29-01-2025
Rolex 24 class winner changed because of postrace penalty
The LMP2 winner in the 63rd Rolex 24 was changed Wednesday afternoon as IMSA announced a penalty to the team that celebrated Sunday in victory lane at Daytona International Speedway.
During an 'extended postrace technical inspection,' the No. 8 Tower Motorsports ORECA LMP2 was moved from first to last in the LMP2 category because IMSA said the car 'exceeded the maximum allowable wear to the regulated area of the skid block on the underside of the car.'
IMSA denied a protest of the penalty by the team.
The No. 22 United Autosports ORECA LMP2 07 was awarded the victory in the category after originally being scored in second. Per an IMSA spokesman, the winner's prize money and Rolex watches also will be transferred to the No. 22, which had started from the pole position with a driver lineup of Daniel Goldburg, Paul di Resta, Rasmus Lindh and James Allen.
In the updated results, the No. 8 was scored 12th in LMP2 with all other cars moving up a spot.
It's the second time in three years there has been a significant postrace penalty in the Rolex 24. In 2023, Meyer Shank Racing's No. 60 Acura won the overall but was found to have manipulated tire pressure data. IMSA allowed the team to keep the win but meted out a massive fine and points penalty.
