DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—With two hours left of 24, the IMSA WeatherTech Rolex 24 at Daytona is entering its decisive phase.
While any of the first 22 hours can create a loser, the final two or three stints usually determine the winner of this day-long endurance contest.
Teams need to strategize: when to pit, which drivers to use, whether to take ties for greater speed or double-stint and save track position. Should the team short-fill to gain track position and hope to hold it on a full final stop, or plan for a timed fill for the last stop? If a caution comes, should the car come in or stay out?
Any team with a car still running now has a chance to make the efforts of the previous 22 hours pay off—and an equal chance to make all that effort pointless.
The entire race before noon on Sunday is prelude. Now the race really begins.
