|access-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref>
 ===Qualifying results===
@@ Line 522: / Line 522: @@
 ==Race==
 ===Results===
-Class winners are denoted in '''bold'''.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://results.imsa.com/Results/18_2018/03_Daytona%20International%20Speedway/01_IMSA%20WeatherTech%20SportsCar%20Championship/201801271440_Race/24_Hour%2024/03_Results%20-%20Provisional.PDF | title = 2018 24 Hours of Daytona - Race Provisional Results | publisher = [[International Motor Sports Association]] | format = PDF | date = 28 January 2018 | accessdate = 29 January 2018}}</ref>
+Class winners are denoted in '''bold'''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://results.imsa.com/Results/18_2018/03_Daytona%20International%20Speedway/01_IMSA%20WeatherTech%20SportsCar%20Championship/201801271440_Race/24_Hour%2024/03_Results%20-%20Provisional.PDF | title = 2018 24 Hours of Daytona - Race Provisional Results | publisher = [[International Motor Sports Association]] | format = PDF | date = 28 January 2018 | accessdate = 29 January 2018 | deadurl = no | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20180129141613/http://results.imsa.com/Results/18_2018/03_Daytona%20International%20Speedway/01_IMSA%20WeatherTech%20SportsCar%20Championship/201801271440_Race/24_Hour%2024/03_Results%20-%20Provisional.PDF | archivedate = 29 January 2018 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>
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