March 29, 2024

Speed King Rolex 24 At Daytona 2015 1

Chip Ganassi Racing #02 drivers Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Kyle Larson and Jamie McMurray receiving their Rolex timepieces. Photo by Tom O Neal

We have previously documented our love for the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, perhaps all too extensively, but you will allow us to indulge here given that the Rolex 24 at Daytona 2015 has just concluded. Briefly, the Chip Ganassi Racing team beat a storied field of 53 cars for its sixth triumph at the 53rd Rolex 24 At Daytona, held over the weekend of 24-25 January in Florida’s Daytona Beach. Interestingly for us, the last time we covered the race in 2013, the same team won, but rest assured there are no links whatsoever between Luxury-Insider and any of the racing teams at Daytona (ownership of Rolex watches notwithstanding). It is in fact likely we covered that race because it was the 50th anniversary of the Daytona watch itself. This year, what we found fascinating is that the lead actually changed times some 59 times, with five such changes happening in the final hour of the 24-hour endurance race. That of course means that there were more lead changes than cars in the race, which is just brilliant. The final margin of victory for car #02 driven by cott Dixon (New Zealand), Tony Kanaan (Brazil) and American’s Kyle Larson and Jamie McMurray was slim, merely 1.334 seconds, but anything more than 1 second in racing must seem like a lifetime.

Speed King Rolex 24 At Daytona 2015 Brake discs go red as the drivers go hard on the brakes at the infield section. Photo by Stephan Cooper

Speed King Rolex 24 At Daytona 2015 3

Chip Ganassi Racing #02 crossing the finish line for the win. Photo by Stephan Cooper

Speed King Rolex 24 At Daytona 2015 4

In the thick of the action with Chip Ganassi Racing. Photo by Stephan Cooper

Speed King Rolex 24 At Daytona 2015 5

Corvette C7.R #3 and #04 head to head in the battle for the GTLM leadership. Photo by Tom O Neal

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Specially engraved Rolex Cosmograph Daytona and 2015 Champion’S Trophy. Photo by Stephan Cooper

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Winners in all four categories and overall winner car at Victory Lane, Photo by Stephan Cooper

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