PRESS RELEASE-Geneva, 14 January 2026 – When the Rolex clock strikes 1.40 p.m. on Saturday 24 January, drivers and their machines will set out on a journey like no other for the 2026 Rolex 24 At DAYTONA. Across 24 hours, they will take on one of motor sport’s greatest tests, in which timing is everything. This year carries particular significance as Rolex celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Oyster, a watch that made motoring history just a short distance from Daytona International Speedway®. In 1933, this iconic timepiece adorned the wrist of Sir Malcolm Campbell as he drove his car Bluebird to a record-breaking speed of 272 mph (438 km/h) on Daytona Beach. It was this pioneering moment that laid the foundations for the Swiss watchmaker’s enduring commitment to motor sport and Daytona, the birthplace of speed.
Almost a century on, Rolex’s support of racing at Daytona has deepened further, with the ever-present 24-hour countdown clock keeping time for competitors as they navigate each lap, through day and night at the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA. From the seconds that shape pit stops to the driver stints and changes, time is the invisible force that lies at the heart of every decision taken and every move made. It is a driver’s constant companion, their fiercest rival and the definition of their achievement. Having competed at the event in 2024 and finished third overall, Rolex Testimonee Jenson Button who recently retired from professional racing says:
“The Rolex 24 At DAYTONA is the perfect way to kick off the endurance racing season. The atmosphere is so pure, with flat-out racing for 24 hours. You are pushing the limit the entire time, with speeds up to 200 mph (322 km/h), steep banking, strong G-forces and a short track that encourages lots of overtaking. Every component of these complex cars is maximized and there’s never a moment’s rest. I’m excited to return to Daytona next week and to witness the action as a spectator for a change.”
The world’s leading manufacturers will return to the track next week for the race’s 64th edition. The grid will feature 60 cars across four categories, including 11 Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) entries from five manufacturers. Competing in a variety of classes, some of motor sport’s most famous names will battle the elements and their own limits. Porsche Penske Motorsport remains a top contender as the team aims for its third consecutive title after taking its 20th overall victory last year.
With five overall wins each, American legends and members of the Rolex family Hurley Haywood and Scott Pruett are the most successful drivers in the history of the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA. Pruett last graced the top of the podium in 2013 and was awarded a specially engraved Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in recognition of his accomplishment. Reflecting on the importance of timing, Pruett says:
“The Rolex 24 is an iconic event, and the multiple pit stops, driver changes and challenging weather conditions are a true test of human and machine against the clock. You feel every moment of time during the race; the difference between winning and losing is often just seconds, with competition tight until the chequered flag. And at the end of it, it’s all about the Rolex watch. It’s a fantastic reward after an incredibly gruelling 24 hours.”
Rolex’s partnership with Daytona International Speedway® began in the late 1950s. This year marks the 60th anniversary since the race transitioned from its original shorter format into the 24-hour contest it is today. The relationship with the Swiss watchmaker has flourished during this time. The Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona was born in 1963, and the brand’s support was officially reflected in the naming of the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA in 1992. Today the company’s clocks keep time at endurance races across the globe, and its watches continue to be worn by drivers who push the boundaries of what is possible behind the wheel. Keeping with tradition, the winning drivers at the 2026 Rolex 24 At DAYTONA will receive their own specially engraved Daytona in recognition of the skill and resilience required to conquer time. A timepiece forever sharing its name with the speedway and one born to race since the very beginning.
