What Is 2019 24 Hours of Daytona

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 24 Hours of Daytona took place from January 26–27, 2019, at Daytona International Speedway in Florida. The winning team was Wayne Taylor Racing, with drivers Jordan Taylor, Renger van der Zande, Kamui Kobayashi, and Fernando Alonso, completing 783 laps.

Key Facts

The 2019 24 Hours of Daytona occurred on January 26–27, 2019.
Wayne Taylor Racing won with drivers Jordan Taylor, Renger van der Zande, Kamui Kobayashi, and Fernando Alonso.
The race covered 783 laps, totaling approximately 3,100 miles.
It was the first race of the 2019 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.
Fifteen cars were entered in the DPi class, the top prototype category.

Overview

The 2019 24 Hours of Daytona, officially known as the Rolex 24 at Daytona, marked the 57th running of the endurance race held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Florida. This prestigious event kicked off the 2019 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season and attracted top drivers and teams from around the world.

As one of the most grueling endurance races in motorsports, the 2019 edition tested teams over 24 continuous hours on a 3.56-mile combined road course. The race featured four major classes: Daytona Prototype international (DPi), Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2), GT Le Mans (GTLM), and GT Daytona (GTD), each with unique technical regulations and competitive dynamics.

Start Date: The race began at 2:40 PM Eastern Time on January 26, 2019, under clear skies and mild temperatures.
Winning Team: Wayne Taylor Racing secured victory in the DPi class with their No. 10 Acura ARX-05 prototype.
Winning Drivers: Jordan Taylor, Renger van der Zande, Kamui Kobayashi, and four-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso completed the full rotation.
Distance Covered: The winning car completed 783 laps, equivalent to approximately 2,788 miles (4,487 km).
Weather Conditions: The race experienced only minor delays due to brief rain showers, with most of the event run under dry conditions.

How It Works

The Rolex 24 at Daytona is structured as a 24-hour endurance race where teams must balance speed, reliability, and strategy across multiple driver shifts, pit stops, and mechanical challenges.

Endurance Format: The race runs continuously for 24 hours, requiring teams to manage driver fatigue, fuel consumption, and mechanical wear. Each car must complete as many laps as possible within the time limit.
Driver Rotation: Each team fields 3–4 drivers who rotate during mandatory pit stops; no single driver can exceed 14 hours behind the wheel during the full event.
Pit Stops: Refueling, tire changes, and mechanical adjustments are performed during scheduled or unscheduled pit stops, with each stop requiring precision and speed.
Class Competition: Cars compete in separate classes (DPi, LMP2, GTLM, GTD), each with distinct performance levels, but all share the track simultaneously, creating complex traffic dynamics.
Scoring System: Points are awarded based on finishing position within each class, with the overall winner determined by laps completed in the DPi category.
Safety Protocols: The race includes multiple safety cars and caution periods; in 2019, there were 9 full-course cautions totaling 98 minutes of neutralized racing.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top five finishing teams in the 2019 Rolex 24 at Daytona by class, laps completed, and average speed.

Team	Class	Car	Laps Completed	Average Speed
Wayne Taylor Racing	DPi	Acura ARX-05	783	132.7 mph
Ed Carpenter Racing	LMP2	Oreca 07	775	131.1 mph
Corvette Racing	GTLM	Corvette C7.R	732	124.3 mph
Paul Miller Racing	GTD	Lamborghini Huracán GT3	728	123.8 mph
VisitFlorida Racing	DPi	Extreme Speed Motorsports Ligier	779	132.0 mph

This table highlights the dominance of the winning Acura prototype, which completed the most laps and maintained the highest average speed. The gap between DPi and lower classes reflects differences in aerodynamics, engine power, and team strategy, with GTD cars averaging over 9 mph slower than DPi leaders.

Why It Matters

The 2019 24 Hours of Daytona had significant implications for motorsport, manufacturer branding, and driver careers, especially with high-profile participants like Fernando Alonso aiming to complete the Triple Crown of Motorsport.

Manufacturer Prestige: Acura earned a major victory with its ARX-05, boosting its reputation in North American endurance racing after a competitive debut season.
Driver Legacy: Fernando Alonso’s participation elevated global attention, marking his first major race in the IMSA series as part of his quest for the Triple Crown.
Team Strategy: Wayne Taylor Racing’s flawless execution in pit cycles and driver management set a benchmark for endurance race planning.
Technical Innovation: The race served as a real-world testbed for hybrid systems, tire durability, and fuel efficiency under extreme conditions.
Championship Impact: As the season opener, results directly influenced early standings in the IMSA championship, giving leaders a psychological and points advantage.
Global Viewership: The event drew over 2.1 million viewers on NBC, highlighting its growing popularity and broadcast reach.

The 2019 edition reinforced Daytona’s status as a premier endurance race, blending elite competition with technological advancement and international star power.