The precursor to the twice-around-the-clock endurance classic, the Rolex 24 at Daytona, begins next weekend (16-18 January) as teams receive their first on-track opportunity of the 2026 season.

Three series will make up the Roar Before the 24 weekend, highlighted by a pair of opening rounds for the VP Racing Fuels SportsCar Challenge at the “World Center of Racing,” Daytona International Speedway.

Across the three series, there are numerous changes to the entry lists, along with several new team and driver combinations set to take the track for the first time.

With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know heading into the Roar Before the 24.

WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

A total of 60 cars now make up the Rolex 24 field for the Roar testing weekend, following the withdrawal of LMP2 entry Team Tonis.

Since the provisional entry list was released in December, many teams have finalized their driver lineups for the upcoming race. Notable additions include Connor Zilisch (#31 Whelen Cadillac, GTP), Scott McLaughlin (#36 DXDT Corvette, GTD), Logan Sargeant (#18 Era Oreca, LMP2), Nick Tandy (#77 AO Racing Porsche, GTD Pro), and Harry Tincknell (#52 BHA/PR1 Oreca, LMP2).

Unlike past seasons, competitors in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will take part exclusively in practice sessions during the Roar weekend, with qualifying scheduled for the Thursday prior to the Rolex 24 at Daytona, consistent with last season’s format.

Teams will be allotted seven on-track sessions throughout the weekend, highlighted by a single night practice on Saturday and a final late-afternoon session on Sunday.

Michelin Pilot Challenge

Similar to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the Michelin Pilot Challenge will also be limited to practice sessions during the Roar weekend.

The Michelin Pilot Challenge is set to undergo several changes in 2026, with a mix of new and returning teams and drivers making their series debuts. A total of 49 cars—34 Grand Sport (GSX) entries and 15 TCR entries—will contest the four-hour season opener, scheduled for the Friday prior to the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Among the new and returning teams entering the field are Shopify Racing, Heart of Racing Team, Koch-Copeland Motorsports, ST Racing by Random Vandals, and Stallion Motorsports.

Notable drivers set to compete include Luca Mars (#95 Turner BMW, GSX), Samantha Tan (#38 ST Racing BMW, GSX), Jack Hawksworth (#23 Koch-Copeland Motorsports Toyota, GSX), and Mario Farnbacher (#72 Pegram Racing Honda, TCR).

Additionally, in the brand’s second season competing in IMSA, Cupra will field four entries in 2026, split between Gou Racing/Stallion Motorsports and Victor Gonzalez Racing.

The Michelin Pilot Challenge will have five practice sessions scheduled throughout the Roar weekend.

VP Racing Fuels SportsCar Challenge

The VP Racing Fuels SportsCar Challenge will kick off its 2026 season with the only two races scheduled during the Roar weekend.

A total of 20 cars are set to take the green flag, consisting of nine LMP3 entries and 11 GSX cars. Notably, no GTDX entries are slated to compete in the season-opening event, although the class remains eligible for competition throughout the championship.

Much of the field remains unchanged from last season, with new additions including Goldcrest Motorsports, driven by Grammy Award–winning producer Jim Jonsin, as well as the recently announced Shopify Racing, which will be operated by Twoth Autosport.

Other notable competitors expected to take part include Justin Di Benedetto and Westin Workman.

As previously noted, the VP Racing Fuels SportsCar Challenge season begins Saturday afternoon with a 40-minute opening race and concludes on Sunday. Two practice sessions and a qualifying session will precede the pair of races.