DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Roger Penske entered his 59th season in motorsports as a reigning champion, mirroring his successful end to the previous year. On Sunday, Porsche Penske Motorsport triumphed in the Rolex 24 at Daytona for the second year in a row, marking the team’s third overall win in this prestigious event, which further highlights Penske’s dominance demonstrated throughout the last season.
Starting off 2024 with a victory at the most esteemed sports car race in North America, Penske celebrated his 20th win at the Indianapolis 500, captured a third consecutive NASCAR championship, and secured titles in both the World Endurance Championship and IMSA for his two Porsches. Returning to the Daytona International Speedway, the site of Team Penske’s inception in 1966, Penske made a victorious return to the spotlight. At nearly 88 years old, he remained engaged with the team from the timing stand throughout the entire 24-hour marathon.
The team’s two cars showcased exemplary performance, securing first and third place in this grueling endurance competition. Following a series of setbacks among rival entries in the top prototype class, the Porsches maintained first and second positions for significant stretches of the race, culminating in a win for the No. 7 full-time IMSA entry, achieved with a different driver lineup. Penske reflected on the day, expressing pride in the organization’s achievements. He noted, “What an incredible day for the entire Porsche Penske Motorsport organization. Both of our Porsche 963s and the drivers showed great speed and reliability. The crews performed flawlessly, thanks to the meticulous preparation by every team member.”
The victory also marked a significant milestone as Team Penske celebrated its third overall win at the Rolex 24 and Porsche’s 20th win. Felipe Nasr, who won the previous year alongside Dane Cameron and Josef Newgarden, returned, but this time partnered with Nick Tandy and Laurens Vanthoor, the reigning WEC champion. Nasr secured his second overall victory at Daytona and later expressed immense pride in being part of the team orchestrated by Penske himself.
Nasr specifically acknowledged Penske’s influence, saying, “The feeling is amazing, just to see how much energy he brings into the team. You get out of the car, and he’s asking about the car’s performance. His attention to detail is inspiring, and it elevates the entire team.” Despite the dominance of the No. 7 car, the race was challenging until the end. Penske’s No. 6 car briefly took the lead in the final hour, but Nasr managed to reclaim the top position in a tight contest with Matt Campbell, ultimately finishing the race ahead.
Penske commented on his team’s performance, stating, “These guys are racers, and fortunately, we didn’t get into trouble. The whole team did a terrific job. We had strong performances from our drivers throughout the event. This Porsche we have has been amazing, and it’s incredible to think we achieved victory two years in a row. It speaks volumes about everyone involved.”
BMW M Team RLL entered two competitive cars, with one engaging in a tight race for the lead against Nasr, but they encountered problems that hampered their ability to maintain a consistent pace. Meyer Shank Racing also faced issues, starting with a suspension problem in one car and subsequent damage to the other car leading to challenges later in the race.
In the finale, while Tom Blomqvist managed to pass Penske’s No. 6, earning second place for Meyer Shank, the other Penske Porsche finished third. Challenges emerged for all three Cadillacs in the prototype class, with one entry from Wayne Taylor Racing retiring shortly after it had taken the lead with driver Kamui Kobayashi at the wheel.
