The racing world is buzzing with excitement as the final lineup for the Rolex 24 at Daytona takes shape, but one notable absence has left fans scratching their heads. Team Tonis, a Chicago-based squad, has unexpectedly withdrawn its LMP2 entry, leaving the grid at a solid 60 cars for this month’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship kickoff. But here’s where it gets intriguing: despite securing a full-season entry from IMSA, the team won’t be hitting the track in Florida. Why the sudden change? And what does this mean for their 2026 campaign? Let’s dive in.
Confirmed in the latest entry list (https://www.imsa.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2026/01/07/01072026IWSCRoarPreEventEntryList.pdf) for the Roar Before the Rolex 24, Team Tonis’ No. 61 Oreca 07 Gibson—which debuted last August at Road America with team owner/driver Tonis Kasemets and Matthew Brabham—is officially out. Interestingly, the team posted LMP2-specific job listings on Facebook just days ago, hinting that their program might still rev up later this year. Could this be a strategic pause, or is there more to the story? And this is the part most people miss: the 61st grid slot remains empty because no reserve entrants could step in on such short notice.
Meanwhile, the finalized entry list arrives alongside some big announcements. DXDT Racing unveiled its GTD class Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R lineup (https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/mclaughlin-headlines-dxdt-corvette-lineup-for-daytona/), while Ayhancan Guven joined Manthey Racing’s GTD Pro Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo (https://sportascar365.com/imsa/iwsc/dtm-champion-guven-joins-manthey-gtd-pro-lineup-for-daytona/). Jacob Abel also confirmed his spot with Era Motorsport for the Michelin Endurance Cup rounds (https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/abel-joins-era-for-endurance-cup-rounds/). Yet, several teams still have unconfirmed driver slots, including Van der Steur Racing’s No. 19 Aston Martin and RLL Team McLaren’s fourth pilot for their McLaren 720S GT3 EVO.
Here’s where it gets controversial: Porsche-contracted driver Sven Mueller, slated for RS1’s No. 28 Porsche, is one of six drivers set to miss the Roar due to the Michelin 24H Dubai clash. Is this a scheduling oversight, or a strategic gamble? And why is James Roe still listed in Era Motorsport’s No. 18 Oreca, a seat now occupied by Abel? These inconsistencies raise questions about coordination and transparency in the paddock.
The three-day test kicks off on January 16 with seven sessions, though—as usual—no qualifying for the Rolex 24. As the grid locks in, one thing’s clear: this season opener is shaping up to be a thrilling mix of surprises, strategy, and speed. But what do you think? Is Team Tonis’ withdrawal a red flag, or a calculated move? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
