Jack Aitken Snatches Pole Position for 2026 Daytona 24 Hours in Cadillac
Jack Aitken secured pole for the #31 Cadillac in GTP qualifying for the 2026 Daytona 24 Hours, edging out the Acura MSR entry. Inter Europol took LMP2 pole, while Corvette and Aston Martin topped the GT classes.
Jack Aitken secured pole position for the #31 Cadillac Whelan outfit in the GTP class for the 2026 Daytona 24 Hours, setting a blistering pace that edged out the competition. The former F1 driver posted a 1m 33.939s lap to snatch the top spot by a mere 0.102s over the #93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing entry. Meanwhile, the GT categories showcased incredibly tight competition, with the GTD pole time nearly matching the pace of the Pro class.
Why it matters:
Starting at the front of the grid at Daytona is a massive advantage for the grueling 24-hour endurance race, dictating early track position and strategy. Aitken's pole position signals Cadillac's intent to challenge for the overall victory, while the razor-thin margins in GT suggest that reliability and driver consistency will be the deciding factors in what promises to be a tightly contested event.
The details:
- GTP Dominance: The #31 Cadillac Whelan, shared by Aitken, Earl Bamber, Frederik Vesti, and Christian Zilisch, set the benchmark. The #93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing squad settled for second, while Porsche and BMW cars failed to threaten the top two.
- LMP2: The #43 Inter Europol Competition team claimed class pole, ensuring a front-row lockout alongside the #99 AO Racing entry.
- GTD Pro: Alexander Sims put the #3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports on pole, finishing ahead of the #1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3 Evo.
- GTD Close Call: The #37 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo secured the GTD pole with a 1m 45.113s lap—a time just 0.006s slower than the fastest car in GTD Pro, highlighting the depth of talent in the class.
What's next:
With the grid set, teams now turn their focus to the green flag and the critical opening stint. The 24-hour format demands flawless execution, and the close qualifying times indicate that small mistakes in the pits or on track could easily cost positions. All eyes will be on how the Cadillacs and Acuras manage their pace over the long run.