Nasr on “Incredible Moment” of Overall Rolex 24 Three-Peat

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Felipe Nasr has reflected on the “incredible moment” of becoming a three-time overall Rolex 24 at Daytona winner.

The Porsche Penske Motorsport driver earned his fourth class win in the Florida endurance classic and third consecutive, taking the No. 7 Porsche 963 that he shared with Julien Andlauer and Laurin Heinrich to the win over the No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac V-Series.R of Jack Aitken.

While the pair of Penske Porsches were firmly in command for much of the race, several other GTP contender, namely the Action Express entry, came to life in the closing stages of the race, which was impacted by a six-plus hour long safety car period for fog.

A strategy snafu by the then-leading No. 6 Porsche of Laurens Vanthoor ultimately put Nasr’s co-driver Julien Andlauer into the lead following the final restart with two hours and 16 minutes to go.

“I was just trying everything I could because I knew when it comes to those final hours, everybody is giving everything they have inside the car, and the Cadillac was always a strong car all race long,” said Nasr.

“We could see that on the times, and every time we drove by them… I have to acknowledge that the level of this race is getting higher and higher with all this GTP class.

“That was pure racing. I used everything I had. I’m just pleased it happened and went our way.”

Nasr not only delivered Porsche Penske’s third consecutive overall win in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener but also Porsche’s 21st overall win in the Rolex 24, extending the German manufacturer’s all-time record in its 75th year of motorpsort.

Additionally, the Brazilian has joined the likes of Peter Gregg and Helio Castroneves as the only drivers to have achieved three consecutive overall Rolex 24 wins.

Out of the three late-race battles, all of which Nasr served as the closing driver, Nasr said this year’s with Aitken was the closest fight.

“There were a lot of cases that the 31 was pretty close to making a move on us,” he said.

“A couple of times I had to pick my line and brake as late as I could, and I could see he was also trying everything he could. Like I said, [there were] excellent drivers on the 31, and they were not going to let us win that easy.

“It’s just an incredible moment to be present today and be feeling it, and I cannot without mentioning these two guys next to me that they’ve done an incredible job.

“It’s our first time together in the car and starting the year with a victory like here at Daytona is just a dream come true.”

Nasr Recalls “Secret” First Meeting With Roger Penske

Nasr, who now holds a close bond with team owner Roger Penske, recalled his first meeting with ‘The Captain’ back in 2021 shortly after Porsche Penske Motorsport was announced.

At the time, he and fellow countryman Pipo Derani were leading the WeatherTech Championship DPi standings in an Action Express Cadillac DPi-V.R, and eventually went on to win the championship that year.

“I think that was 2021,” he recalled. “It was mid-season and I had to do a meeting as the championship was going on, and I was on my way to get another DPi championship.

“It was kind of a secret meeting and I think I showed up to this place… I can’t just say all the details, but I was a little worried and I thought I could walk the distance, but I never checked the weather outside.

“I was inside some kind of restaurant and I was just taking a drink and just waiting on time. I said, “OK, I’d better start walking.’

”But it was very warm that day, and those five minutes I walked, I was like, ‘That was not a good move’ because I started to sweat. I’m like, ‘I’m going to look nervous now. What are those guys going to say?’

“I said, ‘Well, it’s too late now.’

“Then comes up this car, rolls down the window, it was Roger saying “Hey, you’re the driver, come on board, let’s talk.

“From that moment on, I knew something special was about to unfold.

“I did send Roger an email when I read the news that Porsche and Penske were getting together, and I said, one day I want to drive for your organization.

“It took him a few weeks to reply, and he said, ‘Now is the time if you are available, come see us.’ And the rest is history.”

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