The 64th Rolex 24 at Daytona qualifying session delivered drama for New Zealand fans, with Kiwi drivers making their mark across the field – but the spotlight fell squarely on Earl Bamber and the No. 31 Cadillac Whelen V-Series.R after a post-qualifying technical failure cost them pole position.
Originally, the red No. 31 Cadillac, shared by Jack Aitken, Bamber, Frederik Vesti, and Connor Zilisch, had claimed pole, with Aitken setting a best lap of 1:33.939. It would have been the second pole in three years for Cadillac.
However, post-session scrutiny revealed that the car’s rear skid block exceeded allowable wear limits, stripping the team of its top starting spot and relegating it to the back of the 11-car GTP field.
That adjustment handed pole to the No. 93 Acura ARX-06 of Renger van der Zande, Nick Yelloly, Alex Palou, and Kakunoshin Ohta, marking van der Zande’s first Motul Pole Award since 2018.
Louis Delétraz in the No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R alongside co-drivers Colton Herta and Jordan Taylor kept a Cadillac on the front row with second, while two-time defending Rolex 24 winner Felipe Nasr secured third in the No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 with Laurin Heinrich and Julien Andlauer sharing driving duties this weekend.
Kiwi interest remained strong across the GTP field. Scott Dixon and his Acura Meyer Shank Racing teammates – Tom Blomqvist, Colin Braun, and AJ Allmendinger – qualified fifth but moved up a row following the No. 31 penalty, putting the No. 60 Acura ARX-06 on the second row alongside other front-runners. Dixon posted a best lap of 1:34.235, keeping the Kiwis in prime contention for the 24-hour classic.
In LMP2, New Zealanders also featured prominently. Nick Cassidy, co-driving the No. 343 Inter Europol Competition ORECA 07 with Jakub Smiechowski, George Kolovos, and Nolan Siegel, qualified fifth in class (17th overall) with a 1:40.834.
Hunter McElrea, racing for United Autosports USA in the No. 2 ORECA LMP2 07 alongside Mikkel Jensen, Phil Fayer, and Ben Hanley, was ninth in class (21st overall), posting a 1:41.279.
The GTD class showcased Kiwi speed as well. Scott McLaughlin, in the No. 36 DXDT Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R with Mason Filippi, Charlie Eastwood, and Salih Yoluc, qualified fourth in class (29th overall) with a lap of 1:45.274.
Meanwhile, Ryan Yardley and his Muehlner Motorsports America Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), co-driven with Peter Ludwig, Dave Musial, and Dave Musial Jr., set a 1:47.682, placing 18th in GTD (58th overall).
Across Daytona, the Kiwi drivers demonstrated pace and consistency, though none were immune to the drama that unfolded with the No. 31 Cadillac.
For Bamber, Aitken, and the Cadillac Whelen crew, what began as a front-row triumph quickly became a test of resilience – a reminder that in endurance racing, qualifying glory is only part of the journey.
With the Rolex 24 grid set, all eyes will be on Daytona on race day as New Zealand’s representatives look to convert their mixed qualifying runs into succesful race results. The race is scheduled for Sunday, 7:40AM NZDT.
Full Qualifying Results Click HERE
Header Image: Michael Levitt/IMSA
