Strong Debut for Kaylen Frederick at the Rolex 24 at Daytona!!
46 Laps led. 6-1/2 hours under full course yellow. 70 seconds from the win at Daytona.
Kaylen Frederick, Nico Pino, and Tijmen van der Helm, delivered a composed, competitive run for the No. 85 Porsche 963 and JDC Miller Motorsports. Debris damage to the car’s floor limited a late race charge, resulting in a hard fought seventh-place finish on the lead lap at the Rolex 24.
Not your average workday. This is endurance racing.
Strong Pace and Execution in Rolex 24 Debut!!!
Kaylen Frederick completed the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the GTP class, opening the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season in the No. 83 Porsche 963 for JDC-Miller MotorSports. It was his first time racing a 24-hour event and his first appearance in GTP machinery, but the focus all weekend was simple: be quick, stay clean, and put the car in position.
Across practice, qualifying, and race stints, the pace was there. The execution was largely solid. The result reflected both.
Qualifying | January 23/Thursday
Qualifying showed what the No. 83 Porsche 963 was capable of. Teammate Nico Pino was on a lap good enough for the top four — possibly better — before traffic disrupted the run.
On a second push lap, more traffic in the braking zone into Turn 6 cost additional time, but the effort still secured seventh on the grid in a tightly packed GTP field. It wasn’t a perfect session, but it confirmed the car had the speed to run near the front.
The Green Flag Drops: Early Pace and Race Execution
The race opened cleanly, with the car holding position inside the top ten. Frederick climbed in early for a planned double stint, rejoining in 11th.
Over the next run, he worked forward methodically, reaching fourth while managing tires, fuel targets, and constant multi-class traffic. The stint was measured and efficient — no drama, no mistakes — and kept the car in contention during the opening phase.
Adversity and Adaptation
Debris from another incident damaged the car’s floor during the race. The Porsche 963 remained competitive, but the aerodynamic loss was noticeable and reduced overall performance.
The JDC-Miller crew did what they could during pit stops, but in a GTP field this close, small deficits matter. From that point, the objective shifted from pushing forward to consolidating track position and avoiding further issues. The team focused on staying on sequence and minimizing risk.
Endurance Conditions and Final Result
Overnight fog brought an extended full-course yellow lasting more than six hours, compressing the field and turning the final stages into a strategic sprint.
Frederick returned for a late stint on fresh tires, delivering steady, mistake-free laps before handing the car back in good condition. In a race where execution often determines outcome, the No. 83 Porsche ran clean to the flag.
The team finished seventh in GTP, on the lead lap — 70 seconds from the winer after 24 hours of racing.
Building Momentum
The weekend provided clear reference points. The pace to run near the front was evident. Damage and circumstance limited the outcome, but the performance level was established.
Next up is testing at Sebring on February 18th & 19th, and preparation for the Twelve Hours of Sebring. The foundation is there; refinement comes next.
Refelcting on the Weekend (Kaylen):
“I absolutely loved the event, and I’m really pleased to have my first Daytona 24 Hours under my belt. There was more potential at the weekend than the result shows, and we will dial it in for the races ahead. The team did an amazing job, and the Porsche 963 is a dream to drive, and I learned a huge amount from the experience. I’m really looking forward to the Sebring test and the Twelve Hours of Sebring race coming up soon.”
Race Summary
Event: IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – Round 1
Race: Rolex 24 at Daytona
Car: No. 83 Porsche 963 – JDC-Miller MotorSports
Qualifying: P7 – GTP
Race Result: P7 – GTP (Lead Lap, 70 seconds from the winner)
Next Up: Sebring 12 Hours
Please watch these pages for updates around the mid-February test and the Sebring 12 Hours in March 18-21!
About Kaylen Frederick
For more information visit:
https://KaylenFrederick.com/
About Pilot ONE Racing
Pilot ONE Racing supports and assists young race drivers in developing professional driving careers, seeking funding, and reaching the highest level of motorsports in both the USA and Europe.
Interested in working with Kaylen?
https://kaylenfrederick.com/sponsorships-partnerships/
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