Another January has brought us to Daytona for the 24-hour race that opens the motorsports season in the United States, and it leads off the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.
This IMSA season will see a fifth class introduced with LMP3 machinery joining the grid. LMP3 will compete in seven races, but Daytona will only count to the Endurance Cup, same as the LMP2 class.
Daytona opens the season before the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 20. The series will take two months off before DPi, LMP3 and GTD will race at Mid-Ohio on May 16. On June 6, DPi, LMP2 and GTD will race at Belle Isle. All five series will be on track together again for the Six Hours of the Glen on June 27. Mosport will host all but LMP2 on July 4.
The second half of the season beings with the GT-only race from Lime Rock Park on July 17, but all five class will return to competition at Road America on August 8. The second GT-only race will be at Virginia International Raceway on August 22. Laguna Seca hosts the final race of summer on September 12th with LMP3 being the only class not competing. Long Beach will be the penultimate round on September 25 with only DPi, GTLM and GTD on track. Petit Le Mans ends the season on October 9.
There are 47 entries for the 24 Hours of Daytona. DPi has seven entries, three of which are either new teams or teams with new cars. LMP2 has ten cars while LMP3 has attracted seven entries. GTLM sees five entries and GTD will be the largest class on the grid fielding 19 cars.
This preview will go over each entry, the chances that entry will have at Daytona while also giving a brief season preview for the full-time entries.
Daytona Prototype international
#01 Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R.
Drivers: Renger van der Zande, Kevin Magnussen, Scott Dixon
Why this car could win: Chip Ganassi Racing has six overall victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona in 12 years competing in the premier class. Van der Zande has won the last two years, both driving a Cadillac. Dixon has three overall victories, including one last year in a Cadillac. Magnussen is coming over after seven years in Formula One where he started 119 races and had one podium finish. Magnussen was second quickest in testing. Marcus Ericsson is serving in a reserve role and could race if one of the other three drivers are forced out of the car.
Why this car will not win: Ganassi will be in its first race with the Cadillac and it could need a year to get up to speed, like we saw with the Ford GT program. This will be Magnussen's first sports car race. This is by far the longest race he will have ever started.
What to expect for the full season: With van der Zande in the team, I think Ganassi should be challenging for a few victories and could be a championship sleeper. Magnussen will be learning the tracks, but he has the right co-driver and the right car for the job. The biggest thing for Magnussen is to not allow his emotions to get the best of him, especially around Mr. Ganassi.
#5 JDC-Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R.
Drivers: Loïc Duval, Tristan Vautier, Sébastien Bourdais
Why this car could win: The #5 Cadillac was in the top five of seven of nine races last year, including three consecutive podium finishes to start the season. Bourdais won this race in 2014. Duval won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2013 and he has finished on the overall 24 Hours of Daytona podium twice in the last three years. This is Vautier's third season with JDC-Miller Motorsports.
Why this car will not win: Though the car had three podium finishes, it never looked better than third in any of the races. Vautier has yet to finish on the podium in the DPi class. Duval has not had the same type of sports car success since leaving Audi.
What to expect for the full season: Duval will be learning a bunch of circuit while Vautier has a handle of the schedule. I don't think this team will be a championship challenger but could continue to be a podium threat.
#10 Konica Minolta Wayne Taylor Racing Acura ARX-05
Drivers: Ricky Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque, Alexander Rossi, Hélio Castroneves
Why this car could win: Wayne Taylor Racing has won three of the last four years at Daytona. The one year it didn't win, Albuquerque was a part of that lineup. Taylor and Castroneves are moving over from Team Penske after a championship season. Albuquerque won two championships in 2020. Three-quarters of this lineup have experience with the Acura. Taylor and Albuquerque were both in the top six at testing.
Why this car will not win: While Wayne Taylor Racing has had great Daytona success, Acura has not. Acura it has been plagued with mechanical issues in endurance races at the worst possible times.
What to expect for the full season: Taylor and Albuquerque will push for the championship. They should win multiple races and I think find some success in endurance races.
#31 Whelen Engineering Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R.
Drivers: Pipo Derani, Felipe Nasr, Mike Conway, Chase Elliott
Why this car could win: Derani and Nasr are incredible drivers and they are bringing in Conway, who is coming off the World Endurance Drivers' Championship. The #31 Cadillac probably should have had two endurance race victories in 2020. This was the fastest car in testing, and it won the qualifying race to earn pole position. Conway, Derani and Nasr were third, seventh and ninth in testing, the only team to put three drivers in the top ten of the DPi class.
Why this car will not win: Elliott is an unknown in a prototype and he was the slowest in DPi in testing. The other three drivers could carry the load if needed, but you are only as strong as your weakest link. We also saw tempers boil over at Sebring with Derani and in a 24-hour race he will have to keep his cool.
What to expect for the full season: Avoiding the poor results that cost Derani a shot at the title in 2020. I expect this team to be at the point in all the endurance races and pick up multiple victories. This will be championship contender until the final race.
#48 Ally Action Express Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R.
Drivers: Jimmie Johnson, Kamui Kobayashi, Simon Pagenaud, Mike Rockenfeller
Why this car could win: Kobayashi is two-for-two in 24 Hours of Daytona starts and he is also coming off a World Endurance Drivers' Championship season. Kobayashi was the fastest in the test. Pagenaud has an abundance of endurance racing experience. Rockenfeller has won this race before and he has an Le Mans victory to go with it. This is the all-star car with the biggest name in Johnson. Cadillac has won the last four 24 Hours of Daytona.
Why this car will not win: This is the least experienced team together. Only Kobayashi has experience in the Cadillac, but he had a stable base in a full-time Wayne Taylor Racing entry in his two prior Daytona starts. Rockenfeller hasn't driven a prototype since 2015, though he was a Corvette's endurance driver from 2016-2019. Rockenfeller's Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters results have also dipped in recent seasons. Pagenaud has never finished outside the top five in four of his five Daytona starts in the top class. Johnson hasn't run an endurance race since 2011 and he is coming off two-and-half rotten years in NASCAR. Pagenaud and Johnson were both in the bottom five of testing.
What to expect for the full season: This is not a full-time team. Though nothing has been announced beyond Daytona, perhaps we could see this car in other endurance races, especially since Johnson is no longer a full-time NASCAR driver and he will only be driving in 13 IndyCar races.
#55 Mazda Motorsports Mazda RT24-P
Drivers: Harry Tincknell, Oliver Jarvis, Jonathan Bomarito
Why this car could win: This team is familiar with one another. Bomarito and Tincknell won Sebring together last year. Jarvis was a runner-up last year in this race. Bomarito and Tincknell won at Daytona in July, leading a Mazda 1-2 and Jarvis was third at Sebring. There will only be one Mazda to focus on this year.
Why this car will not win: It is Mazda and time and time again we see something bite this team out of nowhere. The speed is there, and we have seen improved results from Mazda in endurance races, but you have to remain a little skeptical Mazda can pull this out.
What to expect for the full season: Tincknell and Jarvis will be full-time, and they will be competitive, but not a frequent podium finisher. I think a victory or two with three or four podium finishes is the range for this duo, but that likely will not be enough for a championship.
#60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-05
Drivers: Dane Cameron, Olivier Pla, Juan Pablo Montoya, A.J. Allmendinger
Why this car could win: Cameron and Montoya have worked together before and won a championship. Pla is back in prototypes after being a member of the Ford GT program and got to run some endurance races with Mazda over the previous two seasons, including a runner-up finish at Daytona last year. Allmendinger is a Daytona veteran and he won this race with Shank in 2012.
Why this car will not win: Cameron and Montoya are familiar with the Acura endurance woes. Pla and Allmendinger will both be learning this car. Allmendinger has spent the last three years running only in GT Daytona. MSR will also be getting back into prototype racing and might need a race or two to get up to speed. None of the four drivers were better than 13th in the test.
What to expect for the full season: Cameron and Pla are a capable pairing. I think they can win races, but with MSR stepping into a competitive DPi class there will be some frustrating days that cancel out the good.
LMP2
#8 Tower Motorsports by Starworks Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: John Farano, Gabriel Aubry, Timothé Buret, Matthieu Vaxivière
Why this car could win: Aubry has been a race winner in the FIA WEC and he won in LMP2 at Watkins Glen in 2019. Buret has been a regular ELMS competitor for the last few seasons. Vaxivière is quick in many different types of sports cars and has stood on the LMP2 podium at Le Mans in each of the last two years. Farano was 2018 ELMS LMP3 champion with RLR Msport.
Why this car will not win: The #52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Oreca might be slightly better.
What to expect for the full season: Farano and Aubry are a solid combination. This is a good chance for Aubry to audition himself for a DPi or LMDh ride in 2022. Somebody has got to be a favorite to take the LMP2 championship. This is the clubhouse leader.
#11 WIN Autosport Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: Tristan Nunez, Thomas Merrill, Steven Thomas, Matthew Bell
Why this car could win: Nunez is coming over from Mazda. Bell won the Prototype Challenge championship last year with two victories, five podium finishes and six top five finishes form six races. Thomas was sixth in the Prototype Challenge championship last year and had a runner-up finish at Atlanta.
Why this car will not win: This is a new team. This is a big step up for Thomas and Merrill. This car could have a strong couple of hours but fade into the night.
What to expect for the full season: Thomas plans on being full-time, but his full-time co-driver has yet to be confirmed. I expect this to be a learning year for Thomas.
#18 Era Motorsport Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: Dwight Merriman, Ryan Dalziel, Kyle Tilley, Paul-Loup Chatin
Why this car could win: Merriman and Tilley have experience driving with one another. Dalziel is a Daytona veteran who has seen it all. Chatin comes over from Europe and has two championships in ELMS.
Why this car will not win: There are stronger teams top to bottom. Tilley was 18th in testing, the best in this team.
What to expect for the full season: Era Motorsport has only committed to Daytona.
#20 High Class Racing Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: Dennis Andersen, Andres Fjordbach, Ferdinand Habsburg, Robert Kubica
Why this car could win: Andersen and Fjordbach have spent the last few seasons racing together in the LMP2 class in ELMS and WEC. Habsburg and Kubica were in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters last year. Habsburg was competitive in Formula Three, while Kubica has won a Formula One race. This team has shown pace in testing and was second in the qualifying race.
Why this car will not win: Andersen and Fjordbach have yet to have any reasonable success in LMP2 racing and with Habsburg and Kubica being new to the car and the race. I don't think it can win this race first time out.
What to expect for the full season: This car will not be full-time in IMSA.
#29 Racing Team Nederland Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: Frits van Eerd, Giedo van der Garde, Charles Milesi, Job van Uitert
Why this car could win: It has won race in the World Endurance Championship and it was in the top five of all but one race last season. Race Team Nederland has been in the top five of 13 of the 16 WEC races over the last two seasons. Milesi, van Uitert and van der Garde were all in the top ten of testing.
Why this car will not win: This car can win the race. Milesi is an unknown and he is young, but van der Garde, van Uitert and van Eerd have 24-hour experience.
What to expect for the full season: It is not a full-time car.
#47 Cetilar Racing Dallara P217-Gibson
Drivers: Andrea Belicchi, Antonio Fuoco, Roberto Lacorte, Giorgio Sernagiotto
Why this car could win: Belicchi, Lacorte and Sernagiotto have raced together at Le Mans three of the last four years. Lacorte and Sernagiotto have been together for all of those four years. They were full-time in WEC last year and Fuoco is transitioning to sports car racing after having won races in GP3 and Formula Two.
Why this car will not win: The team's best finish in WEC last season was fifth, plus it is the only Dallara in the field.
What to expect for the full season: Daytona-only.
#51 RWR Eurasia Ligier JS P217-Gibson
Drivers: Cody Ware, Austin Dillon, Salih Yoluç, Sven Müller
Why this car could win: If it takes the green flag it has a shot and Yoluç has made great strides over the last few seasons. He notably won the GTE-Am class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ware and Rick Ware Racing were successful in the Asian Le Mans Series. Müller is a Porsche factory driver and he has starts in this event.
Why this car will not win: This is tougher than the Asian Le Mans Series. Müller is a late-substitute for Mathieu Jaminet after Jaminet tested positive for COVID-19. Müller has no time in this car. Dillon's best finish in a NASCAR Cup car on a road course is 16th. This is Yoluç's first run in an LMP2 car. The three drivers that were at the test were in the bottom ten of the class, the only team to have multiple drivers in the bottom ten.
What to expect for the full season: I don't know if it will be full-time, but if it is I would not expect much.
#52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: Scott Huffaker, Mikkel Jensen, Ben Keating, Nicolas Lapierre
Why this car could win: Huffaker won multiple races last year with Patrick Kelly in this car. Lapierre is one of the best in an LMP2 car in the world with a ridiculous number of class victories at Le Mans. Jensen has won an LMP2 champion in the European Le Mans Series and he won on his IMSA debut last year at Petit Le Mans with Tower Motorsport by Starworks. Jensen and Keating won the qualifying race and Lapierre top testing in class.
Why this car will not win: Keating is splitting his race between LMP2 and GTD again. However, I think Huffaker, Jensen and Lapierre could win on their own.
What to expect for the full season: PR1/Mathiasen has not confirmed full-time plans, but I hope Huffaker gets a shot. This team will go to Le Mans with 2020 champion Patrick Kelly. There is a chance Kelly could return at some point in 2021.
#81 DragonSpeed Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: Garett Grist, Ben Hanley, Rob Hodes, Rinus VeeKay
Why this car could win: DragonSpeed has won this race in the LMP2 class the last two years. Hanley won last year; Grist has spent the last two years in ELMS' LMP3 class. Last year, Grist and Hodes were co-drivers in ELMS. VeeKay was the 2020 IndyCar rookie of the year and he got stronger as the year went along with a pole position and podium finish at the Harvest Grand Prix weekend highlighting his season.
Why this car will not win: Compared to Colin Braun, Harrison Newey and Henrik Hedman, these are three inexperienced co-drivers around Hanley, as all three make their 24 Hours of Daytona debuts.
What to expect for the full season: Hodes and Grist will run the Endurance Cup with the co-driver in the other three races still unknown.
#82 DragonSpeed Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: Eric Lux, Christopher Mies, Devlin DeFrancesco, Fabian Schiller
Why this car could win: Mies has won a slew of endurance races in GT classes for Audi. DeFrancesco makes his Daytona return after previously having competed in the Prototype class. Lux has been in this race before.
Why this car will not win: It is a bit of a makeshift team. This is Mies' first prototype race. DeFrancesco will be unfamiliar with the car and this will be Schiller's Daytona debut.
What to expect for the full season: This will be a Daytona-only entry, but there is chance DragonSpeed runs two cars at Sebring.
LMP3
#6 Mühlner Motorsport Duqueine M30 - D08-Nissan
Drivers: Laurents Hörrs, Mortiz Kranz, Kenton Koch
Why this car could win: Hörrs and Kranz won the IMSA Prototype Challenge season opener at Daytona held last week and they won the qualifying race. Kranz was second in testing and Hörrs was fourth. Hörrs won the Michelin Le Mans Cup championship last year. Koch won this race in the PC class back in 2016.
Why this car will not win: While showing speed in the two races from Daytona, those were sprints compared to a 24-hour event. Hörrs and Kranz are both make Daytona debuts. This is only a three-driver lineup, and I believe LMP3 rules require a fourth. The team will have to put an untested driver in the car. There are more experienced teams in this class and that experience could pay off.
What to expect for the full season: Mühlner is spreading itself over multiple LMP3 championships, from IMSA's top series to Prototype Challenge, Michelin Le Mans Cup to ELMS. This could be the LMP3 sleeper or this team finds a little magic at Daytona and then falls into the pack for the rest of the season.
#7 Forty7 Motorsport Duqueine M30 - D08-Nissan
Drivers: Gabby Chaves, Mark Kvamme, Ryan Norman, Charles Finelli
Why this car could win: Chaves has been quick in DPi competition and he and Norman are reigning touring car champions in the Michelin Pilot Challenge Series. They won three races last year. Kvamme has been a Daytona regular in recent years and competed in the Prototype Challenge class. Finelli has spent time racing in the Road to Indy system.
Why this car will not win: This team is too top heavy with Chaves and Norman. Finelli will be getting his first taste of the 24 Hours of Daytona. Kvamme does not compete regularly. Both Finelli and Kvamme were toward the bottom of testing results.
What to expect for the full season: This appears to be a Daytona-only entry.
#33 Sean Creech Motorsport Ligier JS P320-Nissan
Drivers: João Barbosa, Lance Willsey, Yann Clairay, Wayne Boyd
Why this car could win: Barbosa is a three-time overall winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona. Boyd won the LMP3 championship in the ELMS last year with three victories and four podium finishes from five races. Clairay drove in IPC in 2018 and won a race with Extreme Speed Motorsports. Willsey competed in IPC last year.
Why this car will not win: Clairay hasn't competed since 2018. Willsey's IPC results are run of the mill.
What to expect for the full season: Barbosa and Willsey will be full-time in this entry, but this duo does not match the quality of some of the other teams in this class. Barbosa could work his magic and pull out a podium finish and perhaps a victory.
#38 Performance Tech Motorsports Ligier JS P320-Nissan
Drivers: Mateo Llarena, Cameron Cassels, Rasmus Lindh, Ayrton Ori
Why this car could win: Performance Tech has been successful in the LMP2 class and it was a strong Prototype Challenge team. Lindh is an emerging young talent in the open-wheel ladder system and spent 2020 in IPC. Ori has some junior formula experience, as well as dabbling in some ARCA races. Llarena drove in F4 United States and Porsche Supercup in last year.
Why this car will not win: This is a young lineup with three teenagers. Lindh, Ori and Llarena are all making their debut in an endurance race. This car lacks a veteran leader.
What to expect for the full season: Performance Tech was a championship winning team in the Prototype Challenge class. It is stepping down from LMP2. With the right drivers, it could be a team to keep an eye on.
#54 CORE Autosport Ligier JS P320-Nissan
Drivers: Jon Bennett, Colin Braun, George Kurtz, Matt McMurry
Why this car could win: Bennett and Braun were one of the best duos in the Prototype Challenge class. They nearly won the Prototype championship with an LMP2 car. McMurry has won championships the last two years in LMP2 and GTD. Braun was third fastest in testing with McMurry in tenth and Bennett in 14th.
Why this car will not win: Kurtz has run in GT racing almost exclusively and this will be his first 24 Hours of Daytona. Even with Kurtz, I think this is one of the class favorites.
What to expect for the full season: Bennett and Braun are the championship favorites. That is setting the bar high, but they have done it before. They can do it again in LMP3.
#74 Riley Motorsports Ligier JS P320-Nissan
Drivers: Spencer Pigot, Gar Robinson, Scott Andrews, Oliver Askew
Why this car could win: It has two past Indy Lights champions in Pigot and Askew, who are both were fine in IndyCar. Askew is also a silver-rated driver. Robinson has been running in GTD and has plenty of endurance racing experience. Andrews won two races in the IMSA Prototype Challenge series. Askew led testing with Pigot in fifth and Andrews in seventh.
Why this car will not win: Team principal Bill Riley believes it could take a "survival-like mentality" to win in LMP3. The #74 Ligier missed the qualifying race due to electrical issues. There are some unknowns, but LMP3 is a tested class around the world. Daytona is a different animal and LMP3 will have two fastest class to contend with along with GT Le Mans cars, which are about equal. There are a lot of moving pieces for this to go wrong.
What to expect for the full season: Robinson will be paired with Felipe Fraga for the rest of the season. Fraga was unable to make it to Daytona due to COVID-19 protocols. Fraga and Robinson should push for the championship. I expect them to win races.
#91 Riley Motorsports Ligier JS P320-Nissan
Drivers: Dylan Murry, Jim Cox, Austin McCusker, Jeroen Bleekemolen
Why this car could win: McCusker won the IMSA Prototype Challenge in 2019 while Murry was fifth in the championship that year with one victory. Cox and Murray were co-drivers in Michelin Pilot Challenge last year and were fourth in the championship. They won the season opener at Daytona with Bleekemolen. Bleekemolen is arguably the best driver in this class. He won three consecutive GTD Endurance Cup championships with Riley.
Why this car will not win: The sister Riley entry is better, and I think the amateurs in this car are among the weakest in the field.
What to expect for the full season: Cox and Murry will be full-time. I think their teammates will be better. I know Murry has been good in LMP3 cars before, but this is a higher level than IPC.
GT Le Mans
#3 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C8.R
Drivers: Antonio García, Jordan Taylor, Nick Catsburg
Why this car could win: Corvette won six of 11 races last year, including five with Garciá and Taylor. García has won the championship three of the last four years. The #3 Corvette ended 2020 with five consecutive pole positions and the car was on the podium nine times.
Why this car will not win: Corvette has not won the 24 Hours of Daytona since 2016 and it has only one podium finish at Daytona in the last four years. Also, the #3 Corvette struggled in endurance races last year. Its only podium finish was second at Petit Le Mans.
What to expect for the full season: Since becoming a full-time Corvette driver in 2012, García's championship finishes have been third, first, third, third, third, first, first, third and first. So, I would guess the #3 Corvette will either finish first or third.
#4 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C8.R
Drivers: Tommy Milner, Nick Tandy, Alexander Sims
Why this car could win: Tandy is a tremendous additional to the program, as is Sims, and combined with Milner's knowledge of the Corvette this trio should be giving the #3 Corvette a run for its money. Tandy led testing and the #4 Corvette won the qualifying race.
Why this car will not win: The #4 Corvette has finished outside the top five in class in three of the last four years and it has not been on the podium in the 24 Hours of Daytona since its victory in 2016. Tandy has not won in the 24 Hours of Daytona since 2014. This will be a new lineup with two-thirds of the drivers learning the car.
What to expect for the full season: I think Milner and Tandy will win multiple races and really push the #3 Corvette for the championship.
#24 BMW Team RLL BMW M8 GTE
Drivers: John Edwards, Jesse Krohn, Augusto Farfus, Marco Wittmann
Why this car could win: Edwards, Krohn and Farfus won this race last year. Farfus has won this race the last two years. Edwards and Krohn were GT Le Mans vice-champions but they were Endurance Cup champions. They were on the podium of all four endurance races last year.
Why this car will not win: Three consecutive victories in this race is asking a lot for BMW, especially for Farfus.
What to expect for the full season: This will be an Endurance Cup-only entry. I think BMW will get the most it can out of these four races and will shoot to take four victories.
#25 BMW Team RLL BMW M8 GTE
Drivers: Connor De Phillippi, Bruno Spengler, Philipp Eng, Timo Glock
Why this car could win: De Phillippi and Eng won this race two years ago. De Phillippi and Spengler won at the Six Hours of Atlanta last year and were fourth in the championship. Eng has plenty of experience in this car and Glock has spent the better part of the last decade in Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.
Why this car will not win: I give a slight edge to the #24 BMW.
What to expect for the full season: Similar to the sister car. With this not being a full-time program, the goal is to win at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Road Atlanta, and take the Endurance Cup championship. The BMW camp has something to race for.
#62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTE Evo
Drivers: James Calado, Alessandro Pier Guidi, Davide Rigon, Jules Gounon
Why this car could win: It is an experience lineup with Calado, Pier Guidi and Rigon all having experience driving with one another at AF Corse. Pier Guidi won in the GTD class in 2014 and he is coming off a GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup championship. Gounon has won the 24 Hours of Spa and he won the Bathurst 12 Hour last year.
Why this car will not win: Since becoming an endurance race-only team, Risi Competizione has not had the same level of success at Daytona as it once did in other endurance races. Pier Guidi, Gounon and Rigon were all in the bottom seven in testing.
What to expect for the full season: This is a Daytona-only entry, though I wish Risi would return to full-time competition.
#79 WeatherTech Racing Proton Competition Porsche 911 RSR-19
Drivers: Cooper MacNeil, Richard Lietz, Kévin Estre, Gianmaria Bruni.
Why this car could win: This is basically a factory Porsche lineup with Lietz, Bruni and Estre. These are three drivers who have won many endurance races and all three have won the World Endurance GT Drivers' Championship. MacNeil is a strong silver driver and can carry his weight. These drivers were balanced in testing with Bruni, Estre and MacNeil ending up tenth, 11th and 12th respectively.
Why this car will not win: It is not officially a factory Porsche. This is a partnership between Proton Competition and WeatherTech Racing and it will have to go against the dominant Corvettes, and two BMWs that have won the last two years at Daytona.
What to expect for the full season: MacNeil will be full-time with a rotation of factory Porsche drivers serving as his co-driver. This will be a three-car class for majority of the season, with BMW committed to only the endurance races. MacNeil and his co-driver can win a race or two. I don't think this car can beat the Corvettes for the championship, but it can have some respectable races. At least, that is the hope. I want to see this car mix it up with Corvette for at least half the races this year.
GT Le Mans
#1 Paul Miller Racing Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo
Drivers: Bryan Sellers, Corey Lewis, Madison Snow, Andrea Caldarelli
Why this car could win: They won it last year. It is plain and simple. Paul Miller Racing has put together an outstanding endurance racing program for the last four seasons. Lamborghini has won this race the last three years. These drivers all mesh with one another.
Why this car will not win: It is hard to repeat and Lamborghini winning three on the spin is not in Paul Miller Racing's favor. Eventually, Lamborghini will not come out on top in this class. Surprisingly, Caldarelli was the best driver in class for this entry and he was only 39th in testing.
What to expect for the full season: Another respectable year. Sellers and Snow will win a race or two. Last year, the team ran an abbreviated schedule due to the pandemic. If they are full-time, they will be in the top five of the championship. They will be good at the endurance races.
#9 Pfaff Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R
Drivers: Zach Robichon, Laurens Vanthoor, Matt Campbell, Lars Kern
Why this car could win: We have already seen this team win races with Robichon. Campbell and Vanthoor are a great pair of Porsche factory drivers to have and Kern has endurance racing experience where he could be a sleeper in this team.
Why this car will not win: Pfaff has had an odd last 12 months with the pandemic and this being a Canadian based team. It has been through a lot. There are other strong Porsches in this field. It has to first be the first Porsche to be first in class.
What to expect for the full season: It really depends on how the pandemic goes and border restrictions. The Canadian-based Pfaff is going to try and compete full-time, but if things change it would not be surprising if this team took a step back. If this car is full-time, it is Vanthoor and Robichon and nobody should bet against Laurens Vanthoor. Pfaff will win races.
#12 Vasser Sullivan Racing Lexus RC F GT3
Drivers: Frankie Montecalvo, Zach Veach, Robert Megennis, Townsend Bell
Why this car could win: Bell and Montecalvo have experience together. Veach has dabbled in sports car racing. Megennis has won in Indy Lights and he got to run some European Le Mans Series races and the Indianapolis 8 Hours last year.
Why this car will not win: I think this is the second-best Lexus car. Veach and Megennis are new to the program. There are going to be some growing pains in this race and with 20 cars in this class you cannot afford that.
What to expect for the full season: Montecalvo and Veach will be full-time. Veach is trying to boost his career after a tough three years in IndyCar. I don't expect Montecalvo and Veach to beat the sister Lexus, but if they can be within three positions of the #14 Lexus in the championship and pull out a few podium finishes, it will be a good year.
#14 Vasser Sullivan Racing Lexus RC F GT3
Drivers: Jack Hawksworth, Aaron Telitz, Oliver Gavin, Kyle Kirkwood
Why this car could win: Hawksworth and Telitz were a match made in heaven in 2020 and adding Gavin only makes this team better. Kirkwood lost 2020, as he was scheduled to drive in Indy Lights. He very well should be preparing for a rookie season in IndyCar. He has won in almost everything he has stepped into.
Why this car will not win: Lexus does not have a great record at Daytona. This will be Gavin's first race in the car, and he has limited testing time, though he was fastest among these drivers over the weekend. Kirkwood is still relatively new to the car.
What to expect for the full season: This could be a championship winning team. I honestly believe Hawksworth and Telitz are two IndyCar caliber drivers. Lexus is going to win races and I expect this car to be leading the way. It just has to clean up its poor days.
#16 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R
Drivers: Patrick Long, Ryan Hardwick, Jan Heylen, Klaus Bachler
Why this car could win: This team just won the 12 Hours of Sebring. Long and Hardwick were quite championship contenders and nearly stole the GTD crown. Bachler and Heylen add great depth to this lineup. This team won pole position for the qualifying race.
Why this car will not win: The team had to go to a backup car after an accident in the Saturday night test session. It has also been 12 years since Long's only class victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona. This race just seems to elude him. This is a good lineup. It should be a contender.
What to expect for the full season: Wright Motorsports was consistent throughout 2020 and rarely put a wheel put a wheel wrong with eight top five finishes from 11 races. Long and Hardwick can go for the championship, but it has to win more than one race.
#19 GRT Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo
Drivers: Albert Costa, Misha Goikhberg, Franck Perera, Tim Zimmerman
Why this car could win: Grasser has won this race before. Goikhberg has plenty of experience in the 24 Hours of Daytona in the prototype class. Perera won at Daytona in this class in 2018. Costa has been competitive in the SRO European series.
Why this car will not win: I don't think it is even the best Grasser car in the field, plus I feel like this lineup doesn't have an established relationship and they will all still be learning to work together.
What to expect for the full season: Goikhberg and Perera are set to full-time in 2021 and this could be a sleeper. Grasser is highly successful around the world. The last few years have rejuvenated Perera's career. This team could sneak a race victory. This entry only makes GTD tougher.
#21 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020
Drivers: Matteo Cressoni, Simon Mann, Nicklas Nielsen, Daniel Serra
Why this car could win: This car was quick in testing. Serra competes full-time in GTE-Pro in WEC and he has two class victories at Le Mans. Nielsen is coming off the Endurance Trophy for GTE-Am drivers and he won the ELMS GTE title the year before. Serra and Cressoni were in the top five in testing.
Why this car will not win: Testing pace has been encouraging, but something can always go wrong. It is a long race, and this will be Mann's first time in the 24 Hours of Daytona.
What to expect for the full season: This is a one-off.
#23 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3
Drivers: Roman de Angelis, Ian James, Darren Turner, Ross Gunn
Why this car could win: Turner and Gunn are Aston Martin factory drivers. Turner has won at Le Mans and he has won an ELMS championship. James and de Angelis were teammates last year and picked up two podium finishes. It ended 2020 with a runner-up finish at Sebring with James, de Angelis and Turner.
Why this car will not win: This is a deep class. De Angelis was 53rd in class, best of the Heart of Racing Team lineup.
What to expect for the full season: The team has not confirmed its full-time lineup. Aston Martin had scattered results in 2020, but it showed potential. However, I think 2021 will look similar to 2020 in terms of results.
#28 Alegra Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo
Drivers: Daniel Morad, Michael de Quesada, Billy Johnson, Maximilian Buhk
Why this car could win: Alegra won this race four years ago in a Porsche. Morad and de Quesada were in the car that day. Johnson has spent some time in a Mercedes-AMG since the Ford GT program shut down. Buhk has multiple championships in SRO GT World Challenge Europe Series competition. Buhk, Morad and Johnson were all in the top 22 in testing.
Why this car will not win: This is Buhk's first time in the 24 Hours of Daytona and Johnson is new to the team. Morad and de Quesada both competed less than usual in 2020.
What to expect for the full season: No full-time lineup has been announced, but Alegra will contest the full season. I think Morad and de Quesada would be a good pairing and be a frequent top five finisher.
#42 NTE Sport Audi R8 LMS GT3
Drivers: J.R. Hildebrand, Andrew Davis, Alan Metni, Don Yount
Why this car could win: Hildebrand is an IndyCar veteran and Davis has victories with many different teams in many different cars across sports car racing. Yount has been a regular competitor in the IMSA endurances races over the last five years.
Why this car will not win: It is a very new team. This will be Hildebrand's first endurance race. Davis was the top driver in testing, and he was only 66th out of 75 GTD drivers.
What to expect for the full season: The team hopes to compete in the four Endurance Cup races.
#44 Magnus Racing with Archangel Motorsports Acura NSX GT3 Evo
Drivers: Andy Lally, John Potter, Spencer Pumpelly, Mario Farnbacher
Why this car could win: Lally and Potter have won this race before, as has Pumpelly. They have all raced together and are adding the back-to-back reigning GTD champion in Farnbacher while switching to the manufacture that has won the last two championships. They were second in this race last year.
Why this car will not win: Magnus Racing has taken a step back over the last few seasons. It has not won a race since 2017. This is a good team, but it has experienced some teething problems with the Acura and struggled in testing.
What to expect for the full season: Magnus Racing was anonymous in too many races in 2020. I cannot say it will be a championship contender. I think a few races could break Magnus Racing's way, but it will not match what Meyer Shank Racing did in this class.
#57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo
Drivers: Russell Ward, Indy Dontje, Philip Ellis, Maro Engel
Why this car could win: Ward, Dontje and Ellis have been Michelin Pilot Challenge teammates. Engel has been one of the best Mercedes-AMG drivers in GT3 competition over the last few years. Engel was sixth in testing. Ellis and Dontje were 14th and 17th respectively.
Why this car will not win: I just don't feel it. I don't think this lineup has enough 24-hour experience to win this race against this level of field. For some reason, I think this is a team that has a great first quarter of the race and then fades.
What to expect for the full season: Winward Racing will not be full-time in IMSA's top class, but it should compete in Michelin Pilot Challenge Series competition.
#63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020
Drivers: Ryan Briscoe, Bret Curtis, Marcos Gomes, Ed Jones
Why this car could win: All the Ferraris looked strong in testing. Briscoe won this race overall last year and he was a championship challenger to the wire with Wayne Taylor Racing. Jones won the Gulf 12 Hours earlier this month. Gomes won pole position in GTD for this race in 2019 and he ran at Le Mans last year in GTE-Am. Gomes was also third in testing.
Why this car will not win: This is a mixed bag of a lineup. Briscoe has limited GT3 experience, though he did run the Indianapolis 8 Hours. Jones spent much of 2020 on the sidelines. Curtis has not run the 24 Hours of Daytona since 2017.
What to expect for the full season: It is not clear whether Scuderia Corsa will be full-time or what drivers will be full-time.
#64 Team TGM Porsche 911 GT3 R
Drivers: Ted Giovanis, Hugh Plumb, Matt Plumb, Owen Trinkler
Why this car could win: All these drivers have experience in the Michelin Pilot Challenge Series. Hugh Plumb and Trinkler were the 2018 GS class champion.
Why this car will not win: This is a big step up into IMSA and I feel like the class is too deep for this to be a race winner. We got 20 cars in this class. It would be something if it finished in the top ten. Team TGM did skip the qualifying race to save the car.
What to expect for the full season: It will only be at Daytona in GTD, but Team TGM should be full-time in Michelin Pilot Challenge.
#75 SunEnergy1 Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo
Drivers: Kenny Habul, Luca Stolz, Raffaele Marciello, Mikaël Grenier
Why this car could win: Marciello won twice in GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup on his way to finishing third in the championship. Marciello and Habul were runners-up in the 2018 Bathurst 12 Hour. Habul, Stolz and Grenier drove together in Intercontinental GT Challenge and won their class at Suzuka in 2018. Stolz was seventh in testing with Marciello in 13th and Grenier in 17th.
Why this car will not win: This is the team's first race in three years. I think this class is deeper than it was when SunEnergy1 Racing last competed.
What to expect for the full season: Daytona is the team's only announced race.
#88 Team Hardpoint EBM Porsche 911 GT3 R
Drivers: Earl Bamber, Rob Ferriol, Katherine Legge, Christina Nielsen
Why this car could win: Bamber is one of the best GT drivers around. He won the IMSA title two years ago and he has been on the GTLM podium the last two years. Nielsen has won this class championship twice. Legge has won multiple races in GTD. Nielsen topped testing in the GTD class. Ferriol picked up a top five finish with Team Hardpoint at Sebring.
Why this car will not win: It picked up some damage in the qualifying race and this is EBM's first IMSA race. Ferriol struggled in 2020, having six finishes of tenth or worse in nine starts.
What to expect for the full season: This is a new team, but it will have Bamber at the wheel first time. Bamber is going to win races and no one would be surprised if this team is competing for a championship in year one.
#96 Turner Motorsport BMW M6 GT3
Drivers: Bill Auberlen, Robby Foley, Colton Herta, Aidan Read
Why this car could win: Aubelren and Foley are a proven duo and adding Herta takes this car to a higher level. Ried has run in the Asian Le Mans Series in the LMP2 class. Auberlen and Foley won the qualifying race.
Why this car will not win: Turner's best finish in an endurance race last year was sixth at Daytona.
What to expect for the full season: Auberlen and Foley could be a championship contender. It does seem the low of the BMW is lower than other manufactures in GTD. The car won two races and had seven finishes outside the top five in 2020.
#97 TF Sport Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3
Drivers: Charlie Eastwood, Ben Keating, Max Root, Richard Westbrook
Why this car could win: Westbrook is a consummate professional and he is a great leader for this team. Eastwood had a wonderful run in WEC last season, winning at Le Mans, but losing the championship in a crushing fashion in the final race of the season. Keating is a strong amateur driver and was within a tenth of Westbrook in testing.
Why this car will not win: Root has experience in SRO competition, but he is new to endurance racing. Aston Martin has not had great runs in IMSA since the TRG program nearly five years ago. Westbrook was only 43rd in testing. Keating will have to spend some time in an LMP2 car.
What to expect for the full season: This is a one-off and TF Sport will turn its focus to LMP2 racing in 2021 in the European Le Mans Series.
#111 GRT Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo
Drivers: Mirko Bortolotti, Rolf Ineichen, Marco Mapelli, Stein Schothorst
Why this car could win: Bortolotti and Ineichen won this race in 2018 and 2019 with Grasser. Mapelli nearly won this race last year, finishing runner-up with Magnus Racing. Bortolotti was third in an Audi with WRT. Schothorst ran three of the four IMSA endurance races last year with Grasser.
Why this car will not win: Lamborghini has won this race three years in a row. All things must come to an end. The odds are not in Grasser's favor.
What to expect for the full season: This car will not be full-time, yet. Grasser is considering a second full-time entry.
Practice will begin on Thursday January 28 at 11:05 a.m. ET with a one-hour session. There will be a 30-minute session at 3:20 p.m. ET for silver and bronze drivers in GTD and LMP3 and bronze LMP2 drivers. After that 30 minutes, all drivers from those three classes can participate until 4:20 p.m. At 3:35 p.m., DPi and GTLM teams will be allowed to take to the track. At 7:15 p.m., there will be an hour and 45-minute practice session for all classes. A one-hour warm-up session will be held at 11:20 a.m. ET on Friday January 29.
Kamui Kobayashi and Renger van der Zande are both shooting to join Peter Gregg as drivers to win three consecutive 24 Hours of Daytona, though Gregg's stretched over four years, as no race was held in 1974 due to the energy crisis. Wayne Taylor Racing could become the first team to win Daytona overall in three consecutive years since Chip Ganassi Racing did it from 2006-08. Cadillac could join Porsche as the only engine manufactures to win this race overall in at least five consecutive years.
Green flag for the 59th 24 Hours of Daytona will at 3:40 p.m. ET on Saturday January 30.
