Roar Before the Rolex 24 2025

The 2025 Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway marked the first competitive running of the season for Action Express Racing and the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R ahead of the opening round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Across the three-day test event, the focus for the No. 31 program was clear: refine the baseline setup, validate reliability improvements over long runs, and integrate the driver lineup smoothly into race-weekend rhythm. The Roar is less about headline lap times and more about building the foundation for 24-hour performance — and the Whelen Cadillac approached it with that mindset.

The car showed encouraging pace throughout both short qualifying simulations and extended race-trim stints. In the ultra-competitive GTP category, where margins are measured in tenths, the No. 31 consistently ran within the lead group across multiple sessions, demonstrating balance through the infield and strong stability on the banking — a critical combination at Daytona.

Just as importantly, the team completed its planned endurance simulations without major interruption, gathering valuable data on tire wear, energy deployment strategy and traffic management. Pit stop sequences were rehearsed under pressure, systems checks were validated, and communication between engineers and drivers sharpened with each run.

The Roar also provided an opportunity to benchmark against key competitors from Porsche, Acura and BMW. The takeaway for Action Express Racing was positive: the underlying pace was present, the platform was predictable, and the preparation work done in the offseason translated effectively to the racetrack.

While the stopwatch never tells the full story in January testing, the No. 31 team left the Roar confident in its preparation and fully positioned to contend when the green flag fell for the Rolex 24.