Roger Penske didn’t have to wait long to celebrate Team Penske’s 60th Anniversary season in auto racing. He did it in Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway after Porsche Team Penske was the overall winner in the Rolex 24 at Daytona IMSA Sports Car race.
It was Porsche Team Penske’s third-straight win in the famed 24-hour Sports Car endurance race that is the first major international racing event of 2026.
“Winning the 24 Hours of Daytona three consecutive times with this Porsche Penske Motorsport team is an incredible accomplishment,” Penske said in Victory Lane. “That sustained success is only achieved with great teamwork, focused and determined drivers, a resilient crew and a commitment to winning.
“Our success at this event helped put our team on the map over six decades ago and winning here in Daytona is a perfect way to celebrate the start of Team Penske’s 60th anniversary season.”
Porsche Also Has A Milestone Season
The victory was also a big one for Porsche as the famed German auto manufacturer celebrates its 75th anniversary in racing.
“I also want to congratulate Porsche Motorsport on a great beginning to their 75th anniversary in 2026, as we continue to build on our winning legacy together,” Penske said. “Today’s victory reflects the efforts and dedication of all those committed men and women working on the Porsche Penske Motorsport program, from Mooresville to Germany.”
The team is based in Mooresville, North Carolina in the same facility that also houses the IndyCar Series and NASCAR teams.
Porsche Penske Motorsport had two Porsche 963 entries in the race. The winning team was the No. 7 Porsche with Felipe Nasr, Julien Andlauer and Laurin Henrich as the drivers. The other entry was the No. 6 Porsche with Kevin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor and Matt Campbell as the drivers.
Nasr was behind the wheel for the final stint and successful held off a charge from the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac with Jack Aitken behind the wheel. His fellow drivers included Earl Bamber, Frederik Vesti and NASCAR star Connor Zilisch, who was attempting to be the youngest overall winner in Rolex 24 history at 19 years of age.
The No. 31 Cadillac won the pole but failed post-qualification technical inspection and had to start the 24-hour race at the back of the field.
But over the course of a 24-hour race, there is plenty of time to make up the distance and that is what the Cadillac team was able to accomplish, making it a dash to the checkered flag that Porsche Penske Motorsport was able to win with Nasr behind the wheel.
How A Blue Suit Earned Nasr An Opportunity
From a blue suit to a racing suit, Nasr has more than earned his status as a sports car winner with Penske.
“I talked to him about this program and remember undercover, we walked over to Tim Cindric’s shop, and he showed up in a blue suit,” Penske said. “I said, ‘He’s my kind of guy.’
“The driving he has done for us, and at the end there, was one of the best drives there I’ve seen.
“For our 60th Anniversary, a big deal here for Daytona, Porsche’s 75th., to have three-straight wins here is special.
“It certainly starts out the year in a big way.”
As the leader of the most successful racing team in the World, Penske sets his sights on the next accomplishment in 2026. That includes the NASCAR Cup Series team in next month’s Daytona 500, the NTT IndyCar Series team in the 110th Indianapolis 500 on May 24 and many other wins in 2026.
Let the 60th Anniversary Celebration begin for Roger Penske and Team Penske.
