The Rolex 24 at Daytona stands as a premier event in endurance racing, drawing a global array of competitors, including an impressive roster of NASCAR drivers. In 2026, NASCAR drivers Connor Zilisch and AJ Allmendinger will return to Daytona International Speedway, aiming to add another chapter to NASCAR’s storied legacy at the 24-hour race and spotlighting the enduring connection between NASCAR and this prestigious sports car event.
The Rolex 24: NASCAR’s Enduring Impact at Daytona
Renowned as one of endurance racing’s “crown jewel” events, the Rolex 24 at Daytona has regularly attracted top racing talent from many disciplines. From its early days, stock car standouts have ventured into this grueling event—the crossover began as early as 1966 when Bobby Allison piloted a Chevrolet Corvair. Allison never captured a Rolex 24 victory, but his frequent starts established a precedent for NASCAR drivers challenging Daytona’s road course before or during their Cup Series careers.
Other NASCAR legends also took on the endurance classic, notably Benny Parsons, who claimed a 10th-place finish in a BMW 3.5 CSL with David Hobbs in 1976, and David Pearson, who competed with his brother Larry Pearson in a Ford Torino that same year. Their participation, along with Allison’s, signaled a growing NASCAR influence on the event through the 1970s and beyond.
Surge in NASCAR Driver Participation Through the Decades
The 1980s witnessed a surge of Cup Series drivers tackling the Rolex 24. Terry Labonte teamed up with Larry Pearson for his first of seven entries in 1981, clinching his only class win in 1984 while simultaneously embarking on a championship Cup run. Sterling Marlin, Darrell Waltrip, and the legendary AJ Foyt also made starts during this era, with varying degrees of success. Teaming up in 1987, Labonte and Waltrip attempted the race in a Chevrolet Camaro, though both failed to finish that year.
Bill Elliott, by contrast, secured a class win for Roush Racing in 1987, representing a rare NASCAR triumph. The previous year, Elliott led a formidable, all-NASCAR lineup that included Ricky Rudd, Kyle Petty, and Ken Schrader, albeit without finishing the race. Rudd returned in 1987 to claim a strong fifth-in-class finish, while Mark Martin entered the scene from 1988 through 1995. Partnered with owner Jack Roush, Martin tallied three class wins, notably prevailing in 1991 with Robby Gordon and Wally Dallenbach Jr., both future NASCAR notables.
Milestone Appearances and Emotional Moments in the 2000s
The new millennium rekindled NASCAR’s presence at Daytona’s most demanding race. In 2001, one of the most poignant moments unfolded as Dale Earnhardt, partnering with Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a Corvette, made his only Rolex 24 start just two weeks before his tragic passing in the Daytona 500. Together, they finished fourth overall and second in class—forever marking an emotional intersection of NASCAR and endurance racing history.
Tony Stewart began a series of five Rolex 24 starts in 2002, echoing the competitive spirit seen in Kevin Harvick’s sole entry that same year—both failed to finish. Stewart’s most notable effort came in 2004, joining Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a Crawford Daytona Prototype. Their run ended with a suspension failure in the final hour, relegating them to fifth overall. Stewart’s last Rolex 24 attempt in 2005 netted his best class finish—third place.
Championship Pedigree and Persistent Efforts
Paul Menard, still ascending NASCAR’s ranks, debuted in 2003 and recorded a best class finish of 15th in 2010. Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time Cup champion, holds the record for most Rolex 24 starts among Cup champions, with seven attempts beginning in 2004; his personal best was second overall, achieved three times (2005, 2008, 2021). Ganassi Racing’s drivers also made a significant impact—Casey Mears and Jamie McMurray both achieved overall wins, with McMurray racing the event eight times between 2005 and 2016. Rusty Wallace made a solitary start in 2006 with Danica Patrick, but the duo did not reach the finish.
Juan Pablo Montoya, more widely recognized outside the US for open-wheel racing achievements, carved out a remarkable record among Cup Series winners—claiming three overall Rolex 24 victories, including his debut triumph in 2007. Jeff Gordon joined Wayne Taylor Racing in 2007, finishing third overall, then returned in 2017 to win, thus joining AJ Foyt, Mario Andretti, and McMurray as only the fourth driver to win both the Daytona 500 and Rolex 24.
Recent Races, Rising Stars, and the 2026 Outlook
The 2010s saw fewer NASCAR participations, but several high-profile entries stood out. Kurt Busch secured a third-place finish in his lone Rolex 24 attempt in 2008 with Penske-Taylor Racing. In 2014, Kyle Larson, then an emerging talent, began his Rolex 24 journey with Ganassi, and in only his second appearance in 2015, joined teammate Jamie McMurray at the top of the podium with an overall victory. Austin Cindric’s endurance racing background brought him to the Rolex 24 six times since 2017, highlighted by a podium finish in the GT3 class with a Ford Mustang in 2025.
Kyle Busch made his mark in 2020, finishing ninth in class in his solo start with a Lexus GT3. The following year, Austin Dillon teamed with Cody Ware for Rick Ware Racing and placed 10th overall in LMP2, while Chase Elliott, running in the premier DPi class with Action Express Racing, secured eighth overall—testaments to NASCAR’s depth of driving talent.
Shane van Gisbergen, 2025 Cup Series Rookie of the Year, already boasts six Rolex 24 starts since 2014, with a class podium earned in 2015. He ran alongside Connor Zilisch in 2025 but will not return in 2026. Zilisch, in his third Rolex 24 start, sets his sights on a second class victory and his first overall win, joining Action Express in the GTP class. Meanwhile, AJ Allmendinger, an overall winner in 2012 with Meyer-Shank Racing, comes back for his 16th attempt and first race since 2021, once again with Meyer-Shank Racing.
NASCAR’s Enduring Legacy and the Path Ahead
NASCAR’s history at the Rolex 24 at Daytona is marked by deep tradition, emotional highs and lows, and a constant drive for excellence. Legendary names such as Bobby Allison, Benny Parsons, Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson have all shaped the narrative of “NASCAR Drivers in Rolex 24,” inspiring new generations like Connor Zilisch and Austin Cindric to pursue Daytona glory in both stock cars and sports cars. As the 2026 event approaches, the anticipation is palpable—NASCAR talent continues to chase endurance racing’s highest honors, forging new memories at Daytona and reinforcing the event’s enduring significance in motorsports culture.
