2016 24 Hours of Daytona
{{Short description|Motor race}}
{{good article}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Daytona 24 Races
| Previous = 2015
| Current = 2016
| Next = 2017
}}
File:Daytona International Speedway - Road Course.svg road course]]
The 2016 24 Hours of Daytona (formally the 54th Rolex 24 at Daytona) was an International Motor Sports Association (IMSA)-sanctioned 24-hour automobile endurance race for Prototype and Grand Touring sports cars held at the Daytona International Speedway combined road course in Daytona Beach, Florida, from January 30 to 31, 2016. It was the first of twelve 2016 IMSA SportsCar Championship races, the 54th 24 Hours of Daytona, and the first of the four-round North American Endurance Cup. The event was attended by approximately 35,000 people.
SMP Racing began from pole position after Mikhail Aleshin set the fastest lap in the Prototype class. The lead was exchanged several times between the DeltaWing, Extreme Speed Motorsports (ESM), Michael Shank Racing, Wayne Taylor Racing (WTR), Mazda Motorsports and Action Express Racing teams during the race. ESM's Ed Brown, Pipo Derani, Scott Sharp and Johannes van Overbeek recovered from a late race speeding penalty to achieve the team's first win at Daytona and the lead of both the Prototype Drivers' and Teams' Championships. Honda took the lead of the Prototype Manufacturers' Championship with its first overall victory in the event. WTR's Max Angelelli, Rubens Barrichello, Jordan Taylor and Ricky Taylor finished 26 seconds later in second, and Ryan Dalziel, Marc Goossens and Ryan Hunter-Reay of VisitFlorida Racing recovered from a late race change of car component to finish third.
The Prototype Challenge (PC) category was won by JDC-Miller MotorSports' Oreca FLM09 car of Kenton Koch—Chris Miller, Misha Goikhberg and Stephen Simpson—after the team recovered from a significant crash damaging their car in the 15th hour. Robert Alon, Tom Kimber-Smith, Jose Gutiérrez and Nicholas Boulle finished five laps down in second, while BAR1 Motorsports' Tomy Drissi, Marc Drumwright, Brendan Gaughan, Johnny Mowlem and Ricardo Vera was third. Corvette Racing won the Grand Touring Le Mans (GTLM) class with a Chevrolet Corvette C7.R shared by Oliver Gavin. Tommy Milner and Marcel Fässler beating their teammates Antonio García, Jan Magnussen and Mike Rockenfeller by the race's closest finishing margin of 0.034 seconds. Porsche took third with Earl Bamber, Michael Christensen and Frédéric Makowiecki sharing a 911 RSR. Konrad Motorsport led the final nine minutes in Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) until its lead Lamborghini Huracán made a pit stop for fuel handing the victory to Magnus Racing's Andy Lally, John Potter, René Rast and Marco Seefried. Black Swan Racing were second in class with Nicky Catsburg, Patrick Long, Tim Pappas and Andy Pilgrim, and Damien Faulkner, Eric Foss, Ben Keating, Jeff Mosing and Gar Robinson took third for Riley Motorsports.
Background
= Preview =
NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., who built the Daytona International Speedway in 1959, conceived the 24 Hours of Daytona as a race to attract European sports car endurance racing to the United States and provide international exposure to Daytona.{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/everything-to-know-daytona-24-hour/|title=Daytona 101: Everything you need to know about America's 24-hour endurance race|last=Edelstein|first=Stephen|date=January 27, 2016|publisher=Digital Trends|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610054608/http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/everything-to-know-daytona-24-hour/|archive-date=June 10, 2016|access-date=March 25, 2018}} It is informally considered part of the "Triple Crown of Endurance Racing" with the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.{{Cite web|url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a17729/24-hours-of-daytona/|title=24 Hours of Daytona: A short history of a long race|last=Pose|first=Sam|date=December 7, 2011|website=Road & Track|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003111712/http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a17729/24-hours-of-daytona/|archive-date=October 3, 2015|access-date=March 25, 2018}}
International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) president Scott Atherton confirmed the race was part of the schedule for the 2016 IMSA SportsCar Championship (IMSA SCC) in August 2015. It was the third consecutive year it was part of the IMSA SCC and the 54th 24 Hours of Daytona. The 24 Hours of Daytona was the first of twelve scheduled automobile endurance races of 2016 by IMSA, and the first in the four round North American Endurance Cup (NAEC).{{Cite web|url=https://racer.com/2015/08/08/imsa-minor-tweaks-to-2016-schedule-expected/|title=IMSA: 2016 schedule revealed|last=Pruett|first=Marshall|date=August 8, 2015|website=Racer|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101213407/https://racer.com/2015/08/08/imsa-minor-tweaks-to-2016-schedule-expected/|archive-date=January 1, 2020|access-date=January 1, 2020}} It occurred at the 12-turn {{Convert|3.56|mi|km|abbr=on}} Daytona International Speedway combined road course in Daytona Beach, Florida, between January 30 and 31.{{Cite news|url=https://autoweek.com/article/united-sportscar/54th-rolex-24-daytona-set-jan-30-31-2016|title=54th Rolex 24 at Daytona set for Jan 30–31, 2016|last=Cole Smith|first=Steven|date=March 5, 2015|work=Autoweek|access-date=January 1, 2020|url-status=live|agency=IMSA Wire Service|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101213419/https://autoweek.com/article/united-sportscar/54th-rolex-24-daytona-set-jan-30-31-2016|archive-date=January 1, 2020}}
=Entry list=
There were 54 cars officially entered for the race with most of the entries in the Prototype and Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) categories.{{Cite web|url=http://www.imsa.com/articles/eyes-racing-world-focused-54th-rolex-24-daytona|title=Eyes Of Racing World Focused On 54th Rolex at Daytona|date=January 21, 2016|publisher=International Motor Sports Association|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123005958/http://www.imsa.com/articles/eyes-racing-world-focused-54th-rolex-24-daytona|archive-date=January 23, 2016|access-date=January 1, 2020}} The 2015 race winners, Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR), returned to defend their title.{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/motor/2016/01/28/rolex-24-daytona-imsa-preview-ganassi-pruett/79410476/|title=Ganassi team returns intact to defend Rolex 24 at Daytona title|last=Hembree|first=Mike|date=January 28, 2016|work=USA Today|access-date=January 3, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103181047/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/motor/2016/01/28/rolex-24-daytona-imsa-preview-ganassi-pruett/79410476/|archive-date=January 3, 2020}} Action Express Racing (AXR) and VisitFlorida Racing (VFR) fielded two Chevrolet Corvette DP cars and Wayne Taylor Racing (WTR) one. CGR fielded two Ford-powered Riley MkXXVI cars, while a BMW-engined example was entered by Highway to Help. Mazda Motorsports had two Lola B08/80-Mazda cars, and the Extreme Speed Motorsports (ESM) and Michael Shank Racing (MSR) teams each entered a single Ligier JS P2 chassis with Honda HR35TT twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engines.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/21/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-2016-entry-list.html|title=IMSA: Rolex 24 at Daytona 2016 Entry List|last=Kilbey|first=Stephen|date=January 21, 2016|publisher=DailySportsCar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101213409/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/21/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-2016-entry-list.html|archive-date=January 1, 2020|access-date=January 1, 2020}}{{Cite web |date=2016-02-12 |title=DiZinno: Why Honda's Rolex 24 overall win meant so much |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/motor-sports/news/dizinno-why-hondas-rolex-24-overall-win-meant-so-much |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} SMP Racing made its North American endurance debut at Daytona with a Nissan-powered BR Engineering BR01.{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/smp-racing-confirms-br01-entry-for-daytona/|title=SMP Racing Confirms BR01 Entry for Daytona|last=Dagys|first=John|date=November 19, 2015|publisher=SportsCar365|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101213422/https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/smp-racing-confirms-br01-entry-for-daytona/|archive-date=January 1, 2020|access-date=January 1, 2020}} Panoz brought the DeltaWing car to Daytona for the fifth successive year. The Prototype Challenge (PC) class was composed of eight Oreca FLM09-Chevrolet cars: two from Starworks Motorsports and BAR1 Motorsports. CORE Autosport, JDC-Miller MotorSports, Performance Tech and PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports entered one car each.
File:Lance Stroll 2017 Azerbaijan GP.png (pictured in 2017) made a one-off appearance for Chip Ganassi Racing at Daytona.{{Cite web|last=Allen|first=Peter|date=29 December 2015|title=Lance Stroll to race in Daytona 24 Hours for Ganassi|url=https://formulascout.com/lance-stroll-to-race-in-daytona-24-hours-for-ganassi/32742|url-status=live|access-date=20 July 2021|publisher=Formula Scout|archive-date=July 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720135712/https://formulascout.com/lance-stroll-to-race-in-daytona-24-hours-for-ganassi/32742}}]]
Grand Touring Le Mans (GTLM) consisted of 11 cars from 5 different brands. Team RLL debuted the BMW M6 GTLM at Daytona.{{Cite web|url=https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2016/01/27/2016-rolex-24-car-by-car-preview-gtlm/|title=2016 Rolex 24 car-by-car preview: GTLM|last=DiZinno|first=Tony|date=January 27, 2016|publisher=NBC Sports|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102095513/https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2016/01/27/2016-rolex-24-car-by-car-preview-gtlm/|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}} CGR with Felix Sabates partnered with Ford for two debuting Ford GTs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1017387_ford-gt-race-cars-schedule-revealed-2016-daytona-24-hours-competition-debut-confirmed|title=Ford GT Race Car's Schedule Revealed, 2016 Daytona 24 Hours Competition Debut|last=Vijayenthiran|first=Viknesh|date=September 22, 2015|publisher=Motor Authority|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102095511/https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1017387_ford-gt-race-cars-schedule-revealed-2016-daytona-24-hours-competition-debut-confirmed|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}} Porsche fielded two 911 RSRs, three 488 GTEs represented Ferrari with one each from Risi Competizione, Scuderia Corsa and SMP Racing, and Corvette Racing entered two C7.Rs. GTD featured 22 cars among seven different GT3 manufacturers. Lamborghini was represented by five Huracáns in its North American endurance debut:{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1027002_lamborghini-huracn-gt3-to-make-north-american-debut-at-2016-daytona-24-hours|title=Lamborghini Huracán GT3 To Make North American Debut at 2016 Daytona 24 Hours|last=Vijayenthiran|first=Viknesh|date=September 29, 2015|publisher=Motor Authority|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102095511/https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1027002_lamborghini-huracn-gt3-to-make-north-american-debut-at-2016-daytona-24-hours|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}} two by Konrad Motorsports and one each from Change Racing, O'Gara Motorsport and Paul Miller Racing (PMR). Porsche had five 911 Rs: two for Alex Job Racing (AJR) and one each for Black Swan Racing, Frikadelli Racing and Park Place Motorsports (PPM). A mix of teams and automotive brands made up the rest of the GTD field. These included two Stevenson Motorsports Audi R8 LMS cars: one each from Magnus Racing and Flying Lizard Motorsports (FLM) with Krohn Racing for the revised car's race debut.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2016/01/27/story-lines-heading-into-rolex-24-at-daytona/|title=Story lines heading into Rolex 24 at Daytona|date=January 27, 2016|access-date=January 2, 2020|url-status=live|publisher=NASCAR|agency=IMSA Wire Service|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102160908/https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2016/01/27/story-lines-heading-into-rolex-24-at-daytona/|archive-date=January 2, 2020}} Turner Motorsport fielded two BMW M6s, Scuderia Corsa and Spirit of Race entered two 458 Italias. There were two Aston Martin V12 Vantages from Aston Martin Racing and TRG-AMR and two Riley Motorsports Dodge Viper Rs.{{Cite web|url=https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2016/01/28/2016-rolex-24-car-by-car-preview-gtd/|title=2016 Rolex 24 car-by-car preview: GTD|last=DiZinno|first=Tony|date=January 28, 2016|publisher=NBC Sports|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102095511/https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2016/01/28/2016-rolex-24-car-by-car-preview-gtd/|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}}
Two full-time IMSA SCC drivers drove a car, joined by one NAEC racer and one or two extra drivers.{{Cite web|url=http://competitors.imsa.com/sites/default/files/2016_imsa_sporting_regulations_and_ssr_iwsc_blackline_052516.pdf|title=2016 IMSA Sporting Regulations & Series Supplementary Regulations of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship|date=May 25, 2016|publisher=International Motor Sports Association|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705023948/http://competitors.imsa.com/sites/default/files/2016_imsa_sporting_regulations_and_ssr_iwsc_blackline_052516.pdf|archive-date=July 5, 2016|access-date=January 2, 2020}} These additional participants were recruited from a variety of racing categories, including the FIA World Endurance Championship (such as Marcel Fässler for Corvette and Richie Stanaway for Aston Martin),{{Cite web|url=https://www.fiawec.com/en/news/rising-to-the-daytona-24-challenge/3701|title=Rising to the Daytona 24 Challenge|last=Miller|first=Fiona|date=January 28, 2016|publisher=FIA World Endurance Championship|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102095514/https://www.fiawec.com/en/news/rising-to-the-daytona-24-challenge/3701|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}} the IndyCar Series (such as Ryan Hunter-Reay for VFR and Scott Dixon for CGR),{{Cite web|url=https://www.indycar.com/News/2016/01/01-26-Rolex-24-Preview|title=INDYCAR drivers have prevalent storylines for Rolex 24 at Daytona|last=Robinson|first=Mark|date=January 27, 2016|publisher=IndyCar Series|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102095512/https://www.indycar.com/News/2016/01/01-26-Rolex-24-Preview|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}} and the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (such as Augusto Farfus and Bruno Spengler for Team RLL) among others.{{Cite web|url=https://www.motor.es/noticias/debut-bmw-m6-gtlm-daytona-sabe-dtm-201625618.html|title=El debut del BMW M6 GTLM en Daytona sabe a DTM|last=Sancho|first=Fernando|date=January 30, 2016|publisher=Motor.es|language=es|trans-title=BMW M6 GTLM debut in Daytona tastes like DTM|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102160910/https://www.motor.es/noticias/debut-bmw-m6-gtlm-daytona-sabe-dtm-201625618.html|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}} Some drivers competed at Daytona on a one-off basis in 2016 such as: European Formula Three Championship racers Lance Stroll and Felix Rosenqvist,{{Cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/f1/news/225961/1/williams-development-driver-stroll-to-race-at-daytona|title=Williams development driver Stroll to race at Daytona|last=Wilkins|first=Robert|date=December 30, 2015|publisher=Crash|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102160909/https://www.crash.net/f1/news/225961/1/williams-development-driver-stroll-to-race-at-daytona|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/122416/rosenqvist-to-make-daytona-debut|title=European F3 champion Felix Rosenqvist to race in Daytona 24 Hours|date=January 8, 2016|website=Autosport|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102160910/https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/122416/rosenqvist-to-make-daytona-debut|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}} V8 Supercars driver Shane van Gisbergen,{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/motor-sport/shane-van-gisbergen-takes-v8-break-to-compete-in-daytona-24hour-sports-car-classic/news-story/18c95beb766d2e14dbb6abc2b8a39108|title=Shane van Gisbergen takes V8 break to compete in Daytona 24-Hour sports car classic|last=Gover|first=Paul|date=January 26, 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=January 2, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102162409/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/motor-sport/shane-van-gisbergen-takes-v8-break-to-compete-in-daytona-24hour-sports-car-classic/news-story/18c95beb766d2e14dbb6abc2b8a39108|archive-date=January 2, 2020}} and A. J. Allmendinger, Brendan Gaughan, Jamie McMurray, Justin Marks, and Kyle Larson from NASCAR.{{Cite web|url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2016/01/31/nascar-reps-falter-in-rolex-24-at-daytona/|title=NASCAR reps falter in Rolex 24 at Daytona|last=McFadin|first=Daniel|date=January 31, 2016|publisher=NBC Sports|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102160909/https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2016/01/31/nascar-reps-falter-in-rolex-24-at-daytona/|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}} Jonathan Adam won the 2016 Sunoco Whelen Challenge with the 2015 British GT3 title, earning him a seat with AXR.{{Cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/adam-wins-2016-sunoco-whelen-challenge/|title=Adam Wins 2016 Sunoco Whelen Challenge|last=Dagys|first=John|date=October 5, 2015|publisher=SportsCar365|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102160906/https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/adam-wins-2016-sunoco-whelen-challenge/|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}} Four women entered the race: Ashley Freiberg, Katherine Legge, Christina Nielsen, and Sabine Schmitz.
Testing
There were fifty-four entries involved in three days of testing divided into seven sessions held at the circuit from January 8 to 10.{{Cite web|url=https://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Articles/2016/01/Roar-Before-the-Rolex-24-Day-3-Recap.aspx|title=Roar Before The Rolex 24 Completes 3-Day Run, Provides Preview Of IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – And Daytona Rising|date=January 10, 2016|publisher=Daytona International Raceway|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102160917/https://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Articles/2016/01/Roar-Before-the-Rolex-24-Day-3-Recap.aspx|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}} Risi missed the test session because it was constructing its 488 in Italy.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/01/rise-to-debut-new-ferrari-at-rolex-24-hours.html|title=Risi To Debut New Ferrari at Rolex 24 Hours|last=Pruett|first=Marshall|date=January 1, 2016|publisher=DailySportsCar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102160909/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/01/rise-to-debut-new-ferrari-at-rolex-24-hours.html|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2019}} Oswaldo Negri Jr. set the fastest time early on the first day with a 1-minute, 39.655 seconds lap in the {{Abbr|No.|Car number}} 60 MSR Ligier-Honda. His co-driver Olivier Pla improved to a 1-minute, 39.445-second lap in the second session. Pipo Derani lapped second-fastest in ESM's No. 2 Ligier-Honda and Sean Rayhall put the DeltaWing third. The fastest Daytona Prototype was Jordan Taylor's No. 10 WTR Corvette in fourth. Separate crashes by Stroll at turn five soon after he left the pit lane, and João Barbosa of AXR at the Bus Stop chicane due to a possible broken rear suspension, led to stoppages on the first day.{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/122424/pla-fastest-for-shank-at-daytona|title=Daytona 24 Hours testing: Olivier Pla fastest for Michael Shank Racing|last=Shaw|first=Jeremy|date=January 8, 2016|website=Autosport|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102160909/https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/122424/pla-fastest-for-shank-at-daytona|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}} Colin Braun's No. 54 CORE Autosport Oreca led in PC with a 1-minute, 42.423 seconds lap.{{Cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/pla-fastest-on-friday-at-roar-before-24/|title=Pla Fastest on Friday at Roar Before 24|last=DiZinno|first=Tony|date=January 8, 2016|publisher=SportsCar365|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102160908/https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/pla-fastest-on-friday-at-roar-before-24/|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}} BMWs took the first two positions in GTLM with Lucas Luhr's No. 100 car setting a 1-minute, 45.088 seconds lap with Farfus' No. 25 entry second. Antonio García's No. 3 Corvette and Richard Westbrook's No. 66 Ford were third and fourth in class. A leak in an FIA-mandated fuel vent on Tommy Milner's No. 4 Corvette overheated when fuel hit it and caused the car's right-rear corner to catch fire.{{Cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/no-4-corvette-sustains-fire-in-roar-first-practice/|title=No. 4 Corvette Sustains Fire in Roar First Practice|last=DiZinno|first=Tony|date=January 8, 2016|publisher=SportsCar365|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102160909/https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/no-4-corvette-sustains-fire-in-roar-first-practice/|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}} Raffaele Giammaria's No. 51 Spirit Ferrari led GTD from Jeroen Bleekemolen's No. 23 Riley Viper.
Heavy morning fog prompted IMSA to revise the second day's schedule.{{Cite web|url=https://racer.com/2016/01/09/imsa-saturday-roar-before-the-24-live-report/|title=IMSA: Saturday Roar Before The 24 Live Report|last=Pruett|first=Marshall|date=January 9, 2016|website=Racer|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102160910/https://racer.com/2016/01/09/imsa-saturday-roar-before-the-24-live-report/|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/legge-deltawing-leads-delayed-saturday-morning-practice-at-roar/|title=Legge, DeltaWing Lead Foggy Saturday Morning Practice at Roar|last=DiZinno|first=Tony|date=January 9, 2016|publisher=SportsCar365|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014092854/https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/legge-deltawing-leads-delayed-saturday-morning-practice-at-roar/|archive-date=October 14, 2019|access-date=January 2, 2020}} Pla set the day's fastest time, a 1-minute, 39.445 seconds, ahead of Legge's DeltaWing in second. Ricky Taylor improved the WTR Corvette to third. Spencer Pigot was fourth in Mazda's No. 55 Lola, with Scott Sharp's ESM Ligier-Honda fifth. Maro Engel's No. 88 Starworks Motorsport Oreca led the PC category with a 1-minute, 43.175 seconds time from Tom Kimber-Smith's No. 52 PR1 entry. Two crashes by Alex Popow and his teammate Renger van der Zande caused further stoppages to testing. Mike Rockenfeller's No. 3 Corvette led GTLM with a 1-minute, 45.256 seconds lap, ahead of Alessandro Pier Guidi's No. 68 Scuderia car, Westbrook's No. 67 Ford and Jan Magnussen's No. 4 Corvette. Mirko Bortolotti's No. 48 PMR Lamborghini led in GTD with Fabio Babini's No. 28 Konrad car second. An accident with the Konrad Lamborghini and Dion von Moltke caused further disruption to testing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/122428/pla-keeps-shank-on-top-in-daytona-test|title=Daytona 24 Hours testing: Pla fastest again for Michael Shank Racing|last=Shaw|first=Jeremy|date=January 10, 2016|website=Autosport|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102160907/https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/122428/pla-keeps-shank-on-top-in-daytona-test|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}}
The third and final day of testing held in cloudy and clear weather saw Daytona debutant Derani's ESM Ligier-Honda go fastest with a 1-minute, 39.438 seconds time with 15 minutes left. Derani demoted Negri's MSR Ligier-Honda, which was two-tenths of a second slower in second,{{cite web|last=DIZinno|first=Tony|title=Derani, ESM Quickest Overall at Roar Before 24|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/derani-esm-quickest-overall-at-roar-before-24/|publisher=SportsCar365|date=January 10, 2016|access-date=January 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604103227/http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/derani-esm-quickest-overall-at-roar-before-24/|archive-date=June 4, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Shaw|first=Jeremy|title=Pipo Derani puts ESM on top in final day of Daytona 24 Hours testing|url=http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122431|work=Autosport|date=January 10, 2016|access-date=January 2, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102190903/http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122431|archive-date=January 2, 2020}} and Tom Long put the No. 70 Lola-Mazda third.{{cite web|last=Pruett|first=Marshall|title=IMSA: Sunday Roar Before The 24 Live Report|url=http://www.racer.com/imsa/weathertech-sports-car-championship/item/125059-imsa-sunday-roar-before-the-24-live-report|work=Racer|date=January 10, 2016|access-date=January 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111230335/http://www.racer.com/imsa/weathertech-sports-car-championship/item/125059-imsa-sunday-roar-before-the-24-live-report|archive-date=January 11, 2016|url-status=dead}} Kirill Ladygin set the fourth-fastest lap in SMP Racing's No. 37 BR01-Nissan, and Jonathan Bomarito's No. 55 Lola-Mazda was fifth. Jack Hawksworth set the PC category's fastest lap for Starworks Motorsport's No. 8 team at 1 minute, 42.118 seconds, 0.340 seconds faster than his teammate Rosenqvist in second. Oliver Gavin's No. 4 Corvette recorded the day's quickest GTLM lap of 1 minute, 45.106 seconds. Dirk Müller caused damage to the front of the No. 66 Ford at turn five to stop testing again. The fastest GTD laps were set in the morning session by Leh Keen's No. 22 AJR Porsche and Damien Faulkner's No. 93 Riley Dodge.
Balance of performance changes
After testing, IMSA altered the balance of performance in all four categories in an attempt to achieve parity within them. The BR01, DeltaWing and Ligiers received ballast increases to affect their handling. The Riley-Fords, Ligier-Hondas and Lola-Mazdas had their turbocharger boost pressures lowered to reduce performances. The Corvette Daytona Prototypes had performance changes. The eight PC vehicles had the position of their rear wings adjusted to affect its aerodynamic efficiency. BMW, Ferrari, and Ford had their turbocharger boost pressures cut to lower top speeds. Porsche's and Corvette had fuel tank size increases of {{Convert|6|l||abbr=on}}. The GTD, Aston Martin, Audi, Dodge and Ferrari all had {{Convert|20|kg|lb|abbr=on}} of weight deducted, as Lamborghini and BMW received ballast increases of the same amount. Porsche received a fuel capacity increase of {{Convert|1|l||abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/balance-of-performance-set-for-rolex-24-669173/669173/|title=Balance of Performance set for Rolex 24|date=January 21, 2016|publisher=motorsport.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102212950/https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/balance-of-performance-set-for-rolex-24-669173/669173/|archive-date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2020}}
Practice and qualifying
There were four practice sessions preceding the race's start on Saturday, three on Thursday and one on Friday. The first one-hour session on Thursday morning was followed by a half-hour session later that afternoon. The third held that evening ran for 90 minutes; the fourth on Friday morning lasted an hour.{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/continental-tire-keys-to-the-race-rolex-24-2/|title=Continental Tire Keys to the Race: Rolex 24|last=Dagys|first=John|date=January 27, 2016|publisher=SportsCar365|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214104925/http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/continental-tire-keys-to-the-race-rolex-24-2/|archive-date=February 14, 2016|access-date=January 2, 2020}}
The track was wet and the sky overcast for the first practice session.{{Cite web|url=https://racer.com/2016/01/28/rolex-24-shank-ligier-honda-leads-opening-practice/|title=ROLEX 24: Shank Ligier-Honda leads opening practice|last=Pruett|first=Marshall|date=January 28, 2016|website=Racer|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103103710/https://racer.com/2016/01/28/rolex-24-shank-ligier-honda-leads-opening-practice/|archive-date=January 3, 2020|access-date=January 3, 2020}} The conditions lowered lap times for the GT cars by around 10 to 15 seconds and 15 to 18 seconds for Prototype vehicles.{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/negri-leads-wet-first-practice-at-daytona/|title=Negri Leads Wet First Practice at Daytona|last=DiZinno|first=Tony|date=January 28, 2016|publisher=SportsCar365|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427233838/http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/negri-leads-wet-first-practice-at-daytona/|archive-date=April 27, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2020}} Negri led for MSR with a lap of 1 minute, 54.807 seconds. The fastest GTLM car was Toni Vilander's No. 62 Risi Ferrari in second overall and Frédéric Makowiecki's No. 912 Porsche third. Fourth was James Calado's No. 72 SMP Ferrari and Dirk Werner's No. 25 BMW came fifth. The fastest PC class car was Ryan Lewis' BAR1 No. 26 car with a 2 minutes, 0.221 seconds lap, followed by his teammate Johnny Mowlem's sister No. 20 entry. Matt McMurry's No. 73 PPM Porsche led GTD from Bleekemolen's No. 33 Riley Viper and Gimmaria's No. 51 Spirit of Race Ferrari.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/28/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-free-practice-1-slippery-conditions-limit-times.html|title=IMSA: Rolex 24 at Daytona, Free Practice 1, Slippery Conditions Limit Times|last=Ehrlich|first=Kevin|last2=Horrocks|first2=Gary|date=January 28, 2016|publisher=DailySportsCar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103165322/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/28/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-free-practice-1-slippery-conditions-limit-times.html|archive-date=January 3, 2020|access-date=January 3, 2020}} Spencer Pumpelly damaged the No. 16 Change Racing Lamborghini in an accident against the inside wall leaving NASCAR turn four and stopping the session five minutes early. He was checked and released from the infield care center.
Due to a cold air temperature preventing the track from drying and a forecast for more rain, cars used wet-weather tires for the second practice session. Sébastien Bourdais in the No. 66 GTLM Ford led outright with a 1-minute, 56.024 seconds lap.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/28/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-free-practice-2-tyre-issues-truncate-wet-session.html|title=IMSA: Rolex 24 at Daytona, Free Practice 2, Tyre Issues Truncate Wet Session|last=Ehrlich|first=Kevin|date=January 28, 2016|publisher=DailySportsCar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103164807/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/28/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-free-practice-2-tyre-issues-truncate-wet-session.html|archive-date=January 3, 2020|access-date=January 3, 2020}} Giancarlo Fisichella's Risi Ferrari was second; third was Calado's No. 72 SMP Ferrari.{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/bourdais-ford-gt-lead-wet-second-practice-at-daytona/|title=Bourdais, Ford GT Lead Wet Second Practice Overall at Daytona|last=DiZinno|first=Tony|date=January 28, 2016|publisher=SportsCar365|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303013054/http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/bourdais-ford-gt-lead-wet-second-practice-at-daytona/|archive-date=March 3, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2020}} The two Corvette cars were fourth and fifth.{{Cite web|url=https://racer.com/2016/01/28/rolex-24-ford-gt-leads-gtlm-1-5-in-fp2/|title=ROLEX 24: Ford GT leads GTLM 1–5 in FP2|last=Pruett|first=Marshall|date=January 28, 2016|website=Racer|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103105201/https://racer.com/2016/01/28/rolex-24-ford-gt-leads-gtlm-1-5-in-fp2/|archive-date=January 3, 2020|access-date=January 3, 2020}} The fastest Prototype car was Mikhail Aleshin's No. 37 SMP BR01-Nissan in sixth overall. Mowlem's No. 20 BAR1 Oreca led the PC class, and Maxime Martin's No. 72 Turner BMW topped GTD. The session was first halted ten minutes in when Van Der Zande's No. 8 Starworks Oreca and the No. 50 Highway Riley-BMW stopped at the Bus Stop chicane. Both cars returned to the pit lane without external assistance. A second stoppage came soon after for track clearing due to right-rear tire tread coming off the wheel on Lars Viljoen's No. 007 Aston Martin on the front stretch. During the stoppage, the No. 97 Turner BMW's right-rear tire was found to be down. The debris damaged the FLM No. 45 Audi's right-front radiator grille.
File:Nick tandy brandshatch2014.JPG (pictured in 2014) set the fastest overall lap time in qualifying.]]
Thursday afternoon's 90-minute four-group qualifying session gave 15-minute sessions to all categories. Regulations stipulated teams to nominate one qualifying driver, with the fastest laps determining each classes starting order. IMSA arranged the grid to put Prototypes ahead of all PC, GTLM and GTD cars. Rain fell and increased in intensity as cars lifted spray from the tarmac surface.{{cite web|last=Pruett|first=Marshall|title=ROLEX 24: Porsche leads qualifying times with GTLM 1–7|url=https://racer.com/2016/01/28/rolex-24-porsche-leads-qualifying-with-gtlm-1-7/|work=Racer|date=January 28, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103135610/https://racer.com/2016/01/28/rolex-24-porsche-leads-qualifying-with-gtlm-1-7/|archive-date=January 3, 2020}}{{cite web|last=Ehrlich|first=Kevin|title=IMSA: Rolex 24 at Daytona, Qualifying, SMP On Pole|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/29/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-qualifying-smp-on-pole.html|publisher=DailySportsCar|date=January 29, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103165319/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/29/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-qualifying-smp-on-pole.html|archive-date=January 3, 2020}} Nick Tandy's No. 911 Porsche GTLM was fastest overall, lapping at 2 minutes, 1.408 seconds. His teammate Makowiecki qualified the No. 912 Porsche on the GTLM grid's front row.{{cite web|last=Cole Smith|first=Steven|title=Porsche sweeps front row in Rolex 24 qualifying at Daytona|url=http://autoweek.com/article/imsa/porsche-sweeps-front-row-rolex-24-qualifying-daytona|work=Autoweek|date=January 29, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201085616/http://autoweek.com/article/imsa/porsche-sweeps-front-row-rolex-24-qualifying-daytona|archive-date=February 1, 2016|url-status=live}} John Edwards qualified the No. 100 BMW third due to an error at turn six,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bmwblog.com/2016/01/29/new-m6-gtlm-racing-cars-qualify-3rd-and-6th-for-54th-rolex-24-at-daytona/|title=New M6 GTLM Racing Cars Qualify 3rd and 6th for 54th Rolex 24 At Daytona|last=Boeriu|first=Horatiu|date=January 29, 2016|publisher=BMW Blog|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103181048/https://www.bmwblog.com/2016/01/29/new-m6-gtlm-racing-cars-qualify-3rd-and-6th-for-54th-rolex-24-at-daytona/|archive-date=January 3, 2020|access-date=January 3, 2020}} as Pier Guidi's Scuderia Corsa and Vilander's Risi Ferrari 488 cars took fourth and fifth.{{cite web|last=Watkins|first=Gary|title=Daytona 24 Hours: Aleshin on pole for SMP, GT Porsches fastest|url=https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/122627/aleshin-on-pole-but-gt-cars-fastest|work=Autosport|date=January 29, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103135611/https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/122627/aleshin-on-pole-but-gt-cars-fastest|archive-date=January 3, 2020}} Gianmaria Bruni's No. 72 SMP car hydroplaned entering turn one and struck a tire barrier, damaging the vehicle's left-rear corner and removing the rear wing. GTLM qualifying was lengthened to give drivers a minimum of ten minutes of green flag driving.{{cite web|last=DiZinno|first=Tony|title=Porsche Quickest Overall in Qualifying at Daytona|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/porsche-quickest-in-gtlm-gtd-qualifying-at-daytona/|publisher=SportsCar365|date=January 28, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302112838/http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/porsche-quickest-in-gtlm-gtd-qualifying-at-daytona/|archive-date=March 2, 2016|url-status=live}}
Mowlem's No. 20 BAR1 Oreca was eighth overall and the fastest PC class car with a 2 minutes, 5.708 seconds lap. Stephen Simpson's No. 85 JDC/Miller car was second and Ryan Eversley's sister BAR1 car took third. SMP were ninth overall and began from pole position with Aleshin's 2 minutes, 5.793 seconds lap in the BR01 car's first endurance pole position after avoiding the wall on his fastest lap.{{cite web|last=Dagys|first=John|title=Aleshin Puts SMP Racing BR01 on Prototype Pole at Daytona|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/aleshin-puts-smp-racing-br01-on-prototype-pole-at-daytona/|publisher=SportsCar365|date=January 28, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216034305/http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/aleshin-puts-smp-racing-br01-on-prototype-pole-at-daytona/|archive-date=February 16, 2016|url-status=live}} He was half a second faster than Derani's ESM Ligier-Honda in second. Negri took third for MSR, and Ricky Taylor in fourth was the fastest Daytona Prototype driver after failing to control the car on the sodden circuit; WTR did not drive the final 3{{1/2}} minutes.{{cite press release|title=2016 Rolex 24 Qualifying Report|url=https://waynetaylorracing.com/news/2016_Rolex_24_Qualifying_Report/64251|publisher=Wayne Taylor Racing|date=January 28, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103181049/https://waynetaylorracing.com/news/2016_Rolex_24_Qualifying_Report/64251|archive-date=January 3, 2020|url-status=live}} Daytona debutant Alexander Wurz was fifth in CGR's No. 1 Riley-Ford. In GTD, Norbert Siedler took the class pole position in PPM's Porsche with a 2 minutes, 878 seconds time. Marc Basseng put the No. 28 Konrad Lamborghini second, Keen for AJR was third and Falkuner's No. 93 Riley Viper took fourth.
In the third practice session, rain continued to fall; some teams elected not to participate as 34 cars were checked to prepare for the race. Magnussen's No. 4 Corvette set the fastest overall lap of 2 minutes, 5.881 seconds, with Farfus' No. 25 BMW second and Gavin's second Corvette third. Fourth overall was René Rast's GTD-category No. 44 Magnus Audi and Van Gisbergen's AJR Porsche was fifth. The highest-placed Prototype was Dorsey Schroeder's No. 50 Highway to Help Riley-BMW in sixth overall with a lap of 2 minutes, 14.193 seconds. Simpson led the PC class with a 2 minutes, 19.275 seconds lap in JDC/Miller's Oreca, ahead of John Falb's No. 26 BAR1 car.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/29/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-thursday-night-practice-rain-limits-running.html|title=IMSA: Rolex 24 at Daytona, Thursday Night Practice, Rain Limits Running|last=Ehrlich|first=Kevin|date=January 29, 2016|publisher=DailySportsCar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103214424/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/29/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-thursday-night-practice-rain-limits-running.html|archive-date=January 3, 2020|access-date=January 3, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/magnussen-sets-best-lap-in-night-practice-at-daytona/|title=Magnussen Sets Best Lap in Night Practice at Daytona|last=DiZinno|first=Tony|date=January 28, 2016|publisher=SportsCar365|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601035830/http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/magnussen-sets-best-lap-in-night-practice-at-daytona/|archive-date=June 1, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2020}}
The fourth and final practice session was the first time over the weekend drivers could drive on a dry track.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/29/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-free-practice-4-drama-for-smp-pole-sitter.html|title=IMSA: Rolex 24 at Daytona, Free Practice 4, Drama For SMP Pole Sitter|last=Ehrlich|first=Kevin|date=January 29, 2016|publisher=DailySportsCar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103203521/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/29/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-free-practice-4-drama-for-smp-pole-sitter.html|archive-date=January 3, 2020|access-date=January 3, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.racer.com/imsa/weathertech-sports-car-championship/item/125654-rolex-24-deltawing-tops-sunny-final-practice|title=ROLEX 24: DeltaWing tops sunny final practice|last=Cole Smith|first=Steven|date=January 29, 2016|website=Racer|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214193155/http://www.racer.com/imsa/weathertech-sports-car-championship/item/125654-rolex-24-deltawing-tops-sunny-final-practice|archive-date=February 14, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2020}} Legge in the DeltaWing led by 1 minute, 38.590 seconds, followed by the Ligier-Honda cars of MSR's Pla and ESM's Johannes van Overbeek in second and third.{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/122634/deltawing-leads-daytona-practice|title=Daytona 24 Hours: DeltaWing leads practice with Katherine Legge|last=Watkins|first=Gary|date=January 29, 2016|website=Autosport|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103203238/https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/122634/deltawing-leads-daytona-practice|archive-date=January 3, 2020|access-date=January 3, 2020}} Mazda were fourth after a lap from Bomarito in its No. 55 Lola. The WTR Corvette of Max Angelelli was the fastest Prototype in fifth. Ladygin's No. 37 SMP BR01's Nissan engine failed leaving the West Horseshoe and the session was stopped briefly to allow for its recovery to the pit lane. Kimber-Smith led in PC for PR1 with a 1-minute, 43.283 seconds lap, from JDC-Miller's Kenton Koch and CORE Autosport's Martin Plowman. Team RLL's Bill Auberlen and Luhr had the first two places in GTLM. Pier Guidi of Scuderia Corsa and Earl Bamber's No. 912 Porsche were third and fourth in class. PPM's Jörg Bergmeister led in GTD from the Lamborghinis of PMR's Mirko Bortolotti and O'Gara's Townsend Bell. A second stoppage was necessitated when the No. 60 Turner BMW stopped on the inside before the Bus Stop chicane.
=Pre-race=
Due to the No. 72 SMP Ferrari causing a stoppage to qualifying, the car was sent to the back of the GTLM field. Both the No. 96 and 97 Turner BMW cars had their qualifying lap times deleted due to turbocharger boost control problems;{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/30/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-pre-race-notes.html|title=IMSA: Rolex 24 at Daytona, Pre-race Notes|last=Horrocks|first=Gary|date=January 30, 2016|publisher=DailySportsCar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103210744/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/30/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-pre-race-notes.html|archive-date=January 3, 2020|access-date=January 3, 2020}} the No. 96 was demoted to the rear of the GTD grid and the No. 97 had a one-lap penalty imposed on it.{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-pre-race-notebook-3/|title=Daytona Pre-Race Notebook|last=DiZinno|first=Tony|date=January 30, 2016|publisher=SportsCar365|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818132521/http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-pre-race-notebook-3/|archive-date=August 18, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2020}}
The No. 37 SMP BR01's Nissan engine was changed and was allowed to start from overall pole position because the team did so after qualifying for an endurance race.{{Cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-friday-notebook-3/|title=Daytona Friday Notebook|last=Dagys|first=John|date=January 29, 2016|publisher=SportsCar365|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917033452/http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-friday-notebook-3/|archive-date=September 17, 2016|access-date=January 4, 2020}} Riley Motorsport's No. 33 Viper had its clutch replaced after the team sidelined it from the final practice session.
=Qualifying results=
Pole positions in each class are indicated in bold. P stands for Prototype, PC (Prototype Challenge), GTLM (Grand Touring Le Mans) and GTD (Grand Touring Daytona).
| class="wikitable" "
|+Final qualifying classification ! scope="col" | {{Abbr|Pos.|Position}} ! scope="col" | Class ! scope="col" | {{Abbr|No.|Car number}} ! scope="col" | Team ! scope="col" | Driver ! scope="col" | Time ! scope="col" | {{Abbr|Gap|Gap in seconds}} ! scope="col" | {{Abbr|Grid|Final grid position}} |
| scope="row" |1
|GTLM |911 |2:01.408 |— !22 |
|---|
| scope="row" | 2
|GTLM | 912 |2:02.364 | !23 |
| scope="row" | 3
|GTLM | 100 |2:02.497 | ! 24 |
| scope="row" | 4
|GTLM |68 | 2:03.309 | !25 |
| scope="row" | 5
| GTLM | 62 |2:03.386 | ! 26 |
| scope="row" | 6
| GTLM | 4 |2:03.974 | +2.566 ! 27 |
| scope="row" | 7
| GTLM | 25 | 2:03.974 | +2.566 ! 28 |
| scope="row" |8
|PC |20 |BAR1 Motorsports |2:05.708 |+4.300 !14 |
| scope="row" |9
|P |37 |2:05.793 |+4.385 !1 |
| scope="row" |10
|GTD |73 |Park Place Motorsports |2:05.798 |+4.390 !33 |
| scope="row" | 11
|GTLM | 3 |2:05.979 | !29 |
| scope="row" | 12
|P |2 |2:06.304 | !2 |
| scope="row" | 13
|GTD |28 |2:06.357 | !34 |
| scope="row" | 14
|GTD |22 | 2:06.556 | ! 35 |
| scope="row" | 15
|GTLM |66 |2:06.758 | !30 |
| scope="row" | 16
|GTD | 93 |Riley Motorsports |2:07.392 | !36 |
| scope="row" | 17
|PC |85 |2:07.413 | !15 |
| scope="row" | 18
|P |60 |2:07.432 | !3 |
| scope="row" | 19
|PC |26 |BAR1 Motorsports | 2:07.485 | !16 |
| scope="row" | 20
|GTD |30 |2:07.751 | !37 |
| scope="row" | 21
|GTD |33 |Riley Motorsports |2:07.759 | !38 |
| scope="row" | 22
|P | 10 |2:07.966 | !4 |
| scope="row" | 23
|GTD | 98 |2:07.982 | !39 |
| scope="row" | 24
|GTD |23 |Team Seattle / Alex Job Racing |2:07.985 | !40 |
| scope="row" | 25
|GTLM | 67 | 2:08.440 | !31 |
| scope="row" | 26
|P | 01 |2:08.639 | !5 |
| scope="row" | 27
| GTD | 11 |O'Gara Motorsport |2:08.906 | !41 |
| scope="row" | 28
|GTD |44 |2:09.117 | ! 42 |
| scope="row" | 29
| GTD | 63 |2:09.398 | !43 |
| scope="row" | 30
|GTD | 007 |2:09.477 | !44 |
| scope="row" | 31
|P |31 |2:10.016 | !6 |
| scope="row" | 32
| P | 02 |2:10.094 | !7 |
| scope="row" | 33
|GTD |97 |2:10.307 | !45{{ref|1|1}} |
| scope="row" | 34
|P |90 |2:10.610 | !8 |
| scope="row" | 35
|PC |38 |Performance Tech |2:11.110 | !17 |
| scope="row" | 36
|GTD |51 |2:11.298 | !46 |
| scope="row" | 37
|GTD |6 |Stevenson Motorsports |Andrew Davis |2:11.245 | !47 |
| scope="row" | 38
|P |50 |Highway to Help |2:13.116 | !9 |
| scope="row" | 39
|GTD |96 |— | — !54{{ref|2|2}} |
| scope="row" | 40
|P | 70 | Mazda Motorsports |2:13.380 | ! 10 |
| scope="row" | 41
|GTD | 48 |2:13.398 | +11.990 ! 48 |
| scope="row" | 42
| P | 5 |Action Express Racing |2:15.707 | ! 11 |
| scope="row" | 43
| GTD | 45 |2:16.384 | !49 |
| scope="row" | 44
|P | 55 | Mazda Motorsports |2:16.429 | !12 |
| scope="row" | 45
|GTD |21 |Emanuele Busnelli |2:18.716 | !50 |
| scope="row" | 46
|PC | 8 |2:19.760 | !18 |
| scope="row" | 47
|GTD |540 |2:20.513 | !51 |
| scope="row" | 48
|PC | 88 |2:28.250 | !19 |
| scope="row" | 49
|GTD | 9 |Stevenson Motorsports | colspan=3 align=center|did not participate !52 |
| scope="row" | 50
|P | 0 | colspan=3 align=center|did not participate !13 |
| scope="row" | 51
|GTD | 16 |Change Racing | colspan=3 align=center|did not participate !53 |
| scope="row" | 52
|PC | 52 |PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports | colspan=3 align=center|did not participate !20 |
| scope="row" | 53
|PC | 54 | colspan=3 align=center|did not participate !21 |
| scope="row" | 54
|GTLM |72 | colspan=2 align=center|No Lap Time Set !32{{ref|3|3}} |
| class="sortbottom"
| colspan="19" |{{center|The starting order was arranged so that Prototype cars began ahead of all PC, GTLM and GTD entries.}} |
| class="sortbottom"
|colspan="10"|{{center|{{small|Sources:{{cite web|title=Rolex 24 at Daytona – Official Grid|url=http://www.imsatiming.com/results/2016/WeatherTech%20Championship/01-Daytona%2024%20Hour/WeatherTech%20Championship%20Daytona%20Grid%20Official.pdf|publisher=International Motor Sports Association|date=January 30, 2016|access-date=January 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207120713/http://imsatiming.com/Results/2016/WeatherTech%20Championship/01-Daytona%2024%20Hour/WeatherTech%20Championship%20Daytona%20Grid%20Official.pdf|archive-date=February 7, 2016|url-status=live}}}}}} |
Notes:
- {{note|1|1}}{{snd}}The No. 97 Turner Motorsport BMW had a one-lap penalty imposed on it due to a turbocharger boost violation.
- {{note|2|2}}{{Snd}}The No. 96 Turner Motorsport BMW was ordered to begin from the back of GTD for a turbocharger boost transgression.
- {{note|3|3}}{{snd}} The No. 72 SMP Racing Ferrari was sent to the rear of the GTLM grid for causing qualifying to be stopped.
Race
=Start and opening hours=
The weather at the start were clear and cool with a slight breeze;{{Cite web|url=http://racer.com/2016/01/30/rolex-24-live-race-report/|title=ROLEX 24: Live Race Report|last=Pruett|first=Marshall|date=January 30, 2016|website=Racer|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506132516/http://racer.com/2016/01/30/rolex-24-live-race-report/|archive-date=May 6, 2018|access-date=January 3, 2020}} forecasts four days before the event indicated it would be partially cloudy with a maximum air temperature of {{Convert|67|F|C|abbr=on}}. Approximately 35,000 people attended the event.{{cite web|title=Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona 2016 – Report and Photos|url=http://www.sportscardigest.com/rolex-24-hours-of-daytona-2016-report-and-photos/|publisher=Sports Car Digest|date=February 1, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204081540/http://www.sportscardigest.com/rolex-24-hours-of-daytona-2016-report-and-photos/|archive-date=February 4, 2016|url-status=live}} Double 24 Hours of Daytona overall winner A. J. Foyt waved the green flag at 14:40 Eastern Standard Time (UTC−05:00) to begin proceedings. 54 cars were due to take the start, but the No. 9 Stevenson Audi was in the garage for three laps with a battery problem.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/30/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-hour-1-delta-wing-leads.html|title=IMSA: Rolex 24 at Daytona, Hour 1, Delta Wing Leads|last=Ehrlich|first=Kevin|last2=Horrocks|first2=Gary|date=January 30, 2016|publisher=DailySportsCar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817074533/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/30/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-hour-1-delta-wing-leads.html|archive-date=August 17, 2016|access-date=January 4, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/31/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-hours-2-4.html|title=IMSA: Rolex 24 at Daytona, Hours 2–4, Delta Wing Out Of Contention|last=Ehrlich|first=Kevin|last2=Horrocks|first2=Gary|date=January 31, 2016|publisher=DailySportsCar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816082731/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/31/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-hours-2-4.html|archive-date=August 16, 2016|access-date=January 4, 2020}} Derani and Negri overtook Aleshin on lap one for first and second. Simpson moved the JDC/Miller Oreca and Bryce Miller in the PMR Lamborghini to the front of the PC and GTD categories, respectively, as Bell's O'Gara car progressed to second in GTD. Derani and Negri pulled away from the third-placed DeltaWing of Legge by 20 seconds before the first full course caution came out and the pace car appeared.{{Cite web|url=http://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2016/01/30/2016-rolex-24-rolling-updates/|title=2016 Rolex 24 Rolling Updates|last=DiZinno|first=Tony|date=January 30, 2016|publisher=NBC Sports|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201035829/http://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2016/01/30/2016-rolex-24-rolling-updates/|archive-date=February 1, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a28044/2016-rolex-24-at-daytona-the-live-blog|title=2016 Rolex 24 at Daytona – The Live Blog|last=Smith|first=Fred|date=January 30, 2016|website=Road & Track|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202061646/http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a28044/2016-rolex-24-at-daytona-the-live-blog|archive-date=February 2, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2020}} Long stopped the No. 70 Lola-Mazda at turn four with a loss of oil pressure resulting from a broken flywheel and the car was retired.
Some cars made early pit stops during the caution. Corvette Racing adjusted the angle of the No. 3 C7.R's rear wing to raise its top speed. Several GTD-class vehicles including the category pole sitter Norbert Siedler's No. 73 PPM Porsche incurred stop-and-hold penalties to be taken in the pit lane. Derani maintained the lead from Negri and Legge at the rolling restart on lap 16,{{Cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race/2016_Rolex_24_at_Daytona/TU|title=2016 Rolex 24 at Daytona|publisher=Racing-Reference|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122094622/https://www.racing-reference.info/race/2016_Rolex_24_at_Daytona/TU|archive-date=January 22, 2019|access-date=January 4, 2020}} moving clear from the rest of the field with slower GT traffic behind his car. The lead of GTLM became a multi-manufacturer battle between Tandy's Porsche, Joey Hand of Ford, the SMP Ferrari of Bruni and Corvette Racing, which saw Tandy emerge in front. Legge overtook Negri for second overall and then the outright lead for DeltaWing before the first hour ended when Derani made a pit stop. She relinquished the lead back to Derani following a pit stop that dropped her to second.
Hand's No. 66 Ford stopped on the apron between NASCAR turns two and three with a dislodged brake line, a faulty gearbox and an intermittent kill switch issue.{{Cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/trouble-hits-both-ford-gts-after-second-hour/|title=Trouble Hits Both Ford GTs after Second Hour|last=DiZinno|first=Tony|date=January 30, 2016|publisher=SportsCar365|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103211222/https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/trouble-hits-both-ford-gts-after-second-hour/|archive-date=January 3, 2020|access-date=January 4, 2020}} A caution was required to slow the race for a second time, just as Hand restarted the car and returned to the pit lane. The leaders of the Prototype and GTLM categories made pit stops under caution. Legge stalled as she exited her pit box, and ESM lost time because Van Overbeek took over from Derani. Dixon's CGR Riley-Ford elected not to make a pit stop, and led at the lap 56 restart. As Barbosa was lapping slower GTLM traffic on the outside at the International Horseshoe corner, he ran deep onto sodden grass and hit the tire wall with the right front corner of his car.{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hour-2-dixon-leads-but-deltawing-closing-670683/670683/?s=1&nrt=207|title=Hour 2: Dixon leads, but DeltaWing closing|last=Malsher|first=David|date=January 30, 2016|publisher=motorsport.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104175503/https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hour-2-dixon-leads-but-deltawing-closing-670683/670683/?s=1&nrt=207|archive-date=January 4, 2020|access-date=January 4, 2020}} He continued in the No. 5 AXR Corvette DP with no major problems. John Pew's MSR Ligier-Honda appeared to miss the braking point and struck the rear of Van Overbeek's car at the Bus Stop chicane. Both cars sustained bodywork damage, and Van Overbeek was sent into a spin.
Legge used the DeltaWing's superior aerodynamic performance to retake the lead, making her the first woman to lead a lap of the race outright.{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-post-race-notebook/|title=Daytona Post-Race Notebook|last=Dagys|first=John|date=February 1, 2016|publisher=SportsCar365|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215002846/http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-post-race-notebook/|archive-date=February 15, 2016|access-date=January 6, 2020}} She opened up a two-second lead just as the Prototype entries made another sequence of pit stops. The ESM car had its rear wing repaired and diffuser altered, as Andy Meyrick took over from Legge in the DeltaWing. This returned McMurray's No. 2 CGR Riley-Ford to first position. Bell's No. 11 O'Gara Lamborghini was forced to enter the garage with a series of electrical problems that dropped the car down the GTD order. Dane Cameron's No. 5 AXR car and WTR driver Angelelli dueled for the lead and allowed the No. 55 Lola-Mazda and Meyrick to close up to the pair.
=Night=
As night fell, the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) cars struggled to generate tyre temperature.{{Cite journal |last=Watkins |first=Gary |date=February 1, 2016 |title=LMP2 breaks through at Daytona |url=https://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/autosport/2016/02/AS2016.02.04.pdf |journal=Autosport |pages=20–27 |access-date=August 28, 2022 |via=Porsche Cars History |archive-date=August 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828144724/https://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/autosport/2016/02/AS2016.02.04.pdf |url-status=live }} Sean Johnston's No. 88 Starworks Oreca spun at the exit to the pit lane. He made contact with the wall and destroyed the car's front left corner. That wheel locked up and forced Johnston to return to the pit lane at a slow pace. Meyrick was later issued a stop-and-go penalty because he spun the DeltaWing's rear tires while it was suspended in the air on its jack for a tire change. Chris Cumming stalled the No. 8 Starworks vehicle on the racing line in the center before the first turn. He attempted to restart the car, and IMSA did not immediately activate the caution procedure. Almost 1{{1/2}} minutes later, Meyrick could not react in time,{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/massive-shunt-for-deltawing-in-fourth-hour-of-rolex-24-670688/670688/|title=Massive shunt for DeltaWing in fourth hour of Rolex 24|last=DeGroot|first=Nick|date=January 31, 2016|publisher=motorsport.com|access-date=January 4, 2020|archive-date=September 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908100909/https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/massive-shunt-for-deltawing-in-fourth-hour-of-rolex-24-670688/670688/|url-status=live}} braked {{convert|150|ft|m}} after not noticing yellow flags, and the DeltaWing's front struck the rear of Cumming's car with enough force to lift it from the ground. Meyrick and Cumming were evaluated at the infield care center, and Cumming was not cleared to compete. The full course caution was activated for the third time to recover the stricken cars. In the meantime, Angelelli's WTR Corvette DP overtook Cameron's No. 31 AXR car for the outright lead as they negotiated past the No. 8 Starworks Oreca. IMSA officials deemed the pass to have occurred under exceptional circumstances and changed the positions.
When racing resumed, Bomarito's No. 55 Lola-Mazda led overall with the Corvette cars of Milner and García first and second in GTLM. McMurray's No. 2 CGR Riley-Ford took the lead from Bomarito on the inside line before he experienced understeer and Milner made light contact with him.{{cite web|last=Malsher|first=David|title=Hour 5: Pla puts Shank into the lead|url=https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hour-5-pla-puts-shank-into-the-lead-670690/670690/|publisher=motorsport.com|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=January 4, 2020|archive-date=September 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918191047/https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hour-5-pla-puts-shank-into-the-lead-670690/670690/|url-status=live}} McMurray stalled the Riley-Ford just after the racing line at the International Horseshoe turn; no driver hit his car. Angelelli's WTR Corvette DP incurred a penalty for overtaking under yellow flag conditions, giving Bomarito's No. 55 Lola-Mazda a large lead. Konrad's GTD-leading No. 28 Lamborghini earned a penalty for failing to comply with the wave-around procedure during the caution, falling one lap behind Bryan Sellers' PMR car. Pla returned MSR to the lead shortly after. Before the fourth hour was over, a fourth full course yellow was needed to clear the track: Brandon Gdovic locked the wheels on the No. 38 Performance Tech car into the Bus Stop chicane and spun under braking.
As the safety car was recalled, the PC-class leading No. 54 CORE Oreca was brought into the garage by driver Mark Wilkins to be retired after he reported that a vibration jolted the car on NASCAR turn four due to an engine failure causing oil to leak from the engine bay.{{cite press release|title=Rolex 24 Ends Early for CORE|url=http://coreautosport.com/rolex-24-ends-early-for-core/|publisher=CORE Autosport|date=February 1, 2016|access-date=January 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208090214/http://coreautosport.com/rolex-24-ends-early-for-core/|archive-date=February 8, 2016|url-status=dead}} The car's retirement elevated the No. 52 PR1/Mathiasen car of José Gutiérrez to the lead of PC by two laps over the class field. A fifth caution came out shortly after when Don Yount spun and stalled the No. 26 BAR1 Oreca following a collision with Tandy's GTLM-class leading No. 911 Porsche.{{cite web|last=Dagys|first=John|title=Allmendinger Leads at Six-Hour Mark in Daytona|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/allmendinger-leads-at-six-hour-mark-at-daytona/|publisher=SportsCar365|date=January 30, 2016|access-date=January 4, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413210922/http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/allmendinger-leads-at-six-hour-mark-at-daytona/|archive-date=April 13, 2016}} During the caution, the second-placed No. 55 Lola-Mazda of Bomarito and later Pigot had its steering wheel changed in a failed attempt to repair its lighting system. Mazda changed the car's electronic control unit, and it rejoined the race two laps down in ninth.{{cite web|last1=Horrocks|first1=Gary|last2=Ehrlich|first2=Kevin|title=IMSA: Rolex 24 at Daytona, Hours 5–8, In To The Night|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/31/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-hours-5-8.html|publisher=DailySportsCar|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=January 4, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816100357/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/31/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-hours-5-8.html|archive-date=August 16, 2016}} A sixth caution was necessitated for 13 minutes when Mark Kvamme crashed the No. 88 Starworks car at the Bus Stop Chicane. Two further cautions came out within 30 minutes when Ben Keating spun and damaged the No. 93 Riley Viper at the Western Horseshoe turn and the No. 21 Konrad Lamborghini required recovery shortly after.{{cite web|last=Malsher|first=David|title=Hour 8: Shank on top; PR1/Mathiasen dominating PC|url=https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hour-8-shank-on-top-pr1-mathiasen-dominating-pc-670701/670701/|publisher=motorsport.com|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=January 4, 2020|archive-date=August 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831120700/https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hour-8-shank-on-top-pr1-mathiasen-dominating-pc-670701/670701/|url-status=live}}
The cautions brought the first eight cars in GTLM onto the same lap with Bamber's No. 912 Porsche leading Magnussen's No. 3 Corvette and Calado's No. 72 SMP Ferrari. The No. 1 CGR car of Tony Kanaan was required to enter the garage to replace brakes that had lost pressure when applied into the first corner. Repairs took 15 minutes to complete, and the car rejoined the race with Larson driving it 10 laps behind the race leader. A further two cautions came when Koch stopped against a wall leaving the Bus Stop chicane,{{cite web|last1=Ehrlich|first1=Kevin|last2=Horrocks|first2=Gary|title=IMSA: Rolex 24 at Daytona, Hours 9–10, Michael Shank Retires From Lead|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/31/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-hours-9-10-michael-shank-retires-from-lead.html|publisher=DailySportsCar|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=January 4, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816080116/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/31/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-hours-9-10-michael-shank-retires-from-lead.html|archive-date=August 16, 2016}} and Eversley spun and stalled the No. 26 BAR1 Oreca in the infield grass at the Western Horseshoe corner. Nine and a half hours into the race, the race-leading No. 60 MSR Ligier-Honda developed engine problems that caused it to leak oil on the track as Negri stopped on the run-off area at the Western Horseshoe turn. An 11th caution was necessitated for officials to dry the oil laid on the track, and to move Negri's car to the garage to be retired. Its retirement promoted Sharp's ESM Ligier-Honda to the outright lead before he took a stop-and-hold penalty for passing a red light at the exit of the pit lane and handing the position to Scott Pruett's No. 5 AXR car.
The PMR and Change Lamborghini cars of Miller and Justin Marks, who had been dueling for the lead of GTD, collided on the entry to turn one. Both cars spun and the PMR car sustained heavy rear suspension and left-front toe link damage by striking the end of the pit lane barrier.{{Cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/gtd-leading-lamborghinis-crash-out-in-hour-11/|title=GTD Leading Lamborghinis Crash Out in Hour 11|last=DiZinno|first=Tony|date=January 31, 2016|publisher=SportsCar365|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112230904/https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/gtd-leading-lamborghinis-crash-out-in-hour-11/|archive-date=November 12, 2019|access-date=January 5, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/31/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-hours-11-12-2-esm-led-the-race-at-half-way.html|title=IMSA: Rolex 24 at Daytona, Hours 11–12, #2 ESM Leads The Race At Half-way|last=Ehrlich|first=Kevin|last2=Horrocks|first2=Gary|date=January 31, 2016|publisher=DailySportsCar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816090057/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/31/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-hours-11-12-2-esm-led-the-race-at-half-way.html|archive-date=August 16, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2020}} The collision promoted Van Gisbergen's AJR Porsche to the class lead with Alex Riberas' car second. It prompted a 27-minute 12th caution. When racing resumed, Tandy returned the No. 911 Porsche to the top of GTLM and Pruett and Angelelli battled for the outright lead. Sven Müller moved the Frikadelli Porsche to the lead of GTD before the No. 55 Lola-Mazda's retirement from a rear value train problem with Tristan Nunez caused the 13th caution. Following 19 minutes of green flag racing, the No. 50 Highway car of Thomas Gruber stopped with suspected electrical issues requiring a 14th caution to allow the car to be extricated to the pit lane. Scuderia Corsa's Pier Guidi used the caution to take the GTLM class lead, and Derani overtook Pruett's No. 5 AXR car to return ESM to first position before the 12-hour mark.
=Morning to early afternoon=
A suspected brake disc failure sent Luhr's No. 100 BMW into the outside barrier at turn one and caused heavy damage to the car and debris littered the area. He was sent across an access road and stopped at turn six. Luhr was uninjured, but the damage sustained to the BMW necessitated its retirement.{{cite web|last=Malsher|first=David|title=Hour 13: Pagenaud leading Action Express 1–2|url=https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hour-13-pagenaud-leading-action-express-1-2-670725/670725/|publisher=motorsport.com|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2020|archive-date=September 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908103901/https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hour-13-pagenaud-leading-action-express-1-2-670725/670725/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Dagys|first=John|title=No. 31 Action Express Corvette DP Catches Fire in Hour 15|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/no-31-action-express-corvette-dp-catches-fire-in-hour-15/|publisher=SportsCar365|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112230931/https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/no-31-action-express-corvette-dp-catches-fire-in-hour-15/|archive-date=November 12, 2019}} A 13-minute 15th caution was deployed to clear the debris. After the resumption of racing, Simon Pagenaud's No. 31 AXR Corvette DP took the lead from Ed Brown's ESM Ligier-Honda. The lead of GTLM changed from Scuderia Corsa to Porsche returning to first and second with Kévin Estre's No. 911 car ahead of Bamber's No. 912 entry. The fourth-placed car in GTLM of García was hit by Olivier Beretta's Risi Ferrari. García continued without major damage to the No. 3 car. Pier Guidi separated the two Porsche cars by using a 16th caution for the SMP BR01-Nissan stopping on the circuit to take second in class. The No. 52 PR1/Mathiasen Oreca was forced to enter the garage for repairs to a malfunctioning fuel pump relay, losing the team 20 laps to the PC class-leading No. 85 JDC/Miller entry.{{cite press release|title=PR1 Motorsports Finishes P2 At Rolex 24|url=http://pr1motorsports.com/news/2016/2/4/pr1-motorsports-finishes-p2-at-rolex-24|publisher=PR1 Motorsports|date=February 4, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413123153/http://pr1motorsports.com/news/2016/2/4/pr1-motorsports-finishes-p2-at-rolex-24|archive-date=April 13, 2017}}
The close of the 14th hour saw the 17th caution: the No. 007 TRG-AMR Aston Martin of Antonio Pérez and Emanuele Busnell's No. 21 Konrad Lamborghini made contact causing the Aston Martin to spin and rest against a tire barrier on the outside of the Bus Stop chicane. Both cars were retired from the event. The two GTLM class-leading Porsche cars had their brake discs changed and promoted Bill Auberlen's No. 25 BMW to the category lead. Marc Goossens led at the restart in the No. 90 VFR Corvette DP before Cameron of AXR overtook him leaving the International Horseshoe corner. Five Prototype cars were within one second of each other as Goossens retook the lead from Cameron not long after.{{cite web|last=Malsher|first=David|title=Hour 15: Several prototypes still in contention|url=https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hour-15-several-prototypes-still-in-contention-670745/670745/|publisher=motorsport.com|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2020|archive-date=September 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918222838/https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hour-15-several-prototypes-still-in-contention-670745/670745/|url-status=live}} Before the 15th hour ended, the No. 31 AXR Corvette DP had a flash fire when fuel hit the car's cockpit and bodywork. JDC/Miller had an anxious moment when Koch damaged the No. 85 Oreca's front bodywork and suspension against a tire barrier. Koch returned to the pit lane and repairs were fast enough for his team not to relinquish the PC class lead to Yount's No. 26 BAR1 car.
The No. 67 Ford of Stefan Mücke stalled off the circuit in the center of the Bus Stop chicane in the early morning necessitating the 18th caution. Around this time, teams began to decide who would run the rest of the event. Sharp got ESM back onto the same lap as the top five and into second overall. Tracy Krohn's stall prompted the 19th caution since his Audi required recovery to the pit lane. A sequence of pit stops promoted AXR's Christian Fittipaldi to the lead, which he maintained when racing resumed. One lap later, Derani overtook Jordan Taylor for second, as García ceded the No. 3 Corvette's hold on second in GTLM by taking a drive-through penalty for pit lane speeding.{{cite web|last=Malsher|first=David|title=Hour 18: Fittipaldi holds off charging ESM Ligier|url=https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hour-18-fittipaldi-holds-off-charging-esm-ligier-670778/670778|publisher=motorsport.com|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2020|archive-date=September 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926061636/https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hour-18-fittipaldi-holds-off-charging-esm-ligier-670778/670778/|url-status=live}} Derani overtook Fittipaldi of AXR for the lead at the start of the 19th hour. Corvette Racing returned to first and second in GTLM with Milner and the recovering García bump drafting each other to pass Makowiecki's No. 912 Porsche. The third-placed GTLM No. 911 Porsche entered the garage with a faulty left-rear driveshaft, as the No. 85 JDC/Miller car had a change of front toe link at a pit stop.
Patrick Lindsey's No. 73 PPM car had a front axle failure exiting the fifth corner and slowed en route to the pit lane.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Luke|title=Lindsey takes wrong exit, ends up driving through infield at Rolex 24|url=https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2016/01/31/lindsey-takes-wrong-exit-ends-up-driving-through-infield-at-rolex-24/|publisher=NBC Sports|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180610002836/https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2016/01/31/lindsey-takes-wrong-exit-ends-up-driving-through-infield-at-rolex-24/|archive-date=June 10, 2018}} He asked a guard to open a gate for access to the infield via an exit road on the circuit to avoid a caution. Lindsey negotiated his way past stationary vehicles, temporary structures and spectators to his garage.{{cite web|last=Pockrass|first=Bob|title=Race car driver Patrick Lindsey gets stranded in traffic|url=https://www.espn.com/racing/story/_/id/14684974/patrick-lindsey-drives-spectators-general-traffic-rolex-24-daytona|publisher=ESPN|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703055550/https://www.espn.com/racing/story/_/id/14684974/patrick-lindsey-drives-spectators-general-traffic-rolex-24-daytona|archive-date=July 3, 2019}}{{cite news|title=Rolex 24 driver takes odd detour through Daytona infield|url=https://www.si.com/racing/2016/01/31/ap-car-imsa-daytona-sunday-drive|work=Sports Illustrated|agency=Associated Press|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2020|archive-date=September 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926061635/https://www.si.com/racing/2016/01/31/ap-car-imsa-daytona-sunday-drive|url-status=live}} Van Gisbergen was faster than Marco Seefried's No. 44 Magnus Audi and used a better corner exit to pass him for the GTD lead. At the front, Derani was relieved by Van Overbeek in the ESM Ligier-Honda. Angelelli for WTR caught and passed Van Overbeek in slower traffic to reclaim first position in the 20th hour. Van Overbeek was able to maintain the pace of Angelelli and prevented the latter from pulling away.
The 20th caution came out when the No. 67 Ford stopped between NASCAR turns one and two with a low voltage. Bodywork from the right rear of the No. 28 Konrad Lamborghini also needed clearing.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/31/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-hours-21-23-esm-wtr-duel-to-the-final-hour.html|title=IMSA: Rolex 24 at Daytona, Hours 21–23, ESM & WTR Duel To The Final Hour|last=Ehrlich|first=Kevin|date=January 31, 2016|publisher=DailySportsCar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115022001/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/31/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-hours-21-23-esm-wtr-duel-to-the-final-hour.html|archive-date=November 15, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2020}} Several drivers made pit stops during the caution. Fässler in the GTLM class-leading No. 4 Corvette ignored a red light at the exit of the pit lane, earning him a one-minute stop-and-hold penalty, and lost the category lead to his teammate Rockenfeller. AJR's GTD-leading No. 23 Porsche was assessed a three-minute stop-and-hold penalty for non-compliance of the wave-by procedure. Filipe Albuquerque retook the lead for AXR and maintained it until he entered the garage to replace a broken left-rear driveshaft. Repairs took ten minutes to complete, and the team lost five laps and the lead to Angelelli. A drive-through penalty imposed on Van Overbeek's ESM Ligier-Honda for speeding in the pit lane allowed Angelelli to draw further away.{{cite web|title=Hour 22: ESM hit with pit lane penalty as Larson crashes out|url=https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hour-22-esm-hit-with-pit-lane-penalty-as-larson-crashes-out-670809/670809|publisher=motorsport.com|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2020|archive-date=September 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926061638/https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hour-22-esm-hit-with-pit-lane-penalty-as-larson-crashes-out-670809/670809/|url-status=live}} That was nullified when braking issues sent Larson's No. 1 CGR Riley-Ford into the tire barrier at the West Horseshoe corner, triggering the 21st and final caution.
=Finish=
Derani relieved Van Overbeek in the ESM Ligier-Honda and closed up to WTR's unwell race-leading Jordan Taylor. He overtook Taylor on the outside, leaving NASCAR turn four to reclaim the lead. The Alex Job Porsche of Shane Van Gisbergen was within a second of Rast in the No. 44 Magnus Audi at the front of GTD when the car's rear wing collapsed with 50 minutes left due to a negative camber setting creating stress. He consequently spun into the infield and lost six seconds to Rast.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Fred|title=Extreme Speed, Corvette Racing Win Rolex 24 at Daytona|url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a28052/extreme-speed-corvette-racing-win-rolex-24-at-daytona/|work=Road & Track|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126140225/http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a28052/extreme-speed-corvette-racing-win-rolex-24-at-daytona/|archive-date=January 26, 2018}} Van Gisbergen made a pit stop for repairs to the rear wing and AJR dropped out of contention for a GTD class podium. Bamber's No. 912 Porsche had moved to the front of GTLM. He maintained the position until Gavin aboard the No. 4 Corvette employed a bump and run passing technique for first in class. IMSA race control took no action over the contact between Gavin and Bamber after deeming it acceptable. Gavin's teammate García overtook Bamber for second in GTLM.
File:Oliver Gavin.jpg (pictured in 2009) held off his Corvette Racing teammate Antonio García to win in the GTLM category for the No. 4 team by 0.034 seconds.]]
Unchallenged in the final hour of the race after a power steering failure and rising transmission temperatures,{{cite web|last=Bradley|first=Charles|title=Rolex 24 star Derani reveals late gearbox sensor scare|url=https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/rolex-24-star-derani-reveals-late-gearbox-sensor-scare-670838/670838/|publisher=motorsport.com|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=January 12, 2016|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112132447/https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/rolex-24-star-derani-reveals-late-gearbox-sensor-scare-670838/670838/|url-status=live}} Derani achieved victory for the ESM team, who completed 736 laps and finished 26.166 seconds ahead of the WTR Corvette DP of Angelelli in second. VFR followed 1 minute and 27 seconds later with the No. 90 Corvette DP to complete the overall podium in third after recovering from a lap down due to a switch of electronic control unit at a pit stop late on. It was Honda, Ligier and ESM's first Daytona win. The Ligier JS P2 became the first LMP2 car to win outright at Daytona for its first major endurance victory.{{cite web|last=Dagys|first=John|title=Tequila Patron ESM Breaks Through for Rolex 24 Win|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/tequila-patron-esm-breaks-through-for-rolex-24-win/|publisher=SportsCar365|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215002842/http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/tequila-patron-esm-breaks-through-for-rolex-24-win/|archive-date=February 15, 2016}}
Once García moved into second in GTLM, Corvette Racing team manager Doug Fehan assured him there would be no team orders. Fehan wanted to let both cars race for the win, and spoke to Chevrolet United States vice president Jim Campbell, General Motors director of racing Mark Kent, and president of General Motors North America Mark Reuss, who all concurred with Fehan. Gavin his race engineer told him he and García could duel each other with no contact.{{Cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/corvette-reflects-on-2016-rolex-24-photo-finish/|title=Inside Corvette's 2016 Rolex 24 Photo Finish|last=Myrehn|first=Ryan|date=January 28, 2017|publisher=SportsCar365|access-date=January 4, 2020|archive-date=September 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926061637/https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/corvette-reflects-on-2016-rolex-24-photo-finish/|url-status=live}} García lapped faster than Gavin and battled him for the win in the final 20 minutes, losing to the No. 4 team by 0.034 seconds in the closest class finish in race history.{{Cite web|url=http://autoweek.com/article/imsa/chevrolet-audi-oreca-join-honda-atop-rolex-24-daytona-podium#ixzz4rWMmTuLH|title=Chevrolet Corvette C7.R wins Rolex 24 GTLM class in closest finish ever|date=31 January 2016|website=Autoweek|url-status=live|access-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902190421/http://autoweek.com/article/imsa/chevrolet-audi-oreca-join-honda-atop-rolex-24-daytona-podium#ixzz4rWMmTuLH|archive-date=2 September 2017}} Porsche completed the GTLM podium in third with the No. 912 car. It was Gavin and Milner's first American endurance win since the 2013 12 Hours of Sebring.{{cite web|last=DiZinno|first=Tony|title=Corvette Goes 1–2 in Photo Finish at Rolex 24|url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/corvette-goes-1-2-in-photo-finish-at-daytona/|publisher=SportsCar365|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214165357/http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/corvette-goes-1-2-in-photo-finish-at-daytona/|archive-date=February 14, 2016}}
Rast's No. 44 Magnus Audi continued to lead in GTD by half a minute until Babini in the No. 28 Konrad Lamborghini overtook him into turn one with nine minutes to go. Babini then slowed on the banking of the back straight with a lack of fuel and gave the lead back to Rast after deciding to make a pit stop for fuel, something his team disagreed with. He conserved enough fuel over the final three minutes to win for Magnus Racing by 3.048 seconds over Nicky Catsburg's No. 540 Black Sway Porsche in second. The No. 93 Riley Viper completed the GTD podium in third. It was the Audi R8 LMS' fourth major endurance victory in five starts over the past year and its first American win. JDC/Miller won in PC with Koch ahead of Kimber-Smith's No. 52 PR1/Mathiasen team by four laps in second after PR1/Mathiasen lost time with fuel pump problems. BAR1 completed the class podium in third. There were 56 overall lead changes; ten cars reached the front of the field. The ESM Ligier-Honda led 16 times for a race-high 179 laps.
Post-race
The ESM team appeared in Victory Lane to celebrate their victory in front of the crowd. Derani commented on the final 2{{1/2}} hours, "I was trying to not make any mistakes and keep the gap. To increase the gap up to the end was amazing. I need to thank my team for the amazing car they gave me." Sharp said the win made up for a poor 2015 season, "It is so good to see this come together so well with our merged team with Onroak."{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/31/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-wrap-up-esm-wins-a-star-is-born.html|title=IMSA: Rolex 24 at Daytona, Wrap Up, ESM Wins & A Star Is Born|last=Horrocks|first=Gary|date=January 31, 2016|publisher=DailySportsCar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509234033/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/31/imsa-rolex-24-at-daytona-wrap-up-esm-wins-a-star-is-born.html|archive-date=May 9, 2016|access-date=January 6, 2020}} Van Overbeek said of ESM's success, "I was reflecting on this win here. Ed and I were responsible for two of the three P2 wins and it makes me happy. Running the P2 made me feel a bit like a red-haired step child, so to win here with a P2 makes me feel quite proud of all of our efforts." Honda Performance Development's Allen Miller said the manufacturer was "ecstatic" to win, its first in its third attempt, and compared the effort it took to win to its IndyCar program.{{Cite web |title=Honda wins for first time in Rolex 24 At Daytona |url=https://www.indycar.com/News/2016/01/01-31-Rolex-24-Finish |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=IndyCar.com}} Jordan Taylor believed his team were satisfied to finish second and his brother Ricky Taylor felt the race was an example of "one of the more treacherous 24-hour races in the night" due to slower PC class cars impeding him.{{cite press release|title=2016 Rolex 24 Post Race Report|url=https://waynetaylorracing.com/news/?cid=64266|publisher=Wayne Taylor Racing|date=February 3, 2016|access-date=January 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426062328/http://www.waynetaylorracing.com/news/?cid=64266|archive-date=April 26, 2016|url-status=live}}
Doug Fehan said the battle of the two Corvette cars for the win in GTLM in the final hour was "one of those moments in my own personal career that will always stand out as being really what this sport embodies and what Corvette Racing embodies. It was a wonderful moment in time." Gavin recalled before the 2017 race he had celebrated shortly after achieving victory for the team and praised his teammate García's sportsmanship, "All I could think about was my boss, Doug Fehan and what he would say if we did touch. Then on the last lap I was thinking I had just enough on him, but then he towed up behind me. It was like the line was just going away from me. I couldn't get to the line fast enough. I've just seen a picture of it, actually, and it was pretty close." Lindsey's drive to the infield via the track received attention on social media. He said he learnt of this through a sponsor, and the public thought it was humorous.
Angelelli lost lucidity, strength and awareness of events around him because a cracked exhaust header caused the cockpit of the WTR Corvette DP to fill with exhaust fumes.{{Cite web|url=https://racer.com/2016/02/04/imsa-angelelli-returns-home-after-rolex-24-scare/|title=IMSA: Angelelli returns home after Rolex 24 scare|last=Pruett|first=Marshall|date=February 4, 2016|website=Racer|access-date=January 6, 2020|archive-date=September 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908103603/https://racer.com/2016/02/04/imsa-angelelli-returns-home-after-rolex-24-scare/|url-status=live}} He stopped on the NASCAR turn one run-off area, where track marshals waved yellow flags. WTR requested medical assistance from IMSA after failing to respond to a radio message from fainting with carbon monoxide poisoning. He was hospitalized in Daytona Beach and then Orlando, where he was treated in a hyperbaric chamber. Angelelli was released on February 1 for recuperation. WTR were interviewed by police and provided data and analysis of the incident to IMSA's Safety Field Investigation team.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/02/13/autosprint-interview-reveals-near-catastrophe-for-angelelli-at-rolex-24-hours.html|title=Autosprint Interview Reveals Near Catastrophe For Angelelli at Rolex 24 Hours (Updated)|last=Goodwin|first=Graham|date=February 13, 2016|publisher=DailySportsCar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702171006/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/02/13/autosprint-interview-reveals-near-catastrophe-for-angelelli-at-rolex-24-hours.html|archive-date=July 2, 2019|access-date=January 6, 2020}} The GTD-class winning No. 44 Magnus Audi team was investigated for a suspected violation of drivers' stints but was cleared after IMSA found no rules violation.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/02/02/daytona-post-race-investigations-cleared.html|title=Daytona Post Race Investigations Cleared|last=Goodwin|first=Graham|date=February 2, 2016|publisher=DailySportsCar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509142915/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/02/02/daytona-post-race-investigations-cleared.html|archive-date=May 9, 2016|access-date=January 6, 2020}}
The five Lamborghini Huracán V10 engines were impounded post-race and sent to NASCAR's research and development center in Concord, North Carolina, for dyno testing in February 2016.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/02/22/lamborghini-and-their-customer-teams-penalised-after-daytona-post-race-investigation.html|title=Lamborghini & Its Customer Teams Penalised After Daytona Investigation (Updated)|last=Goodwin|first=Graham|date=February 22, 2016|publisher=DailySportsCar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421175604/http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/02/22/lamborghini-and-their-customer-teams-penalised-after-daytona-post-race-investigation.html|archive-date=April 21, 2019|access-date=January 6, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/lamborghini-gtd-teams-penalized-following-rolex-24-performance/|title=Lamborghini GTD Teams Penalized Following Rolex 24|last=Dagys|first=John|date=February 22, 2016|publisher=SportsCar365|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810074635/http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/lamborghini-gtd-teams-penalized-following-rolex-24-performance/|archive-date=August 10, 2017|access-date=January 6, 2020}} This came after the GTD manufacturers and IMSA communicated via e-mail about a series of requests to adjust the balance of performance before the race because Lamborghini ran an illegal air restrictor from an outdated Audi R8 LMS. 23 days after the event, Change Racing, Konrad Motorsport, O'Gara Motorsport and PMR incurred a retroactive five-minute stop-and-hold penalty for violating a regulation enacted to stop sandbagging.{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/122920/lamborghini-punished-for-sandbagging|title=Lamborghini punished for Daytona 24 Hours sandbagging|date=February 23, 2016|website=Autosport|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106180940/https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/122920/lamborghini-punished-for-sandbagging|archive-date=January 6, 2020|access-date=January 6, 2020}} Lamborghini had its GTD Manufacturers' Championship and NAEC points scored in Daytona invalidated and was fined $25,000. It was the first time since its introduction in 2014 that IMSA imposed the regulation. The No. 28 Konrad car was demoted from fifth to tenth, and the O'Gara car fell from tenth to fifteenth.
Because it was the first race of the season, Brown, Derani, Sharp and Van Overbeek led the Prototype Drivers' Championship with 36 points, with Angelelli, Rubens Barrichello, Jordan Taylor and Ricky Taylor second with 33 points. Misha Goikhberg, Koch, Chris Miller and Simpson led the PC points standings from Robert Alon, Nicholas Boulle, Gutiérrez and Kimber-Smith. Fässler, Gavin and Milner took the lead of the GTLM Drivers' Championship with their teammates García, Magnussen and Rockenfeller in second. In the GTD points standings, Andy Lally, John Potter, Rast and Seefried held sway over Catsburg, Patrick Long, Tim Pappas and Andy Pilgrim.{{Cite web|url=http://results.imsa.com/Results/16_2016/20_Road%20Atlanta/01_IMSA%20WeatherTech%20SportsCar%20Championship/00_Official%20Points.pdf|title=2016 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – Championship Point Standings|date=October 12, 2016|publisher=International Motor Sports Association|access-date=January 6, 2020|archive-date=September 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926061636/http://results.imsa.com/Results/16_2016/20_Road%20Atlanta/01_IMSA%20WeatherTech%20SportsCar%20Championship/00_Official%20Points.pdf|url-status=live}} ESM, JDC/Miller, Corvette Racing and Magnus Racing became the leaders of their respective class Teams' Championships. Honda, Chevrolet and Audi assumed the lead of their respective Manufacturers' Championships with 11 races left in the season.
Race results
Class winners are denoted in bold. P stands for Prototype, PC (Prototype Challenge), GTLM (Grand Touring Le Mans) and GTD (Grand Touring Daytona).
| valign="top"
| {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |+Final race classification ! rowspan=2 | {{Abbr|Pos|Position}} ! rowspan=2 | Class ! rowspan=2 | {{Abbr|No.|Car number}} ! rowspan=2 | Team ! rowspan=2 | Drivers ! scope="col" | Chassis ! rowspan=2 | Tire ! rowspan=2 | {{Abbr|Laps|Laps completed}} ! rowspan=2 | Time/Retired |
| scope="col" | Engine |
|---|
| style="font-weight:bold"
! rowspan=2 | 1 | rowspan=2 | P | rowspan=2 | 2 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Tequila Patrón ESM | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Scott Sharp | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 736 | rowspan=2 | 24:00:34.607 |
| style="font-weight:bold"
| Honda HR35TT 3.5 Turbo V6 |
| rowspan=2 | 2
| rowspan=2 | P | rowspan=2 | 10 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Wayne Taylor Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Ricky Taylor | rowspan=2| {{Continental}} | rowspan=2| 736 | rowspan=2| + 26.166 |
| Chevrolet LS9 5.5 L V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 3
| rowspan=2 | P | rowspan=2 | 90 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} VisitFlorida Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|GBR}} Ryan Dalziel | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 736 | rowspan=2 | + 1:27.276 |
| Chevrolet LS9 5.5 L V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 4
| rowspan=2 | P | rowspan=2 | 5 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Action Express Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|BRA}} Christian Fittipaldi | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 731 | rowspan=2 | + 5 Laps |
| Chevrolet LS9 5.5 L V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 5
| rowspan=2 | P | rowspan=2 | 01 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Ford Chip Ganassi Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|CAN}} Lance Stroll | Riley MkXXVI | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 725 | rowspan=2 | + 11 Laps |
| Ford EcoBoost 3.5 L Turbo V6 |
| rowspan=2 | 6
| rowspan=2 | P | rowspan=2 | 31 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Action Express Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Dane Cameron | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 724 | rowspan=2 | + 12 Laps |
| Chevrolet LS9 5.5 L V8 |
| style="font-weight:bold"
! rowspan=2 | 7 | rowspan=2 | GTLM | rowspan=2 | 4 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Corvette Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|GBR}} Oliver Gavin | rowspan=2 | {{Michelin}} | rowspan=2 | 722 | rowspan=2 | + 14 Laps |
| style="font-weight:bold"
| Chevrolet LT5.5 5.5 L V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 8
| rowspan=2 | GTLM | rowspan=2 | 3 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Corvette Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|ESP}} Antonio García | rowspan=2 | {{Michelin}} | rowspan=2 | 722 | rowspan=2 | + 14 Laps |
| Chevrolet LT5.5 5 L V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 9
| rowspan=2 | GTLM | rowspan=2 | 912 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Porsche North America | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|NZL}} Earl Bamber | rowspan=2 | {{Michelin}} | rowspan=2 | 722 | rowspan=2 | + 14 Laps |
| Porsche 4.0 L Flat-6 |
| rowspan=2 | 10
| rowspan=2 | GTLM | rowspan=2 | 68 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Scuderia Corsa | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|ITA}} Alessandro Pier Guidi | rowspan=2 | {{Michelin}} | rowspan=2 | 721 | rowspan=2 | + 15 Laps |
| Ferrari F154 CB 3.9 L Turbo V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 11
| rowspan=2 | GTLM | rowspan=2 | 25 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} BMW Team RLL | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Bill Auberlen | rowspan=2 | {{Michelin}} | rowspan=2 | 721 | rowspan=2 | + 15 Laps |
| BMW 4.4 L Turbo V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 12
| rowspan=2 | GTLM | rowspan=2 | 62 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Risi Competizione | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|ITA}} Giancarlo Fisichella | rowspan=2 | {{Michelin}} | rowspan=2 | 709 | rowspan=2 | + 27 Laps |
| Ferrari F154 CB 3.9 L Turbo V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 13
| rowspan=2 | P | rowspan=2 | 02 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Ford Chip Ganassi Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|NZL}} Scott Dixon | Riley MkXXVI | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 708 | rowspan=2 | + 28 Laps |
| Ford EcoBoost 3.5 L Turbo V6 |
| style="font-weight:bold"
! rowspan=2 | 14 | rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 44 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Magnus Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} John Potter | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 703 | rowspan=2 | + 33 Laps |
| style="font-weight:bold"
| Audi 5.0 L V10 |
| rowspan=2 | 15
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 540 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Black Swan Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Tim Pappas | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 703 | rowspan=2 | + 33 Laps |
| Porsche 4.0 L Flat 6 |
| rowspan=2 | 16
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 93 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Riley Motorsports | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Ben Keating | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 703 | rowspan=2 | +33 Laps |
| Viper 8.4 L V10 |
| rowspan=2 | 17
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 98 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Aston Martin Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|CAN}} Paul Dalla Lana | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 702 | rowspan=2 | + 34 Laps |
| Aston Martin 6.0 L V12 |
| style="font-weight:bold"
! rowspan=2 | 18 | rowspan=2 | PC | rowspan=2 | 85 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} JDC-Miller MotorSports | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Chris Miller | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 702 | rowspan=2 | + 34 Laps |
| style="font-weight:bold"
| Chevrolet 6.2 L V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 19
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 97 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Turner Motorsport | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Michael Marsal | BMW M6 GT3 | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 701 | rowspan=2 | + 35 Laps |
| BMW 4.4 L Turbo V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 20
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 63 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Scuderia Corsa | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|DNK}} Christina Nielsen | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 701 | rowspan=2 | + 35 Laps |
| Ferrari 4.5 L V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 21
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 9 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Stevenson Motorsports | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Kenny Habul | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 701 | rowspan=2 | + 35 Laps |
| Audi 5.0 L V10 |
| rowspan=2 | 22
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 23 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Team Seattle / Alex Job Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|GBR}} Ian James | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 700 | rowspan=2 | + 36 Laps |
| Porsche 4.0 L Flat 6 |
| rowspan=2 | 23
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 33 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Riley Motorsports | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Ben Keating | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 700 | rowspan=2 | + 36 Laps |
| Viper 8.4 L V10 |
| rowspan=2| 24
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 28 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|AUT}} Konrad Motorsport | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|CHE}} Rolf Ineichen | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 699 | rowspan=2 | + 37 Laps{{ref|4|4}} |
| Lamborghini 5.2 L V10 |
| rowspan=2 | 25
| rowspan=2 | PC | rowspan=2 | 52 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Robert Alon | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 698 | rowspan=2 | + 38 Laps |
| Chevrolet 6.2 L V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 26
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 51 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Spirit of Race | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Peter Mann | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 698 | rowspan=2 | + 38 Laps |
| Ferrari 4.5 L V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 27
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 30 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|GER}} Frikadelli Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|GER}} Klaus Abbelen | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 698 | rowspan=2 | + 38 Laps |
| Porsche 4.0 L Flat 6 |
| rowspan=2 | 28
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 22 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Alex Job Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} David MacNeil | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 695 | rowspan=2 | + 41 Laps |
| Porsche 4.0 L Flat 6 |
| rowspan=2 | 29
| rowspan=2 | PC | rowspan=2 | 20 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} BAR1 Motorsports | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Marc Drumwright | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 693 | rowspan=2 | +43 Laps |
| Chevrolet 6.2 L V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 30
| rowspan=2 | GTLM | rowspan=2 | 66 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Ford Chip Ganassi Racing | rowspan=2| {{flagicon|USA}} Joey Hand | Ford GT | rowspan=2 | {{Michelin}} | rowspan=2 | 690 | rowspan=2 | + 46 Laps |
| Ford EcoBoost 3.5 L Turbo V6 |
| rowspan=2 | 31
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 6 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Stevenson Motorsports | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|GBR}} Robin Liddell | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 690 | rowspan=2 | + 46 Laps |
| Audi 5.0 L V10 |
| rowspan=2 | 32
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 11 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} O'Gara Motorsport | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Townsend Bell | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 687 | rowspan=2 | + 49 Laps{{ref|4|4}} |
| Lamborghini 5.2 L V10 |
| rowspan=2 | 33
| rowspan=2 | GTLM | rowspan=2 | 911 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Porsche North America | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|FRA}} Patrick Pilet | rowspan=2 | {{Michelin}} | rowspan=2 | 687 | rowspan=2 | + 49 Laps |
| Porsche 4.0 L Flat-6 |
| rowspan=2 | 34
| rowspan=2 | PC | rowspan=2 | 8 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Starworks Motorsport | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|VEN}} Alex Popow | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 685 | rowspan=2 | + 51 Laps |
| Chevrolet 6.2 L V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 35
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 48 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Paul Miller Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|ITA}} Mirko Bortolotti | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 652 | rowspan=2 | + 84 Laps{{ref|4|4}} |
| Lamborghini 5.2 L V10 |
| rowspan=2 | 36
| rowspan=2 | P | rowspan=2 | 50 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Highway to Help | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Jim Pace | Riley MkXXVI | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 650 | rowspan=2 | + 86 Laps |
| Dinan-BMW 5.0 L V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 37
| rowspan=2 | P | rowspan=2 | 37 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|RUS}} SMP Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|ITA}} Maurizio Mediani | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 617 | rowspan=2 | + 119 Laps |
| Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 38
| rowspan=2 | PC | rowspan=2 | 26 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} BAR1 Motorsports | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Adam Merzon | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 610 | rowspan=2 | + 126 Laps |
| Chevrolet 6.2 L V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 39
| rowspan=2 | GTLM | rowspan=2 | 67 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Ford Chip Ganassi Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Ryan Briscoe | Ford GT | rowspan=2 | {{Michelin}} | rowspan=2 | 560 | rowspan=2 | + 176 Laps |
| Ford EcoBoost 3.5 L Turbo V6 |
| rowspan=2 | 40
| rowspan=2 | GTLM | rowspan=2 | 72 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|RUS}} SMP Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|RUS}} Viktor Shaitar | rowspan=2 | {{Michelin}} | rowspan=2 | 557 | rowspan=2 | Engine |
| Ferrari F154 CB 3.9 L Turbo V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 41
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 73 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Park Place Motorsports | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Patrick Lindsey | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 524 | rowspan=2 | + 212 Laps |
| Porsche 4.0 L Flat 6 |
| rowspan=2 | 42
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 16 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Change Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Spencer Pumpelly | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 521 | rowspan=2 | + 215 Laps{{ref|4|4}} |
| Lamborghini 5.2 L V10 |
| rowspan=2 | 43
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 45 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Flying Lizard Motorsports | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|SWE}} Niclas Jönsson | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 513 | rowspan=2 | Transmission |
| Audi 5.0 L V10 |
| rowspan=2 | 44
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 007 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} TRG-AMR | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|MEX}} Santiago Creel | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 390 | rowspan=2 | Crash |
| Aston Martin 6.0 L V12 |
| rowspan=2 | 45
| rowspan=2 | PC | rowspan=2 | 38 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Performance Tech | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} James French | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 385 | rowspan=2 | Electrical |
| Chevrolet 6.2 L V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 46
| rowspan=2 | GTLM | rowspan=2 | 100 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} BMW Team RLL | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|GER}} Lucas Luhr | rowspan=2 | {{Michelin}} | rowspan=2 | 360 | rowspan=2 | Crash |
| BMW 4.4 L Turbo V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 47
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 21 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|AUT}} Konrad Motorsport | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|ITA}} Emanuele Busnelli | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 356 | rowspan=2 | Crash{{ref|4|4}} |
| Lamborghini 5.2 L V10 |
| rowspan=2 | 48
| rowspan=2 | GTD | rowspan=2 | 96 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Turner Motorsport | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Bret Curtis | BMW M6 GT3 | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 628 | rowspan=2 | + 108 Laps{{ref|5|5}} |
| BMW 4.4 L Turbo V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 49
| rowspan=2 | P | rowspan=2 | 55 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Mazda Motorsports | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Jonathan Bomarito | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 327 | rowspan=2 | Valve |
| Mazda MZ-2.0T 2.0 L I4 Turbo |
| rowspan=2 | 50
| rowspan=2 | P | rowspan=2 | 60 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Michael Shank Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} John Pew | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 285 | rowspan=2 | Engine |
| Honda HR35TT 3.5 Turbo V6 |
| rowspan=2 | 51
| rowspan=2 | PC | rowspan=2 | 88 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Starworks Motorsport | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Mark Kvamme | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 179 | rowspan=2 | Crash |
| Chevrolet 6.2 L V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 52
| rowspan=2 | PC | rowspan=2 | 54 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} CORE Autosport | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Jon Bennett | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 160 | rowspan=2 | Engine |
| Chevrolet 6.2 L V8 |
| rowspan=2 | 53
| rowspan=2 | P | rowspan=2 | 0 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Panoz DeltaWing Racing | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|GBR}} Katherine Legge | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 119 | rowspan=2 | Crash |
| Élan 1.9 L Turbo I4 |
| rowspan=2 | 54
| rowspan=2 | P | rowspan=2 | 70 | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Mazda Motorsports | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|USA}} Joel Miller | rowspan=2 | {{Continental}} | rowspan=2 | 11 | rowspan=2 | Flywheel |
| Mazda MZ-2.0T 2.0 L I4 Turbo |
| colspan="11" |{{center|{{small|Source:{{cite web|title=2016 IMSA SportsCar Championship Daytona 24 Hours|url=https://results.motorsportstats.com/results/2016-daytona-24-hours/classification|publisher=Motorsport Stats|access-date=January 6, 2020|archive-date=September 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926061640/https://motorsportstats.com/results/imsa-sportscar-championship/2016/daytona-24-hours/classification|url-status=live}}}}}} |
| class="sortbottom" |
|
| style="margin-right:0; font-size:90%" class="wikitable"
|+ Tyre manufacturers ! scope="col" colspan=2 | Key | |
| scope="col"| Symbol | scope="col" | Tyre manufacturer |
|---|---|
| {{Continental}} | Continental |
| {{Michelin}} | Michelin |
|}
Notes:
- {{note|4|4}}{{snd}}All four teams who entered a Lamborghini car incurred a retroactive five-minute stop-and-hold penalty for an engine performance transgression.
- {{note|5|5}}{{snd}}The No. 96 Turner Motorsport BMW was sent to the rear of the GTD finishing order for a maximum driving stint violation.{{cite web|last=DiZinno|first=Tony|title=Lamborghini incurs major penalties from IMSA after Rolex 24|url=https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2016/02/22/lamborghini-incurs-major-penalties-from-imsa-after-rolex-24/|publisher=NBC Sports|date=February 22, 2016|access-date=January 6, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715230250/http://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2016/02/22/lamborghini-incurs-major-penalties-from-imsa-after-rolex-24/|archive-date=July 15, 2016}}
Championship standings after the race
{{col-begin}}
{{col-4}}
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| +Prototype Drivers' Championship standings
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} ! scope="col" | Driver ! scope="col" | Points |
| align=center| 1
| {{flagicon|USA}} Ed Brown |align=right| 36 |
| align=center| 2
| {{flagicon|ITA}} Max Angelelli |align=right| 33 (−3) |
| align=center| 3
| {{flagicon|GBR}} Ryan Dalziel |align=right| 31 (−5) |
| align=center| 4
| {{flagicon|POR}} Filipe Albuquerque |align=right| 29 (−7) |
| align=center| 5
| {{flagicon|NZL}} Brendon Hartley |align=right| 27 (−9) |
| colspan=4|Source: |
|---|
{{col-4}}
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| +PC Drivers' Championship standings
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} ! scope="col" | Driver ! scope="col" | Points |
| align=center| 1
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Mikhail Goikhberg |align=right| 36 |
| align=center| 2
| {{flagicon|USA}} Robert Alon |align=right| 33 (−3) |
| align=center| 3
| {{flagicon|USA}} Tomy Drissi |align=right| 31 (−5) |
| align=center| 4
| {{flagicon|VEN}} Alex Popow |align=right| 29 (−7) |
| align=center| 5
| {{flagicon|USA}} John Falb |align=right| 27 (−6) |
| colspan=4|Source: |
|---|
{{col-4}}
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| +GTLM Drivers' Championship standings
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} ! scope="col" | Driver ! scope="col" | Points |
| align=center| 1
| {{flagicon|CHE}} Marcel Fässler |align=right| 36 |
| align=center| 2
| {{flagicon|ESP}} Antonio García |align=right| 33 (−3) |
| align=center| 3
| {{flagicon|NZL}} Earl Bamber |align=right| 31 (−5) |
| align=center| 4
| {{flagicon|ITA}} Alessandro Pier Guidi |align=right| 29 (−7) |
| align=center| 5
| {{flagicon|USA}} Bill Auberlen |align=right| 27 (−9) |
| colspan=4|Source: |
|---|
{{col-4}}
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| +GTD Drivers' Championship standings
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} ! scope="col" | Driver ! scope="col" | Points |
| align=center| 1
| {{flagicon|USA}} Andy Lally |align=right| 36 |
| align=center| 2
| {{flagicon|NED}} Nicky Catsburg |align=right| 33 (−3) |
| align=center| 3
| {{flagicon|IRL}} Damien Faulkner |align=right| 31 (−5) |
| align=center| 4
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Paul Dalla Lana |align=right| 29 (−7) |
| align=center| 5
| {{flagicon|FIN}} Jesse Krohn |align=right| 27 (−9) |
| colspan=4|Source: |
|---|
{{col-end}}
- Note: Only the top five positions are included for all sets of standings.
{{col-begin}}
{{col-4}}
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| +Prototype Teams' Championship standings
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} ! scope="col" | Team ! scope="col" | Points |
| align=center| 1
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 2 Extreme Speed Motorsports |align=right| 36 |
| align=center| 2
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing |align=right| 33 (−3) |
| align=center| 3
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 90 VisitFlorida Racing |align=right| 31 (−5) |
| align=center| 4
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 5 Action Express Racing |align=right| 29 (−7) |
| align=center| 5
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 1 Ford Chip Ganassi Racing |align=right| 27 (−9) |
| colspan=4|Source: |
|---|
{{col-4}}
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| +PC Teams' Championship standings
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} ! scope="col" | Team ! scope="col" | Points |
| align=center| 1
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 85 JDC-Miller MotorSports |align=right| 36 |
| align=center| 2
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports |align=right| 33 (−3) |
| align=center| 3
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 20 BAR1 Motorsports |align=right| 31 (−5) |
| align=center| 4
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 8 Starworks Motorsport |align=right| 29 (−7) |
| align=center| 5
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 28 BAR1 Motorsports |align=right| 27 (−9) |
| colspan=4|Source: |
|---|
{{col-4}}
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| +GTLM Teams' Championship standings
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} ! scope="col" | Team ! scope="col" | Points |
| align=center| 1
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 4 Corvette Racing |align=right| 36 |
| align=center| 2
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 3 Corvette Racing |align=right| 33 (−3) |
| align=center| 3
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 912 Porsche North America |align=right| 31 (−5) |
| align=center| 4
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 68 Scuderia Corsa |align=right| 29 (−7) |
| align=center| 5
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 25 BMW Team RLL |align=right| 27 (−9) |
| colspan=4|Source: |
|---|
{{col-4}}
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| +GTD Teams' Championship standings
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} ! scope="col" | Team ! scope="col" | Points |
| align=center| 1
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 44 Magnus Racing |align=right| 36 |
| align=center| 2
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 540 Black Swan Racing |align=right| 33 (−3) |
| align=center| 3
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 93 Riley Motorsports |align=right| 31 (−5) |
| align=center| 4
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 98 Aston Martin Racing |align=right| 29 (−7) |
| align=center| 5
| {{flagicon|USA}} No. 97 Turner Motorsport |align=right| 27 (−9) |
| colspan=4|Source: |
|---|
{{col-end}}
- Note: Only the top five positions are included for all sets of standings.
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| +Prototype Manufacturers' Championship standings
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} ! scope="col" | Manufacturer ! scope="col" | Points |
| align=center| 1
| {{flagicon|JPN}} Honda |align=right| 35 |
| align=center| 2
| {{flagicon|USA}} Chevrolet |align=right| 32 (−3) |
| align=center| 3
| {{flagicon|USA}} Ford |align=right| 30 (−5) |
| align=center| 4
| {{flagicon|DEU}} BMW |align=right| 28 (−7) |
| align=center| 5
| {{flagicon|JPN}} Mazda |align=right| 26 (−9) |
| colspan=4|Source: |
|---|
{{col-3}}
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| +GTLM Manufacturers' Championship standings
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} ! scope="col" | Manufacturer ! scope="col" | Points |
| align=center| 1
| {{flagicon|USA}} Chevrolet |align=right| 35 |
| align=center| 2
| {{flagicon|DEU}} Porsche |align=right| 32 (−3) |
| align=center| 3
| {{flagicon|ITA}} Ferrari |align=right| 30 (−5) |
| align=center| 4
| {{flagicon|DEU}} BMW |align=right| 28 (−8) |
| align=center| 5
| {{flagicon|USA}} Ford |align=right| 26 (−9) |
| colspan=4|Source: |
|---|
{{col-3}}
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| +GTD Manufacturers' Championship standings
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} ! scope="col" | Manufacturer ! scope="col" | Points |
| align=center| 1
| {{flagicon|DEU}} Audi |align=right| 35 |
| align=center| 2
| {{flagicon|DEU}} Porsche |align=right| 32 (−3) |
| align=center| 3
| {{flagicon|USA}} Dodge |align=right| 30 (−5) |
| align=center| 4
| {{flagicon|GBR}} Aston Martin |align=right| 28 (−7) |
| align=center| 5
| {{flagicon|DEU}} BMW |align=right| 26 (−9) |
| colspan=4|Source: |
|---|
{{col-end}}
- Note: Only the top five positions are included for all sets of standings.
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Sportscar Race Report
| Year_of_race = 2016
| Sportscar_Series = IMSA SportsCar Championship
| Previous_race_in_season = none
| Next_race_in_season = 12 Hours of Sebring
}}{{United SportsCar Championship Rounds}}
{{24 Hours of Daytona}}