No. 32 Korthoff Competition Motors Mercedes-AMG GT3. Photo: D. Paul Graham / imageGRAHAM, LLC

The 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona: A Breakdown of the 4 Racing Classes.

The Rolex 24 at Daytona is one of the most iconic endurance races in the world, drawing attention from motorsport enthusiasts around the globe. For 2025, the race promises to deliver a thrilling mix of cutting-edge technology, high-speed drama, and elite drivers battling for supremacy. To the uninitiated, the race can be a bit overwhelming, as it features multiple classes of cars competing simultaneously. Generally, the Rolex 24 at Daytona has two types of cars: prototypes and stock(ish) GTD’s. Each of those types have two classes creating four classes of cars that will make up the 61-team field for this weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona

Here’s a quick guide to the different classes you’ll see at the 2025 edition of the Rolex 24.

1. GTP (Grand Touring Prototype) 12 Team Entries

BMW ‘M’ Motorsports GTP entry for the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona. Photo: D. Paul Graham / imageGRAHAM, LLC

The top-tier class at Daytona, the GTP cars are the crown jewels of the race. These are the most advanced, purpose-built machines, combining hybrid powertrains, aerodynamic finesse, and raw speed. The GTP class includes manufacturers like Cadillac, Acura, BMW, and Porsche, all of which have developed cutting-edge prototypes to battle for overall victory. These cars are powered by a combination of internal combustion engines and electric motors, delivering exceptional performance while keeping an eye on sustainability through hybrid technology.

Expect blistering lap times, extreme precision, and plenty of strategy as these cars race for the overall win at Daytona.

2. LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2) 12 Team Entries

TDS Racing ORECA LMP2. Photo: D. Paul Graham / imageGRAHAM, LLC

LMP2 cars are purpose-built prototypes, but unlike the GTP class, they feature slightly less advanced technology and lower budgets, making them more accessible to a broader range of teams. While they aren’t quite as fast as the GTP machines, LMP2 cars are still incredibly quick and capable of putting on a great show. These cars run on naturally aspirated V8 engines, and teams come from all over the world, with many representing top-tier sports car racing organizations. In 2025, expect fierce competition in LMP2 as these teams battle for podium finishes in both the overall classification and their own class.

3. GTD (Grand Touring Daytona) 22 Team Entries

No. 78 Forte Racing Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2. Photo: D. Paul Graham / imageGRAHAM, LLC

The GTD class is where you’ll find production-based sports cars, albeit highly modified for racing. These machines are less extreme than the prototypes but are still capable of jaw-dropping speed and precision. Manufacturers like Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Mercedes-AMG are heavily represented in this class, with cars that are more recognizable to the everyday consumer but still purpose-built for endurance racing.

The GTD class is all about balance: these cars deliver a mix of performance and durability, with teams strategizing for both speed and reliability to last through the grueling 24 hours. In 2025, the GTD class will feature plenty of exciting action, with drivers pushing their machines to the limit.

4. GTD Pro (Grand Touring Daytona Pro) 15 Team Entries

No. 48 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3 EVO

As a step up from the regular GTD class, the GTD Pro features the same cars but with professional drivers and teams. The GTD Pro category is essentially the premier league of the GTD class, with more experienced and well-funded outfits competing for the win. These teams represent the pinnacle of production-based racing, with world-class drivers behind the wheel. Expect fierce competition, and don’t be surprised to see some of the best names in sports car racing duking it out for a spot on the podium.

 Bonus: LMP3 (Le Mans Prototype 3)

Toney Driver Development LMP3 debuted in the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge during the Roar Before the 24. Photo: D. Paul Graham / imageGRAHAM, LLC

Though LMP3 cars do not compete for the overall win, they add a fascinating dynamic to the race. Seen a week earlier at the Roar Before 24, these are smaller, less powerful prototypes built for teams with smaller budgets but still looking for a taste of prototype racing. LMP3 cars use 5.6-liter V8 engines and are often the entry point for teams looking to move up to higher levels of endurance racing. In 2025, LMP3 will be packed with up-and-coming drivers and teams aiming to showcase their skills while making their mark on the sport.

Whether you’re a fan of high-tech prototypes or the thrilling spectacle of production-based sports cars, the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona promises a race for the ages, with a diverse array of cars, teams, and drivers all vying for glory. Each class brings its own excitement to the track, and watching them race together is a reminder of what makes endurance racing so special: the perfect blend of speed, strategy, and stamina.

The green flag for the Rolex 24 at Daytona drops at 1:40 pm Saturday and the checkered flag drops at 1:40 pm Sunday.