What was said to be a record crowd at the Rolex 24 at Daytona this past weekend were on hand to view some of the closest, fierce racing in recent IMSA history that resulted in several cars contending up to the checkered flag in four out of the five classes after two circuits around a Rolex watch. So in AutoInformed’s opinion the “sport” of Sports Car Racing is healthy and off to what should be a great 2023 season. Given the crowd size and a new broadcast contract with an international audience and specifically tailored automaker advertisements keyed to the Rolex 24, the “business” of racing is good as well. These successes will no doubt play into the “politics” of racing with as yet unknown effects.

Meyer Shank Racing’s Tom Blomqvist drove the pole-starting No. 60 Acura ARX-06 to a 4.190-second victory, to win the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class win in the first race with hybrid-powered prototypes. It was the second consecutive Rolex 24 victory for the Meyer Shank, which led an historic number, at 365, of the 783 laps. However, the Acura hybrid only finished 4.19 seconds ahead of Filipe Albuquerque in the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 from Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport. Cadillac Racing’s Cadillac V-LMDh cars from Chip Ganassi Racing finished third (with driver Renger van der Zande in the No. 01) and fourth (Earl Bamber in the No. 02). The top four hybrids were separated by 11.176 seconds after 24 hours of racing. on the 3.56-mile Daytona International Speedway road course. The event marked the successful racing debut for the electrified Acura ARX-06 prototype sports car, the second successive win at Daytona for the Meyer Shank Racing team, and the third consecutive Rolex 24 win for Acura in the Rolex 24.