Cadillac Disqualified from Daytona 24 Pole, Acura Inherits Top Spot

The #31 Cadillac Whelen Racing squad has been stripped of pole position for the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona after failing post-qualifying technical inspections. Former F1 driver Jack Aitken's impressive lap was disqualified, moving the entry to the back of the GTP grid and promoting the #93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing car to the front of the field.

Why it matters:

Losing the top starting spot is a major strategic setback for the #31 team, forcing them to navigate through traffic in a race where track position often dictates the early pace. The penalty significantly alters the dynamic for the GTP frontrunners, handing Acura a prime opportunity to control the race from the green flag while shaking up the competitive order just hours before the start.

The details:

• New GTP Order: The #93 Acura MSR, shared by Renger van der Zande, Nick Yelloly, Alex Palou, and Kyffin Simpson, inherits pole position. The #40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing entry moves up to second place.
• Porsche's Chase: The #7 Porsche Penske Motorsport team, aiming for a third consecutive Rolex 24 victory, will start fourth.
• Aston Martin's Debut: On its top-class debut, the #10 Aston Martin THOR Team will start last in the GTP class.
• LMP2 Front Row: The #43 Inter Europol Competition ORECA takes class pole and 12th overall, with the #99 AO Racing car joining them on the front row.
• GT Classes: In GTD Pro, Alexander Sims put the #3 Corvette on pole. In GTD, the #27 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin claimed class pole, while the #16 Meyer Shank Racing Acura—featuring former F1 driver Romain Grosjean—will start last on the overall grid.

What's next:

The green flag drops Saturday afternoon at 13:40 EST (18:40 GMT). With the grid settled, teams will finalize their strategies for the endurance challenge ahead, focusing on consistency and reliability over the 24-hour marathon.