Qualifying Race at Roar to Set Rolex 24 Starting Grid

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

IMSA officials announced Thursday a 100-minute qualifying race to be held on Sunday, Jan. 24 that will set the starting grid for the 59th Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The Motul Pole Award 100 will include two drivers per car, with winners receiving Motul Pole Awards.

“The Rolex 24 At Daytona is a special event that is worthy of a unique qualifying format,” said IMSA President John Doonan.

“Not unlike the Daytona 500, which has set its field through the Duel At Daytona qualifying races for decades, introducing the Motul Pole Award 100 qualifying race for the Rolex 24 brings a new and exciting dynamic to the Roar.”

All five classes will compete in the qualifying race, with LMP2, LMP3 and GT Daytona classes required to use Pro-Am lineups as normal IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship sprint races.

In addition to establishing the starting positions for the Rolex 24 on Jan. 30-31, points will be awarded to all finishing positions under the new-for-2021 qualifying points system.

Fifteen minute qualifying sessions will be held on Sat. Jan 23 to set the grid for the qualifying race, while a 20-minute warmup session limited to Motul Pole Award 100 drivers will also be held on Sunday morning.

Specific regulations will be communicated in detail in the “near future” according to a statement from IMSA.

Both practice sessions on Friday, Jan. 22 and the two practice sessions on Sat., Jan. 23 – including a two-hour night practice session – will be open to all drivers entered in the Rolex 24.

Single-day tickets to the Roar are available now, with fans holding four-day and two-day wristbands for the Rolex 24 receiving access to the weekend for free.

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