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The Clock Is Ticking: Drivers Share Their Thoughts Heading Into The Rolex 24

Originally posted on FanNation Auto Racing Digest
By Dylan Spaulding | Last updated 1/27/24

The Rolex 24 at Daytona is finally here and the chance for immortality for four class winners and an overall winner is in the grasp for 59 of the best drivers and teams in the world.

Many drivers know what it takes to win this event, while others are looking to seize the opportunity for a chance at a watch, but all the drivers had comments to say about the twice-around-the-clock event.

Jordan Taylor & Ricky Taylor

The Taylors are no stranger to finding success at this famed 3.56 mile circuit.

A team that has four Rolex 24 victories, including three straight spanning from 2019-2021, both Jordan and Ricky bring the pedigree and culture that the team may need to get its fifth Rolex 24 victory.

“Yeah, it's really exciting,” says Ricky Taylor. “Daytona is always such a special weekend because you see all the new cars, all the new teams, all the new deliveries, new drivers. Everybody's looking clean and there's a lot of optimism about the season.”

One person who has a lot of optimism is Ricky’s brother Jordan, who returns to Wayne Taylor Racing after four seasons at Corvette Racing, looking forward to the opportunity to rekindle old relationships with his father’s team.

“It’s been nice to be back,” says Jordan. “Most of the core group of guys that were there from 2013 to 2019 when I was there are still on the team, so it was nice to see a lot of familiar faces, but with joining Andretti, you know there's a lot of new faces, a lot of new people that we have to meet, especially with the second car. So yeah, learning a lot of new names, getting to know a lot of new people, and then on top of that is understanding how to drive this new race car. It's been a big challenge. The offseason kind of flew by. We did a little test at Sebring and a test at Daytona. I think everyone in our car especially is looking forward to getting some more comfortable.”

For Jordan, mentioning about the new experience, it has been a reawakening for him getting back to the top class.

With the car being a fresh, complex machine in the GTP class, it has given “Rodney Sandstorm” a new perspective.

“The GTP class is definitely complex, “says Jordan. “I think when I was outside and in the GTD, I don't think you get an understanding of how complex it really is inside the team and so many meetings to kind of understand the systems and the updates of what the team's doing to make the car a little bit more efficient, so understanding the team side was one thing and then understanding the steering wheel and the adjustability and what each little thing can do, you know, not just from a technical point of view from the drivers perspective where I'm struggling with this thing, I need to turn this knob or this knob. So, it's been complicated but you know, I've done a lot of studying in the last couple of months of the steering wheel guides.”

Nevertheless, the goal is still the same for the Taylors and that is to win a watch at Daytona once more, but they will have to do in a team battle with the now two car tandem the team is fielding.

Felix Rosenqvist

There's no denying that Rosenqvist is ready for the upcoming season.

The now Meyer Shank Racing IndyCar driver is looking forward to being back into the car for the first time since 2018, were he ran for Jackie Chan DC Racing.

“Super, super excited,” said Rosenqvist. “Honestly, it's something I really wanted to do for a long time and haven't really been able to find the right opportunity since I came to IndyCar. I mean, the IndyCar season is very hectic, so it's kind of hard to pair it up with something else, but it's something I tried to do and finally it came together.”

For Rosenqvist, who will be teaming up with United for this weekend’s race has all the makings of a potential great weekend, starting on pole with the team in their first IMSA start back, but looking ahead, he is ready to take on the challenge with his new team.

“I think getting off the ground, you know, running smoothly,” says Felix. “We had a tough season last year. We weren't really where we wanted to be. So, I think the important thing is kind of gained the confidence back a little bit. Kind of finding our direction on the car. You know, see. How we work between each other. We still haven't done a lap. So, on Monday I'll be in the car, which is very exciting so. Yeah, I think to start we just kind of you know, getting back up, running properly again and I'm sure we'll have opportunities at some tracks to do really well. But I think our expectations are realistic at this point. You just kind of want to get back into the top 10s and solid results.

Jenson Button

The 2009 Formula 1 World Champion returns back to IMSA, but this time in a different look, transitioning over to Wayne Taylor Racing for the only race on his calendar this season in IMSA.

The JOTA Porsche WEC driver now comes back to look for greater success, searching for his first Rolex 24 crown in try number one.

“Amazing,” said Button happily. “It's already been a busy year of testing, which has been good, so, just getting to grips with the LMDh powers. You know the to be fair, in terms of, they all do the same thing/ And they all have the same systems, but they just work in a very different way. And you know, it's learning those systems, so yes, I'm enjoying it. I'm enjoying the process, you know.

A race car is a race car, but it's all the systems you need to learn, which takes the time. But no, what a great place to start the season here at Daytona with Wayne Taylor Racing and having two cars this year of drivers from all different categories and backgrounds with so many championships under one roof that have been won, it's pretty cool. I know Jordan very well because he was our sort of fourth driver for Le Mans. It’s nice to be team teammates with him and this is a race I've wanted for years and I've been talking to Wayne for years but just hasn't come off for one reason or another. But finally, we've made it happen and I can't wait to get out and track it.”

For Button this may not be his first rodeo behind the wheel of a prototype, competing with JDC-Miller last season at Petit Le Mans, but he is ready to hopefully bring Wayne Taylor Racing its first GTP win.

“I mean, having two cars in a team doesn't just suddenly give you twice the chances of victory. Yeah, it's a little bit more difficult than that. I mean, there's a lot that needs to come together and growing a team is never easy. They had such a good thing going last year, but I think they have the right people within the team, they have the right drivers that will work together to help the team grow. And yeah, I think we'll 100% be ready for the. Race, you know. I think the rule will be interesting for us to get more. Experience of where the cars are at and make sure that we're all up to speed nicely and understand what the aim is.”

Other Interview Quotes

While these are just some of the drivers that are ready for the Rolex 24, many others had thoughts to say as well for the weekend.

Some interesting comments came from Ryan Dalziel, Le Mans winner, who discussed about his work with ERA and the potential of the team running two cars, while PJ Hyett, owner of AO Racing, talked about the future potential expansion of the team.

Obviously, they aren’t Rolex 24 related news but those were some of the notable news piece to talk about coming out of media.

One thing no matter what is that all these drivers have one thing in common and that is that they are ready for the challenge of a chance to win a Rolex by the end of the weekend.

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Here are audio interviews with several drivers who are competing in this weekend's Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona:

Josef Newgarden

James Hinchcliffe

Robert Wickens

Jordan and Ricky Taylor