Rolex 24 at Daytona Recap Fast Facts:
- The overall Rolex 24 victory was captured by the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R. co-driven by Joao Barbosa, Filipe Albuquerque and Christian Fittipaldi.
- Chip Ganassi Racing topped the podium in GTLM with the No.67 Ford GT driven by Ryan Briscoe, Scott Dixon and Richard Westbrook. Ford captured a one-two finish also putting the No.66 Ford GT on the podium.
- GT Daytona class honors went to the No.11 Grasser Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 piloted by Mirko Bortolotti, Franck Perera, Rolf Ineichen and Rik Breukers. This was Lamborghini’s first class victory in a 24 hour race.
- 2018 marked a new record of 808 total laps at the Rolex 24, adding up to 2,876.48 miles.
- Scott Pruett finished his final professional race of his 50-year career P9 in the Lexus RC-F in GTD.
- Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watches were awarded to the winning drivers of each class by President and CEO of Rolex Watch USA, Stewart Wicht.
ROLEX AND DAYTONA
Rolex’s connection to Daytona harks back to an even earlier time when Daytona Beach was considered the capital of land speed records in the early 20th century. The long, flat and very firm Daytona Beach played host to 14 land speed records in the early part of the 20th century – five of which were set by Sir Malcolm Campbell, including the fastest official record there of 276mph in 1935 at the wheel of his mighty Bluebird with a Rolex on his wrist. In 1992 Rolex formalized this long-standing association with Daytona and the Speedway becoming the Official Timepiece and Title Sponsor of the 24-hour Daytona classic, further strengthening the link between the race and the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona watch. After 26 years, the brand is now so closely tied to the event that motor sport aficionados simply refer to it as “The Rolex”.
