Race Preview: Rolex 24 At Daytona

Chip Ganassi Racing is set to commence their 2024 season with the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R vying for the overall victory at the upcoming 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Teaming up to share driving duties in the No. 01, reigning two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou and four-time Daytona winner Scott Dixon will join IMSA full-timers Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande for the endurance event.

Qualifying for the GTP class will take place on Sunday, January 21, from 2:45 to 3:00 p.m. ET with coverage available on IMSA TV. The green flag for the 24-hour race will wave on Saturday, January 27 at 1:40 p.m. ET. The race broadcast can be seen across NBC, Peacock and IMSA TV.

Notes of Interest:

• Cadillac Racing proved its pace and reliability at Daytona in the debut of Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class competition last year, as the No. 01 Cadillac team earned a podium finish after leading the second-most laps (198) across the 24-hour endurance race. It was a full team effort, as the No. 01 Cadillac crew recorded 30 pit stops throughout the around-the-clock race. 
• Chip Ganassi Racing boasts an impressive track record at the Rolex 24, securing a total of eight victories throughout its history, six of which came in overall competition (2006-08, 2011, 2013, 2015). No team has claimed more overall victories than CGR, while their eight all-time victories rank second in the history of the race (Roush: 10). 
• Palou will be making his second career start at Daytona, after previously producing the fastest lap (1:33.724/136.742 mph) among all drivers in his Daytona debut in 2022. Palou, Dixon, Bourdais and van der Zande combined to lead 122 laps across the 2022 race.
• Dixon will be back for his 21st career start at Daytona. With four wins (three overall) under his belt, he is the most victorious driver among his fellow 2024 GTP competitors. 
• Bourdais is set to make his 15th start at the Rolex 24. Bourdais has earned two wins (one overall) and six podiums previously at Daytona. 
  
• Van der Zande will return for 11th Rolex 24 At Daytona start. The full-time IMSA driver, who will accompany Bourdais throughout the 2024 season, has earned two victories and four podiums at Daytona. 
  

Quotes from the Team:

• CGR Director of Operations Mike O’Gara: “The 01 Cadillac team is anxious to kick off the 2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship. We are ready to build on our Rolex 24 At Daytona success with the Cadillac V-Series.R after finishing third and fourth there in its debut race in 2023.  It has been a few years since Chip Ganassi Racing has won overall at Daytona, but we feel confident that we can compete for another win and add to our eight victories there.  We have been working hard in the offseason both at the racetrack testing, as well in the race shop, to be ready.  It’s exciting to be returning with our IMSA veteran drivers Renger van der Zande and Sebastien Bourdais, and it is great to have Scott Dixon back again and then with a pleasant surprise in being able to add Alex Palou to lineup this year, as well. Having the opportunity to work with drivers, engineers and a crew of this caliber is an honor.”
• Alex Palou: "I'm very excited to return to Daytona after competing with the team in the DPi era in 2022. I can't wait to get behind the wheel of the new Hybrid and it will be a great way to start the year early with such a great team and with such great teammates. I've had the privilege of racing with Scott, Sebastien and Renger and I'm sure with all the preparation and knowledge that the team has, we'll be able to fight for a win and maybe bring home some new watches at the end of January."
• Scott Dixon: "I always look forward to Daytona; it's a great way to kick off the season. I feel like we had a really good shot last year and the car speed was really good. The team has done a good job in the offseason to make things a little bit smoother and better. The key is always to stay out of trouble and make sure you finish the 24 hours first and then hopefully have a good shot at trying to get a win."
• Sebastien Bourdais: "I am really excited to get 2024 going. I think the traditional start of the season with Daytona is always a fun one. It gathers a ton of drivers that you might not see the rest of the season, so it is a bit of an international event and gathering with a great atmosphere. Everybody wants to leave with a watch on their wrist. We finished third last year, but we felt like we were in it to win it. I feel like Cadillac has given us a very good car and we have a good understanding of the system. We feel even more prepared and with the team that we can lean on, I think we have all the necessary ingredients to go for the win."
• Renger van der Zande: "We have been developing this car for a year now and lately we have found a lot of set-up options that work for us. Reliability is the most important thing and that is certainly what Chip Ganassi Racing and Cadillac Racing bring. Anything can happen at Daytona, but we feel prepared with a nice blend of drivers to win this race. It's the biggest race of the season, the one you want to win and a big part of a championship. We're there to win."