Another January has brought us to the 24 Hours of the Daytona and while this will be the 58th edition of this race, this year's event marks the season opener to the 50th anniversary of IMSA.
This year's race will have four classes. The GT Le Mans and GT Daytona classes return but the Prototype class has been split into the Daytona Prototype international class and the LMP2 class. This year's race has 47 entries, 11 in DPi, four LMP2 cars, nine GTLM and 23 in GTD.
The 2019 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season will have 12 rounds with Daytona opening the season and the 12 Hours of Sebring following on March 16. The third round will be at Long Beach on April 13th and will only feature the DPi and GTLM class. All four classes will be at Mid-Ohio on May 5th. On June 1st, DPi and GTD will run at Belle Isle. The third Endurance Cup race will be on June 30th at Watkins Glen and mark the halfway point of the season.
One week after Watkins Glen will be Mosport on July 7th. The GTLM and GTD classes will be on display on July 20th from Lime Rock Park. Road America is scheduled for August 4th. The second GT-only event will be August 25th at Virginia International Raceway. Laguna Seca will be the penultimate round on September 15th with Petit Le Mans closing the season on October 12th.
Another slight change is the introduction of the WeatherTech Sprint Cup for the GTD class. It is a separate championship that does not include the four endurance races for the GTD class. The Belle Isle round will only count toward the Sprint Cup and not the entire championship.
This preview will go through all 47 entries, why that entry could win at Daytona, why that entry will not win at Daytona and end with a brief full season prediction.
Daytona Prototype international
#5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R.
Drivers: Filipe Albuquerque, João Barbosa, Christian Fittipaldi, Mike Conway
Why this car could win: It is a Cadillac, this team won last year, has three-time Daytona winners Barbosa and Fittipaldi, it is Fittipaldi's final race and the team has the ever capable Conway rounding out the lineup.
Why this car will not win: Repeating is hard to do and there are five other Cadillacs in this race. If it slips up a bit it will be tough to come from behind.
What to expect for the full season: Another championship push! That is what the Action Express Racing cars do. Despite winning twice last season, Albuquerque and Barbosa had a rough 2018. The duo did not stand on the podium in any races outside of their victories. I expect that not to be the case in 2019.
#6 Acura Team Penske Acura ARX-05
Drivers: Dane Cameron, Juan Pablo Montoya, Simon Pagenaud
Why this car could win: It is Penske and has a strong lineup.
Why this car will not win: The pace was just off at the Roar before the 24 test and it may have to rely on force majeure to get to the front.
What to expect for the full season: Cameron and Montoya did not win a race last year despite being the better of the two Acuras last season. I think this pair remains the top Penske entry and gets at least one victory.
#7 Acura Team Penske Acura ARX-05
Drivers: Hélio Castroneves, Ricky Taylor, Alexander Rossi
Why this car could win: Taylor has won this race before, Castroneves is a competent driver and Rossi does not take long to adapt to a new vehicle.
Why this car will not win: Its sister car might be a tad better and Rossi is going to be in his first outing with this machine.
What to expect for the full season: For a race winner, last year was a bit of a disappointment and the team had four results of tenth or worse. I think this team does better and I think it can get back to the top step of the podium.
#10 Konica Minolta Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R
Drivers: Jordan Taylor, Renger van der Zande, Fernando Alonso, Kamui Kobayashi
Why this car could win: It is coming off a victory at Petit Le Mans, won two years ago and added Alonso and Kobayashi. How does it get better than that?
Why this car will not win: There is a Cadillac better or something goes wrong in the night.
What to expect for the full season: It took until the final round of the season for Wayne Taylor Racing to get a victory and I don't think that will be the case in 2019. I think this team wins multiple times and will be a title contender.
#31 Whelen Engineering Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R
Drivers: Felipe Nasr, Pipo Derani, Eric Curran
Why this car could win: The defending champions added Derani, one of the unheralded prototype talent who has won this race before and Sebring twice.
Why this car will not win: One of the other Cadillacs or this three-drive lineup will not be able to keep up with a fresher four-driver lineup.
What to expect for the full season: It is tough to repeat but this entry got better swapping Derani and Curran. I think we will have another season with the #31 Cadillac winning multiple races and in the title hunt.
#50 Juncos Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R
Drivers: Will Owen, René Binder, Agustín Canapino, Kyle Kaiser
Why this car could win: It is a Cadillac and the team did not take long to get up to pace.
Why this car will not win: Outside of Owen, it is an inexperienced lineup when it comes to endurance racing.
What to expect for the full season: Owen is the only driver confirmed for the full season. It will come down to who the team gets to pair with him for the full year. I am not sure any of the other three drivers are capable of completing a pairing that could contend for the title in year one. This team may have good days but it will experience growing pains as well.
#54 CORE Autosport Nissan Onroak DPi
Drivers: Colin Braun, Jon Bennett, Romain Dumas, Loïc Duval
Why this car could win: It nearly won last year with an Oreca. Now it has factory Nissan backing.
Why this car will not win: For all of Extreme Speed Motorsports struggles the last few seasons, sometimes the car let them down. I am worried that Nissan could bite this team.
What to expect for the full season: On paper, this team should be fighting for the title again. It only got stronger by switching to Nissan. I think this team can win a race but takes a step back in the championship.
#55 Mazda Team Joest Mazda RT24-P
Drivers: Jonathan Bomarito, Harry Tincknell, Olivier Pla
Why this car could win: Mazda was sneaky fast in the Roar and was the one manufacture to consistently keep pace with the Cadillacs. Pla is a great addition to the lineup.
Why this car will not win: It is Mazda. It may be quick but can it keep up the pace for 24 hours?
What to expect for the full season: I have already said this has to be the year it clicks for Mazda and Team Joest has pulled out all the stops to get the two Mazdas to the front. I think Bomarito and Tincknell move noticeable up the championship.
#77 Mazda Team Joest Mazda RT24-P
Drivers: Oliver Jarvis, Tristan Nunez, Timo Bernhard, René Rast
Why this car could win: Jarvis set the fastest lap during the Roar and the team brought in Bernhard and Rast to round out the lineup. It is hard to believe it has been 16 years since Bernhard won this race overall with The Racer's Group. This is a tough quad to beat.
Why this car will not win: It goes back to it being a Mazda and this being a 24-hour race.
What to expect for the full season: I think this entry is closer to a race victory than the #55 Mazda. Jarvis can carry the weight and I think a lot of pressure will be on Nunez to performance. For a few seasons the lack of reliable from the Mazda has covered any driver deficiencies. If the team has everything squared away the performance of the drivers will be more pronounced.
#84 JDC-Miller Motorsports Cadillac DPi-V.R
Drivers: Stephan Simpson, Simon Trummer, Juan Piedrahita, Chris Miller
Why this car could win: This team had a surprise victory last year with an Oreca at the 6 Hours of the Glen. Now it is a Cadillac. That is a big step up.
Why this car will not win: There are stronger entries out there and not just from other Cadillac teams.
What to expect for the full season: Simpson did well last year and Trummer will be his co-driver for the full season. I think this car takes a step back, however. This class is only getting stronger.
#85 JDC-Miller Motorsports Cadillac DPi-V.R
Drivers: Tristan Vautier, Misha Goikhberg, Devlin DeFrancesco, Rubens Barrichello
Why this car could win: Vautier has been underrated, Goikhberg is coming off fourth in the championship, Barrichello is getting a big opportunity and DeFrancesco is a young talent.
Why this car will not win: Vautier will carry the weight. Goikhberg is good but not great. Barrichello will be in his first outing with a DPi and has spent the better part of the last six seasons only driving Stock Car Brasil and DeFrancesco is an unproven talent.
What to expect for the full season: It would not surprise me if Vautier had a race or two where his performance alone got this car on the podium. I do not see it contending for race victories and with Mazda appearing to get stronger and Acura Team Penske likely going to take a step forward, JDC-Miller Motorsports is likely to fall back a bit. It will be interesting to see how this team compares to Juncos Racing.
LMP2
#18 DragonSpeed Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: Ryan Cullen, Roberto González, Pastor Maldonado, Sebastián Saavedra
Why this car could win: González took the LMP2 title in the WEC a few years ago. Maldonado is quick despite his erratic nature. Saavedra has some prototype experience.
Why this car will not win: You never know with Maldonado.
What to expect for the full season: This entry not to be there. It is only running Daytona.
#38 Perfomance Tech Motorsports Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: Kris Wright, Kyle Masson, Robert Masson, Cameron Cassels
Why this car could win: It is on the grid.
Why this car will not win: It is the true amateur of amateur entries and it is against tough opposition.
What to expect for the full season: This team potentially leaving IMSA to run in the European Le Mans Series due to lack of LMP2 entries in IMSA.
#52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: Gabriel Aubry, Matt McMurry, Mark Kvamme, Enzo Guibbert
Why this car could win: McMurry has been a veteran since he was 18 years old. Aubry has done well in LMP2 competition with three victories this WEC season and he did it while balancing a GP3 season.
Why this car will not win: DragonSpeed has two better entries.
What to expect for the full season: Who knows because if it is the only full-time LMP2 entry I am not sure IMSA will continue the class.
#81 DragonSpeed Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: Ben Hanley, Henrik Hedman, Nicolas Lapierre, James Allen
Why this car could win: Hanley and Lapierre are experienced prototype drivers and Lapierre is good enough for a DPi entry. Hedman and Allen are respectable drivers.
Why this car will not win: This is the class favorite.
What to expect for the full season: Like its sister car, not to be here.
GT Le Mans
#3 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C7.R
Drivers: Antonio García, Jan Magnussen, Mike Rockenfeller
Why this car could win: It is Corvette. García, Magnussen and Rockenfeller have seen it all and done it all. This team didn't win a race last season and still won the championship. It is due for a victory and Daytona is the kind of race to get off the snide with.
Why this car will not win: This class is too unpredictable and the most prone to sandbagging.
What to expect for the full season: Corvette always has a car in the title hunt and I think the #3 Corvette gets a victory or two. Another title is asking a lot.
#4 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C7.R
Drivers: Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, Marcel Fässler
Why this car could win: This team won the class three years ago. It is an experienced trio.
Why this car will not win: The #3 Corvette is hungrier for the victory.
What to expect for the full season: Gavin and Milner have been respectable but I am not sure this pair will be able to dominate. I don't think they will be in the title hunt.
#24 BMW Team RLL BMW M8 GTE
Drivers: John Edwards, Jesse Krohn, Chaz Mostert, Alex Zanardi
Why this car could win: BMW is getting quicker. Edwards and Krohn will have a second season together and only can go up after a tough 2018. Mostert has grown into a GT driver from his Supercars roots. And this car has Alex Zanardi. This car could win on the story alone.
Why this car will not win: BMW might not be there yet. It will be interesting to see how they balance this lineup with Mostert and Zanardi each making debuts.
What to expect for the full season: I think BMW gets better results and with Krohn and Edwards together for a second season they could make massive strides.
#25 BMW Team RLL BMW M8 GTE
Drivers: Connor De Phillippi, Philipp Eng, Colton Herta, Augusto Farfus
Why this car could win: De Phillippi had a lot of success with Alexander Sims last season, but like Edwards a year ago, De Phillippi is now the lead driver. Eng has been a respectable driver and Herta is a thrilling young driver. Farfus has been in this race before and is familiar with the team.
Why this car will not win: A lot of turnover and the team being shaken after Tom Blomqvist, its slated full-time driver to pair with De Phillippi being denied a visa and not going to make it to Daytona. On top of that two drivers are making their 24 Hours of Daytona debut. There could be some kinks to work out.
What to expect for the full season: I think this team gets better as the year goes on. Blomqvist could be the breakout star of the season in the GTLM class.
#62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTE
Drivers: James Calado, Miguel Molina, Alessandro Pier Guidi, Davide Rigon
Why this car could win: Calado and Pier Guidi are world champions. Molina has been quick in the Ferrari program. Rigon is a winner on the global stage.
Why this car will not win: It is a one-off and Risi Competizione has slid back from what it was in the days of the American Le Mans Series.
What to expect for the full season: It will not be full-time but hopefully it does all the North American Endurance Championship races.
#66 Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT
Drivers: Joey Hand, Dirk Müller, Sébastien Bourdais
Why this car could win: It won the class two years ago, it won twice last season and it was second overall in a Ford 1-2 last year at Daytona.
Why this car will not win: Its teammate is strong. That could be the one thing keeping this car from the top step.
What to expect for the full season: This car will be a challenger. It should win at least once. Hand and Müller have a lot of history together. They won a championship together before. It would not be a surprise if they did it again.
#67 Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT
Drivers: Ryan Briscoe, Richard Westbrook, Scott Dixon
Why this car could win: It won last year. Briscoe and Westbrook have been a great duo and adding Dixon only takes the car to another level. On top of that, it was the fastest GTLM entry at the Roar.
Why this car will not win: Repeating is hard to do and it might be the #66 Ford's year. Of course, you can never rule out something going wrong. It is a long race.
What to expect for the full season: This has to be the year Ford takes the championship and I think this car is the favorite of the two to get it. Briscoe and Westbrook has consistently been the best Ford entry.
#911 Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR
Drivers: Nick Tandy, Patrick Pilet, Frédéric Makowiecki
Why this car could win: This car was quick at the test. Tandy and Pilet won this race five years ago. All the Porsche drivers see to click. It is a well-run organization.
Why this car will not win: Ford is on its A-game.
What to expect for the full season: This car won at Sebring and Petit Le Mans and only finished ahead of the #24 BMW in the championship. This car should get better results in the non-endurance races.
#912 Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR
Drivers: Earl Bamber, Laurens Vanthoor, Mathieu Jaminet
Why this car could win: Bamber is great, Vanthoor is equal and Porsche would not put Jaminet in this position if it did not believe he was ready for this situation.
Why this car will not win: Jaminet might be caught out in his first big endurance race in the top class.
What to expect for the full season: Bamber and Vanthoor is a championship-caliber pairing on paper. They only had one victory last year and were good but good isn't enough. Part of me thinks this is the year it clicks and another part thinks this pair will just match what it did last year.
GT Daytona
#8 Starworks Motorsports Audi R8 LMS Evo
Drivers: Parker Chase, Ryan Dalziel, Christopher Haase, Ezequiel Pérez Companc
Why this car could win: This is a really good lineup. Dalziel and Haase bring the experience. Chase is quick for a young driver.
Why this car will not win: It is the team's first race with this car and there are experienced programs out there.
What to expect for the full season: Chase is an impressive young driver and Dalziel is phenomenal. It should not be a surprised if this car is in the title hunt in year one.
#9 Pfaff Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R
Drivers: Scott Hargrove, Zach Robichon, Lars Kern, Dennis Olsen
Why this car could win: Hargrove proved everyone last year in Pirelli World Challenge and Olsen has a lot of experience with Porsche.
Why this car will not win: I am not sure this team has the talent yet to compete for the victory. There is a lot of talent at the top but it isn't there for all four drivers.
What to expect for the full season: Hargrove took a surprise title last year in Pirelli World Challenge. This is another step up. I think Hargrove will have some good days but Robichon will be learning.
#11 GRT Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo
Drivers: Mirko Bortolotti, Christian Engelhart, Rolf Ineichen, Rik Breukers
Why this car could win: It won last year and it is an experienced team.
Why this car will not win: It is coming off a tough Dubai 24 Hour and repeating is hard to do especially for a one-off team that runs primarily in Europe.
What to expect for the full season: This car will not be full-time.
#12 AIM Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3
Drivers: Townsend Bell, Frank Montecalvo, Jeff Segal, Aaron Telitz
Why this car could win: Bell has won this race before, as has Segal. Montecalvo has been a good driver and this is a big break. Telitz makes his firs sports car appearance and he has been reliable and a quick learner in the Road to Indy.
Why this car will not win: This is a new team running the operation. There could be a few things this team has to learn before it can win a race.
What to expect for the full season: Bell has had a lot of success in GT competition including winning the 2015 GTD title. Montecalvo has had success in Pirelli World Challenge and he has finally caught a break. This should be the best Lexus entry but with a new team running the program there could be a few learning experiences.
#13 Via Italia Racing Ferrari 488 GT3
Drivers: Andrea Bertolini, Victor Franzoni, Marcos Gomes, Chico Longo
Why this car could win: It is on the grid.
Why this car will not win: Too much inexperience in this lineup.
What to expect for the full season: It does not appear this car will be full-time.
#14 AIM Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3
Drivers: Jack Hawksworth, Richard Heistand, Austin Cindric, Nick Cassidy
Why this car could win: Hawksworth is the one holdover from the 3GT Racing Lexus program. Cindric has some GT experience and Cassidy is a stud in Japan.
Why this car will not win: These are four drivers coming together without much chemistry.
What to expect for the full season: Hawksworth has a new co-driver and I think there will be some tough days but things will improve over the course of the season.
#19 Moorespeed Audi R8 LMS Evo
Drivers: Will Hardeman, Alex Riberas, Andrew Davis, Markus Winkelhock
Why this car could win: There is plenty of Daytona experience in this team.
Why this car will not win: New team making the step up to GT Daytona.
What to expect for the full season: This is a new team and while Riberas is a good driver there will be a lot of days fighting from behind.
#29 Montaplast by Land-Motorsport Audi R8 LMS Evo
Drivers: Christopher Mies, Daniel Morad, Dries Vanthoor
Why this car could win: It should have won last year if it weren't for a massive penalty for a pit lane violation regarding re-fueling the car.
Why this car will not win: It gets beat on the track or has another violation like last year.
What to expect for the full season: This car will not be full-time.
#33 Mercedes-AMG Team Riley Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3
Drivers: Jeroen Bleekemolen, Ben Keating, Felipe Fraga, Luca Stolz
Why this car could win: Bleekemolen and Keating are consistent winners. Stolz has spent a lot time in this entry and in Mercedes-AMG GT3 entries around the globe.
Why this car will not win: It just seems like Team Riley always has one bad race and it always comes in a big race.
What to expect for the full season: I think this is one of the championship favorites. This team can win anywhere.
#44 Magnus Racing Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo
Drivers: Andy Lally, John Potter, Marco Mapelli, Spencer Pumpelly
Why this car could win: This team has won this race multiple times. Lally, Potter and Pumpelly are American sports car veterans.
Why this car will not win: This is Magnus Racing's first race with Lamborghini. The team might still be getting used to the car.
What to expect for the full season: Lally and Potter are in new machinery but I do not think it will take long for those two to get up to speed. This team could make a title push.
#46 Ebimotors Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo
Drivers: Emanuele Busnelli, Fabio Babini, Giacomo Altoè, Taylor Proto
Why this car could win: A Lamborghini won this race last year and Lamborghini won the GTD title last year.
Why this car will not win: It is a one-off with a few Daytona rookies.
What to expect for the full season: Nothing. It will only be at Daytona.
#47 Precision Performance Motorsports Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo
Drivers: Linus Lundqvist, Miloš Pavlovič, Don Yount, Steve Dunn
Why this car could win: Like the entry above, it is a Lamborghini and Lamborghini did well last year.
Why this car will not win: There are better lineups in this class and I am not sure it could put up a top ten result in class.
What to expect for the full season: This car intends on being full-time but has yet to announce a full-time lineup. Keep your expectations low for this entry.
#48 Paul Miller Racing Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo
Drivers: Bryan Sellers, Ryan Hardwick, Corey Lewis, Andrea Caldarelli
Why this car could win: Defending champions, Sellers and Lewis are back together and Caladrelli has been around the block.
Why this car will not win: Gone is Madison Snow and the team is going to be figuring out the slight change in the lineup.
What to expect for the full season: I don't think this car repeats. Sellers has a new co-driver and there will be a feeling out process. It will have competitive days but not like in 2018.
#51 Spirit of Race Ferrari 488 GT3
Drivers: Paul Dalla Lana, Pedro Lamy, Mathias Lauda, Daniel Serra
Why this car could win: It is Aston Martin's famed GTE-Am lineup plus Serra. These drivers know each other.
Why this car will not win: It is a one off entry and it is not an Aston Martin. It might be an unfamiliar setting.
What to expect for the full season: Daytona and only Daytona.
#57 Meyer Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo
Drivers: Katherine Legge, Simona de Silvestro, Christina Nielsen, Bia Figueiredo
Why this car could win: This car is one of the top five favorites. Legge nearly won the GTD title last year. Nielsen is a two-time GTD champion. De Silvestro should be in IndyCar. Figueiredo is the artist formerly known as Ana Beatriz and this entry was respectable at the test.
Why this car will not win: It gets beat on the racetrack. The other downside is de Silvestra and Figueiredo do not have a lot of endurance race experience.
What to expect for the full season: Legge will have Jackie Heinricher as her co-driver. Heinricher is missing the opening round due to injury. I don't think Legge will be in the title fight and I am not sure it breaks the top ten in the championship.
#63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3
Drivers: Cooper MacNeil, Toni Vilander, Dominik Farnbacher, Jeff Westphal
Why this car could win: Vilander is a champion, Farnbacher should be full-time somewhere and MacNeil has plenty of success.
Why this car will not win: MacNeil has also had his down periods.
What to expect for the full season: MacNeil had a few tough seasons before last year and with Vilander as his co-driver he should be taken that next step forward. This car should be in the championship conversation.
#71 P1 Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3
Drivers: Dominik Baumann, Maximilian Buhk, JC Perez, Fabian Schiller
Why this car could win: Buhk has won a Blancpain Endurance Series championship.
Why this car will not win: It is an unfamiliar team and not many can come in and contend for this race victory.
What to expect for the full season: I am not sure. It might be full-time. It might be NAEC only. This might be its only race.
#73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R
Drivers: Patrick Long, Patrick Lindsey, Matt Campbell, Nick Boulle
Why this car could win: Long is an underrated driver. Lindsey is doing very well in the WEC GTE-Am class, as is Campbell, who is a future Porsche star.
Why this car will not win: I want to say Lindsey or Campbell could be tired from WEC duties but they have been off since November so they should be well rested. This is one of the top five favorites in class.
What to expect for the full season: Long and Lindsey is a great pairing but with Lindsey having the final rounds of the WEC season on his plate during the early portion of the season it would not be a surprise if this team is fighting from behind after the first four rounds.
#86 Meyer Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo
Drivers: Mario Farnbacher, Trent Hindman, A.J. Allmendinger, Justin Marks
Why this car could win: Like his brother, Mario Farnbacher is a driver that should be full-time. Hindman is ready for this move up to full-time GTD driver. Marks has plenty of road course experience and Allmendinger is Allmendinger.
Why this car will not win: Its sister car might be stronger and with Marks and Allmendinger reducing their racing in 2019 I just wonder how prepared they are mentally and physically knowing they will not have the same grind once this race is over.
What to expect for the full season: Hindman is an emerging driver in GT racing and Farnbacher is a reliable driver. If one Acura will be fighting for the GTD title late in the season it is this one.
#88 Audi Sport Team WRT Speedstar Audi R8 LMS Evo
Drivers: Roman de Angelis, Ian James, Kelvin van der Linde, Frédéric Vervisch
Why this car could win: Vervisch is coming off a victory in the Dubai 24 Hour. Van der Linde has his been successful in endurance races around the world. James is a Pirelli World Challenge race winner and he is not new to Daytona.
Why this car will not win: It is a one-off and it is not the best lineup WRT could have brought to this race.
What to expect for the full season: It is a Daytona-only entry.
#96 Turner Motorsport BMW M6 GT3
Drivers: Bill Auberlen, Robby Foley, Dillon Machavern, Jens Klingmann
Why this car could win: A lot of experience with Auberlen and Klingmann in this lineup and Machavern won in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, now the Michelin Pilot Challenge series.
Why this car will not win: I am not sure the BMW will have what it takes.
What to expect for the full season: Auberlen is back in full-time competition and he seems to make a car better. This team won at Watkins Glen last year but I think Auberlen and Foley might not a few races to get things figured out.
#99 Herberth Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R
Drivers: Klaus Bachler, Sven Müller, Steffen Görig, Jürgen Häring, Alfred Renauer
Why this car could win: This team has won the Dubai 24 Hour and Müller brings a lot of talent to the this team.
Why this car will not win: This race is a lot tougher than the Dubai 24 Hour and I am not sure Müller will be enough.
What to expect for the full season: This car will not be full-time.
#540 Black Swan Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R
Drivers: Tim Pappas, Matteo Cairoli, Marco Seefried, Dirk Werner
Why this car could win: This is a really good lineup. Cairoli falls into a similar boat as Campbell. Seefried won this race with Magnus Racing not that long ago. Werner has plenty of Daytona experience.
Why this car will not win: There are a lot of good entries in this field and this team is running a daunting schedule with a race in Bathurst next week. It is asking a lot to balance 36 hours of racing a week apart and between the United States and Australia.
What to expect for the full season: This car will be at all the NAEC rounds while running the Intercontinental GT Challenge.
The 24 Hours of Daytona will begin at 2:35 p.m. ET on Saturday January 26th. NBCSN will broadcast from 2:00 p.m. ET to 5:00 p.m. ET before streaming coverage on the NBC Sports app will pick up coverage from 5:00 p.m. ET to 9:00 p.m. ET. NBCSN will be back on the air from 9:00 p.m. ET to 3:00 a.m. ET.
From 3:00 a.m. ET to 6:00 a.m. ET on Sunday January 27th, the NBC Sports app will have coverage. NBCSN will pick up coverage at 6:00 a.m. ET and will show through the finish with a half-hour post-race concluding at 3:00 p.m. ET.
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