Cadillac, Ford Control Qualifying for the 2017 Rolex 24 at Daytona

Alessando Balzan in the #63 Scuderia Corse Ferrari passes Andrew Davis in the #57 Stevenson Racing Audi during GTD-class qualifying for the 2017 Rolex 24. Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—The grid is set for the 55th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

In truth, the starting grid for a 24-hour race is basically meaningless—if there is a pileup at the start, the first few cars might avoid it, but there is rarely a pile-up because no one gets to o crazy at the start of a day-long endurance race.

Pole position for a 24-hour race like the Rolex is more about bragging rights, and having a reason to praise the crews. Some teams don’t even try to contest qualifying, preferring to work on their race set-ups. Some teams use their quickest drivers, some teams don’t.

Still, qualifying is the first time fans and teams get to see what the cars can really do—at least, the cars from teams which make the effort.

And some of those teams made most effective efforts.

Joao Barbosa in the #5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi V.R won the pole for the 2017 IMA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship Rolex 24 at Daytona. Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times