IMSA penalizes Cadillac #31 for skid block irregularity

The #31 Cadillac V-Series.R of Action Express Racing was penalized hours after qualifying first for the 2026 24 Hours of Daytona. A post-qualifying inspection detected an irregularity in the car's rear skid block, which had set a time of 1:33.939 with Jack Aitken.

IMSA determined that "the wear area of the rear skid block was beyond the permitted tolerance." The #31 Cadillac will start last in the GTP class on Saturday, although it retains its right to participate in the race.

The pole position now goes to the #93 Acura ARX-06 of Meyer Shank Racing. Renger van der Zande, who had placed second by 0.102 seconds during the qualifying session, will now start from the first position. Van der Zande shares the Acura with Nick Yelloly, Alex Palou, and Kaku Ohta.

Photo By IMSA

Revised top 3 configuration

The #40 Cadillac of Wayne Taylor Racing with Louis Deletraz, Jordan Taylor, and Colton Herta moves up to second position. The #7 Porsche 963 of Penske Motorsport with Felipe Nasr, Julien Andlauer, and Laurin Heinrich will start third.

The Penske Porsches, the defending champions of this race, improve their starting positions. The #7 moves up from fourth to third, and the #6 moves from fifth to fourth on the revised grid.

Explanation of the infraction

The skid block is a mandatory plate on the bottom of the car that prevents teams from lowering the ride height too much to gain an aerodynamic advantage. IMSA regulations establish specific tolerances regarding the permitted wear on this part at the end of a session.

The penalty does not disqualify the #31 from the entire event. Action Express Racing can participate normally in the 24-hour race, but loses all positions gained in qualifying within the GTP class. The team of Earl Bamber, Frederik Vesti, and Connor Zilisch will have to fight their way up from the last place in their class.