DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — With the 64th Rolex 24 at Daytona set to roar to life Jan. 24–25 at Daytona International Speedway, the 2026 IMSA season opener is once again doing what it does best: throwing drivers from every corner of motorsports into the same sandbox and telling them to share for 24 hours.
A full field across four classes features familiar faces from NASCAR, IndyCar and international open-wheel racing — all converging on Daytona for the ultimate test of speed, traffic management and not making enemies at 3 a.m.
Here’s a breakdown of the crossover drivers competing this year, grouped by where most fans know them from.
NASCAR Drivers (Yes, They Turn Both Ways)
- Connor Zilisch — No. 31 Cadillac V-Series.R, Cadillac Whelen/Action Express Racing (GTP)
The teenage phenom continues his rapid ascent, jumping into top-class prototype machinery.
Known for making everything he drives look easy — which usually means he’s terrifyingly fast. - A.J. Allmendinger — No. 60 Acura ARX-06, Meyer Shank Racing (GTP)
A road-course ace and past Rolex 24 winner.
When the track gets slick and the racing gets weird, this is exactly the guy you want in the car.
IndyCar Drivers (Downforce Is Their Love Language)
- Scott Dixon — No. 60 Acura ARX-06, Meyer Shank Racing (GTP)
Six-time IndyCar champion, human metronome, and professional fuel-saving wizard.
If there’s a way to win without anyone understanding how he did it, Dixon will find it. - Alex Palou — No. 93 Acura ARX-06, Meyer Shank Racing (GTP)
One of the smoothest drivers on the planet.
Effortless speed, ruthless consistency and zero wasted steering input — basically a prototype cheat code.
Former F1 / Current F2 / International Drivers (Passport Required)
- Kevin Magnussen — No. 25 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team WRT (GTP)
Former Formula 1 driver who brings aggression, experience and absolutely zero fear of traffic.
If there’s a gap, he’s taking it — even if it technically doesn’t exist yet. - Logan Sargeant — No. 18 Era Motorsport ORECA LMP2
Another former F1 driver making his endurance racing climb.
Daytona traffic will test patience just as much as raw pace — welcome to prototype school. - Colton Herta — No. 40 Cadillac V-Series.R, Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing (GTP)
Current F2 driver and former IndyCar standout.
Herta’s résumé screams versatility — fast on road courses, comfortable in traffic, and now unleashed in a Cadillac prototype where horsepower solves most problems.
Why This Driver Mix Rules
This is why the Rolex 24 works so well every year:
- NASCAR drivers prove they can brake without ABS… repeatedly.
- IndyCar drivers rediscover what mirrors are for.
- Open-wheel stars learn that traffic isn’t a phase — it’s a lifestyle.
All of it unfolds on the high banks of Daytona, where patience matters as much as outright speed and the winning move is often made while everyone else is asleep.
As engines fire and the sun sets on another January classic, one thing is guaranteed: somewhere around dawn, a NASCAR guy, an IndyCar champion and a former F1 driver will all be fighting for the same piece of asphalt — and none of them will want to lift.
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