Expanded Rolex 24 Grid “Not Possible” Due to Pit Lane Space

Photo: Brandon Badraoui/IMSA

IMSA President John Doonan said it’s currently “not possible” to accommodate more cars for the Rolex 24 at Daytona not only due to pit lane limitations but also paddock space at Daytona International Speedway.

Next year’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener is likely to remain at a capacity 61-car grid, despite an ever-increasing interest level of competitors wanting to take part in the Florida endurance classic.

Speaking to reporters earlier this month at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta following its annual ‘State of the Sport’ address, Doonan confirmed that there’s no immediate solution in place to permit a larger field than seen in recent years.

“We only have so many spots on pit lane,” he said. “The number lately has been 61, but we’ll see.

“Based on interest, I think we’ll at least get there, because at one point in the entry process, based on people that expressed interest, we were north of 80. Mid-80s in fact.

“When you start looking at those kinds of numbers, you start worrying about paddock space and pit lane space and parking and things like that. That’s probably what you’ll see.”

When asked if it’s possible for a pit lane expansion or renovation in the future, Doonan admitted it’s “a tough one.”

“You’d have to work with Frank Kelleher and the team at Daytona International Speedway to figure that out, but at the moment, I’d say that’s not possible to add any more spaces,” he said.

“Even when you add those spaces… I’m not sure you could find another place to park a transporter in the infield at the ‘World Center of Racing’.

“It’s unique for me after going to Daytona… when the grid walk for the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge race at the Roar looks like a Rolex 24 grid walk four years ago. And now, to have the entire [stadium] there in the infield tri-oval filled with people, to have pit lane so packed you can’t see the race cars is really unique.

“And to see the fans go up into the stands, especially for the early hours of the race, we had a video recently that we showed and we had to make sure people knew that was not the Daytona 500, that was actually the Rolex 24, because the stands were packed.

“[We’re] really proud of that for us as a platform and for anybody that’s participating.”

Kelleher: Daytona International Speedway “Handcuffed” to 61 Pit Stalls

Speaking with Sportscar365, DIS track president Frank Kelleher said there’s been discussions on what could be done if the facility could ‘scrape the infield clean’ while maintaining the road course layout, and start with a clean sheet, although admitted it’s more of an aspirational dream.

“We want to be able to grow,” said Kelleher. “We are handcuffed to 61 pit stalls being the max.

“Can we squeeze one or two more in? Sure. Have we shoehorned in, yes, but as an operator, I don’t like to live my life thinking of the worst-case scenario.

“From a competition standpoint, that’s to me where the buck stops. We need to keep the race teams safe, we need to keep the athletes safe.

“When it comes to that, I’m happy with what we’re doing because that’s where we could deliver the best and safest experience for the teams.

“But Mr. France reminds me of these stories of, ‘There was a year when we had 70-plus teams and they were sharing pits.’

“I just don’t know if we’re going to be able to pull that off in today’s environment.”

Kelleher echoed Doonan’s sentiments in saying the current challenge of narrowing down the Rolex 24 entry to 61 cars actually shows the growth of the sport as a whole, but acknowledged that DIS needs to “grow” with IMSA as well.

“This is a nod to Ed Bennett and John Doonan and the product that IMSA has,” he said.

“Every year they’re introducing a new OEM or they’re making a new announcement. We’ve got to get ready to grow with them because we don’t want to an about-face at what got IMSA to this space.

“We don’t want to be telling teams ‘no we don’t have space for you anymore.’

“We’re proud of the product that we’re able to deliver to date but we definitely have our sights set on what the future-facing infield [could] look like at the ‘World’s Center of Racing.'”

Jonathan Grace contributed to this report

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John