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Corvette C8.R. [Eddie LePine Photo]

Corvette C8.R. [Eddie LePine Photo]

By Jack Webster & Eddie LePine

The Roar before the 24 is behind us, the teams are making last-minute adjustments to their cars, final travel arrangements are being made and without doubt, everyone in motorsport is ready for the 2020 IMSA season to get truly underway with the first major race of the season – The Rolex 24 at Daytona

We will be making our annual pilgrimage to Daytona for the Rolex, arriving the middle of next week to report on all the goings on for our racingnation.com readers.

The new Porsche 911 RSR. [Eddie LePine Photo]The new Porsche 911 RSR. [Eddie LePine Photo]
Corvette C8.R. [Eddie LePine Photo]Corvette C8.R. [Eddie LePine Photo]
Colton Herta is back to defend his GTLM win last year. [Eddie LePine Photo]Colton Herta is back to defend his GTLM win last year. [Eddie LePine Photo]
Prep at the Roar for Wayne Taylor Racing. [Eddie LePine Photo]Prep at the Roar for Wayne Taylor Racing. [Eddie LePine Photo]
Checking the Michelin tires. [Eddie LePine Photo]Checking the Michelin tires. [Eddie LePine Photo]

Of course, as is usual, today the weather in Daytona in sunny and 75 degrees, while the race looks to be in the 60’s with a fair chance of rain (at least that is what the current extended forecast says). The evening and overnight looks to be decent, with temps in the 50’s.

If you are coming to Daytona for the Rolex 24, just be prepared for anything as far as the weather goes. It is a lesson we have learned from our many, many years of coming to Daytona in January. The changes in the weather over the course of the 24-hour race can be many and quite sudden – from rain squalls, to heavy fog to bright sunshine. Perhaps that is why winning the Rolex 24 is such a challenge for race teams – this race doesn’t let you relax for one minute, it is always throwing new obstacles in your way. You have to beat the weather, as well as the competitors on the track.

The 2020 edition of the Rolex 24 looks really great on paper, and the race itself will likely at least equal if not exceed all expectations. With the outright speed of the DPi cars (led by Mazda with a new all-time track record set during the Roar), to the highly anticipated battle of the new GTLM cars led by Porsche and Corvette, to the great depth of the GTD class and greatly expanded LMP2 class, the Rolex 24 at Daytona this year looks to be a fantastic event.

Following up on IMSA’s very successful 50th Anniversary season in 2019, the 2020 season looks to be just as great, if not greater.

We are packing our gear and getting ready to head to Daytona, just like all the teams, drivers and spectators from around the world.

Daytona International Speedway is aptly named the World Center of Racing, and next week for the Rolex 24, it will certainly live up to its name.

We are looking forward to seeing you there.

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