New Zealand driver Hunter McElrea is set to take on one of the biggest challenges of his sports car career, joining United Autosports USA for the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona as the team looks to defend its LMP2 crown.
The 24-year-old, who has built a strong reputation in endurance racing over the past two seasons, will drive the No. 2 ORECA 07-Gibson alongside Phil Fayer, Ben Hanley, and Mikkel Jensen.
The quartet will form one of two United Autosports entries for the twice-around-the-clock classic, with the team targeting a second consecutive class victory at the prestigious Florida event.
McElrea and Jensen arrive at United Autosports following a highly successful spell with TDS Racing, where the duo became back-to-back IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup LMP2 champions.
Together with teammate Steven Thomas, they claimed four race victories across the 2024 and 2025 seasons, including standout wins at Indianapolis and Petit Le Mans, as well as multiple podiums at Sebring.
Now, McElrea will bring that winning pedigree to United Autosports, a team co-owned by McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown and Richard Dean, as it prepares to build on two strong seasons in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
“Winning the 24 Hours of Daytona is a monumental achievement, and one which we are extremely proud of,” said CEO Richard Dean.
“Going for back-to-back victories is bold, but with two line-ups that combine proven race-winning experience and exciting new additions like Hunter and Mikkel, we believe we’re in the strongest position possible to defend our title.”
United Autosports’ second entry, the No. 22 ORECA 07, will see Daniel Goldburg, Paul di Resta, and Rasmus Lindh return to the squad, joined by Gregoire Saucy, who switches from the team’s WEC LMGT3 program after finishing second in this year’s Qatar 1812km.
For McElrea, his Daytona drive marks the next chapter in a rapidly growing endurance career. After transitioning from open-wheel racing in the United States, the Kiwi has become one of the rising stars in prototype competition, with a blend of outright pace and consistency that has earned him multiple titles and wins in some of North America’s toughest endurance events.
The 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona will take place from January 22–26, preceded by the traditional Roar Before the 24 test days on January 16–18.
Header Image: IMSA
