How BMW's Daytona disappointment created a lopsided Porsche win battle

What happens after the final caution usually determines the Daytona 24 Hours, and this year's event was no different. When BMW's expected challenge faltered, Porsche Penske Motorsport was ready to pick up the pieces - but an earlier decision had significant consequences on the order of its two 963 LMDhs

An hour and a half into the race, Porsche Penske Motorsport boss Jonathan Diuguid looked to his colleagues on the pit stand and sighed. “This is going to be a long 24 hours,” he reckoned. It didn’t look good for a manufacturer bidding for its 20th overall victory at the Daytona 24 Hours.

Yet come Sunday afternoon it was celebrating that mark and a second consecutive win for the Porsche 963 LMDh in the opening round of the IMSA SportsCar Championship.

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Gary Watkins

IMSA

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Author Gary Watkins

Gary Watkins has, for reasons best known to himself, devoted all his working life to covering sportscar racing. This season is his 32nd as a motorsport journalist, during which time he has reported on major long-distance events on four continents and approaching 75 24-hour races. He reckons a degree in political philosophy makes him well qualified for covering the sometimes Machiavellian world of international sportscars.

Gary, who also writes for Autoweek, Motor Sport, Autocourse, RACER and others, lives in Surbiton but spends more time on the road than at home for most of the year.