Rising IndyCar star confirms Daytona 24 Hours return in 2026 for second Rolex victory

Rising IndyCar star Christian Rasmussen has confirmed that he will return to compete in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2026. The Ed Carpenter Racing driver has participated in the season-opening IMSA race three times in the LMP2 class and took a class victory on his second attempt with Era Motorsport.

Two years before his IndyCar debut in 2024, Rasmussen made his IMSA debut in 2022 with Era Motorsport in the season-ending Petit Le Mans. His schedule was strengthened in 2023, with four IMSA races on his calendar. Christian Rasmussen scored his first IMSA podium at that year's Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring and improved his best result with a P2 at Watkins Glen.

It was in 2024 that the Danish driver bagged his biggest endurance victory, finishing first in the LMP2 class at the Rolex 24 at Daytona alongside teammates Connor Zilisch, Dwight Merriman, and Ryan Dalziel. In a recent interview with James Coker on IndyCar's YouTube channel, the 25-year-old teased his return to the 2026 edition of the race.

"Yeah, I can tell that I will be back for Daytona," Rasmussen said. "I can't just yet quite tell who it will be with, but I'll be back at Daytona for 2026."

Christian Rasmussen left Era Motorsport for AO Racing in 2025 and finished fifth in the LMP2 class at Daytona this year. On the IndyCar front, he had an impressive sophomore year with Ed Carpenter Racing.

Rasmussen emerged as a force to be reckoned with on ovals. He earned his first career podium at the World Wide Technology Raceway (formerly Gateway) in St. Louis and his first career victory at the Milwaukee Mile. His victory at Milwaukee was special because, in the closing stages of the race, he had to overtake and beat Alex Palou, who was having a dominant career-best season.

Multiple IndyCar drivers eyeing return to the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Test at Daytona - Source: Getty

Multiple IndyCar drivers are eyeing seats for the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona. 10 drivers from the premier American open-wheel racing series participated in a three-day IMSA-sanctioned test at the Daytona International Speedway from November 13 to 15.

The names are as follows:

1. Josef Newgarden - Porsche Penske Motorsport
2. Scott McLaughlin - Porsche Penske Motorsport
3. Will Power - 75 Express
4. Alex Palou - Meyer Shank Racing
5. Scott Dixon - Meyer Shank Racing
6. Colton Herta - Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing
7. Kyle Kirkwood - Vasser Sullivan Racing
8. Nolan Siegel - Inter Europol
9. Louis Foster - Tower Motorsports
10. Callum Ilott - Wright Motorsports

The drivers who are confirmed to race at the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona from this list are Alex Palou, Colton Herta, and Scott Dixon. After the November test, Newgarden and McLaughlin said that they would "love" to race for Porsche Penske.

There are question marks about the participation of the other aforementioned drivers, which should be answered when IMSA releases the entry list for the race. It is expected to come out in early December.