DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Connor Zilisch’s Rolex 24 at Daytona ended just one spot shy of the top step, and that felt about right for a race that delivered everything but mercy.
Zilisch and the Whelen Cadillac No. 31 team finished second in the GTP class and second overall Sunday, battling through attrition, strategy swings and a race-altering six-and-a-half-hour caution period in IMSA’s 2026 season opener at Daytona International Speedway.
The 19-year-old Zilisch ran two stints for the WHELEN No. 31 entry, holding his own in traffic and helping keep the Cadillac firmly in contention during the middle portion of the race. When the final hours arrived, it was veteran Jack Aitken who put the No. 31 squarely in the fight, charging through the field after the long yellow compressed the pack and turned the final stretch into a high-speed chess match.
Aitken closed rapidly in the final minutes but ran out of time — and track position — as Porsche Penske Motorsport struck again. Felipe Nasr delivered a composed, relentless closing drive to secure yet another Rolex 24 victory for the Porsche 963 program, fending off the Cadillac’s late surge to seal the win.
The margins were razor-thin, the pace relentless and the execution nearly flawless across the GTP field, a sign that IMSA’s top class remains as deep and competitive as ever. Cadillac showed race-winning speed, particularly in long green-flag runs, while Porsche once again proved lethal when it mattered most.
For Zilisch, the result added another strong endurance showing to a rapidly expanding résumé. Sharing the car with proven winners and contributing clean, efficient stints in one of the world’s toughest races, the young American left Daytona with silver — and plenty of momentum.
Twenty-four hours, countless lead changes and one unforgettable finish later, IMSA’s biggest race delivered again. If this is how 2026 starts, buckle up.
Zilisch returns to the track this weekend at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
It’s race car season, folks.
Check out all EasySportz NHL Content Here
College Football Viewing Guide
