At the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona, four NASCAR drivers showcased their talents, demonstrating the versatility and competitiveness of stock car racing racers outside their typical domain. The event, held from January 28 to 29 at the Daytona International Speedway, featured drivers who represented both established and new teams and provided plenty of intense and thrilling moments throughout the 24-hour endurance race.
Leading the charge was Roger Penske's No. 7 Porsche, steered to victory by the dynamic trio of Felipe Nasr, Nicky Tandy, and Laurens Vanthoor. This victory added yet another feather to the cap of the renowned racing organization, securing them the overall win for the second consecutive year. Throughout the race, the No. 7 Porsche exhibited remarkable reliability and speed, battling not only for the top spot but also engaging its sister car, the No. 6 Porsche, which eventually finished third overall. Fans were treated to several breathtaking moments as the top teams jockeyed for position.
Meanwhile, the performance of the NASCAR-driven Trackhouse by TF Sport’s No. 91 Corvette also captured attention. Though the team finished 9th out of 15 cars in GTD Pro (25th overall), driver Connor Zilisch was undoubtedly the standout, clocking impressive lap times and showcasing remarkable skills throughout his stints. The team recorded its best lap of 1:47.430 on lap 507 of the 722 total laps completed. Zilisch, who previously clinched victory at the 24 Hours of LMP2, opened and closed the race with strong performances. Unfortunately, with just one hour remaining, Zilisch spun out entering turn one and received a penalty for the incident, thereby squashing hopes of achieving a podium finish.
Team dynamics were particularly engaging, as Zilisch shared the car with Shane Van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin, both of whom have histories racing together back home in Australia. Their camaraderie added excitement for fans familiar with their past races and proved to be beneficial on the track.
Austin Cindric, another NASCAR star, took to the road with Ford Multimatic Motorsports, piloting the No. 64 Ford Mustang GT3. The team performed admirably, finishing third within the GTD Pro class, with the sister No. 65 Mustang grabbing first position. Cindric's team completed 723 laps, with their best lap time recorded at 1:50.010. The consistent and strong performance by Cindric demonstrated his adaptability and competitiveness across different racing categories.
Parker Kligerman, making his inaugural appearance at the Rolex 24, balanced dual roles as both driver and commentator. The 34-year-old Connecticut native expressed his excitement leading up to the event, calling it a “bucket-list race” he had wanted to participate in for the past 20 years. He joined the Forte Racing team, driving the No. 78 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2, sharing the driving duties with Misha Goikhberg, Mario Farnbacher, and Franck Perera. Despite the team’s early promise and Kligerman's considerable effort, the No. 78 experienced trouble on the track, crashing soon after Kligerman's stint as they entered turn one during a restart, putting their hopes of victory to rest.
Kligerman's transition from being behind the wheel to the broadcast booth has been fluid since he retired from full-time NASCAR racing last fall. Reflecting on the challenges, he admitted, "At the test, the funniest part was, by the end of the second day, we looked at all my peak pressures — 1,250," as he adapted to the greater demands of racing endurance cars. This experience served to ease some of his nerves, as he noted the importance of preparation for this new challenge. Kligerman remains busy, balancing his part-time Truck Series schedule, NBC pit reporter commitments, and contributions as an analyst for upcoming Xfinity Series broadcasts on CW.
With thrilling performances from NASCAR’s finest and the return of established teams to battle for supremacy, the 2025 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona brought excitement to motorsport fans worldwide. The event highlighted the adaptability and competitive spirit of drivers accustomed to different forms of racing, leaving impressionable marks on the event and excitement for future races to come.