Roar Before the Rolex 24 2027

The 2026 Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway provided an invaluable and encouraging prelude to the upcoming Rolex 24 At Daytona for the No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac Whelen V-Series.R. Across the three days of on-track activity – from January 16–18, 2026 – the team used the test sessions to refine setup, build driver confidence and gather key data in advance of next weekend’s season-opening endurance classic.

From the outset, the No. 31 Cadillac was consistently competitive in the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) ranks. In the fourth Roar session, the Cadillac driven by Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber, Frederik Vesti and Connor Zilisch posted lap times that placed the car solidly among the top contenders – a testament to the balance of pace and tire management achieved throughout the test.

While Porsche Penske Motorsport showed strong outright speed during various sessions, and BMW and other manufacturers ran competitive programs, the Action Express entry repeatedly logged strong long-run laps and demonstrated the resilience and consistency that are invaluable in endurance racing.

Beyond pure lap times, the Roar fulfilled its primary purpose as a development and systems validation platform. The team took full advantage of track time to optimize race-trim setup and execute practice pit sequences under realistic conditions. These efforts helped reinforce confidence in the updated Cadillac V-Series.R package and allowed the full driver lineup to gel ahead of the big race.

As always with the Roar Before the Rolex 24, outright position isn’t the headline – it’s the preparation and learning that matter. For Action Express Racing and the No. 31 Cadillac, the weekend underscored the competitiveness of the car, the strength of the driver crew and the team’s meticulous approach to Daytona Speedweek. With the Rolex 24 just days away, the program heads into the marquee endurance event as a genuine contender for the overall win.