Porsche 963 Wins The 2024 24 Hours of Daytona

Porsche Penske Motorsprot’s 963 GTP has won the 24 Hours of Daytona race for 2024 IMSA championship

Porsche has kicked-off its 2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship on a high note, as the automaker clinched its first win at the season opener’s 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race.

Flying under the Porsche Penske Motorsport banner, the #7 Porsche 963 GTP of Felipe Nasr, Dane Cameron, Matt Campbell, and Josef Newgarden took the chequered flag first at the iconic Daytona International Speedway after a gruelling duel against the #31 Cadillac V-Series R. Said rivalling Cadillac, run by reigning series champion Action Express Racing, only finished 2.1 seconds behind the triumphant 963.

This latest triumph further strengthen Porsche's position as the most successful engine supplier for the 24 Hours of Daytona series

The 963’s triumph in Daytona Beach last weekend also marked the 19th time a Porsche-powered race car took a victory in this iconic endurance racing series, as well as Penske's first victory here since the 1969 edition.

Prior to the chequered flag, the lead changed hands multiple times between the Porsche and Cadillac, with Tom Blomqvist in the Cadillac pulling off a huge move over the 963 with just an hour left on the clock. The #7 963 finally retained its lead at around 30 minutes before the end, with driver Felipe Nasr managing to fend off the impeding Cadillac for the remainder of the race.

Completing the GTP class podium alongside the Porsche and Cadillac was the #40 Acura ARX-06 driven by Louis Deletraz, Jordan Taylor, Colton Herta, and former Formula One champion Jenson Button, who finished his maiden Daytona race on a high note.

As for the other racing classes, the Oreca 07 of Era Motorsport took the LMP2-class win, while Ferrari managed to emulate its Nurburgring 24 Hours success with the #62 Risi Competizione 296 GT3 taking the win for the GTD Pro class.

Serving as the curtain-raiser for the 2024 IMSA season, this year’s 24 Hours of Daytona not only saw Porsche extend its record-winning feat but also saw a record crowd in attendance. After the Daytona 24, this 11-race championship will continue with the 12 Hours of Sebring for its second round, set to take place later in March 16.