NASCAR Cup Series

IMSA: Roar Before the Rolex 24 kicks off at Daytona

Published Jan. 8, 2016 11:01 a.m. ET

Chase Wilhelm

Thursday kicked off the first day the Roar Before the Rolex 24 â a three-day test session at Daytona International Speedway for drivers and team in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

From Jan. 8-10, cars will be on the 3.56-mile road course in preparation for the Rolex 24.

Chip Ganassi Racing is looking to defend their 2015 Rolex 24 overall victory, as they will field two Prototype class entries in 2016. The No. 01 Ford EcoBoost Prototype will be driven by reigning Verizon IndyCar Series Champion Scott Dixon, IndyCar driver Tony Kanaan and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Kyle Larson and Jamie McMurray.

Gettin ready for the @Rolex24Hours pic.twitter.com/3H72JuV9co
— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) January 8, 2016

In a second Prototype entry for CGR, the No. 02 car will be piloted by former Formula One driver Alex Wurz, FIA World Endurace Championship LMP1 Champion Brendon Hartley, FIA WEC Ford Performance driver Andy Priaulx and FIA European Formula 3 Championship driver Lance Stroll.

#Roar24 Testing commenced for @CGRTeams @FordPerformance - track almost dry pic.twitter.com/PK6r6uGFfp
— Mike Hull (@IndyMHull) January 8, 2016

Scott Pruett, in his first year with Action Express Racing, has joined their No. 5 Corvette DP Prototype effort along with drivers Christian Fittipaldi, Joao Barbosa and Filipe Albuquerque.

IndyCar driver Ryan Hunter-Reay will also be behind the wheel of the No. 90 Corvette DP Prototype for VisitFlorida Racing, along with drivers Ryan Dalziel and Marc Goosens.

The Rolex 24 at Daytona will be held on Jan. 30, with live coverage of the event beginning at 2 p.m. on FS1.

Click here for Roar Before the Rolex 24 live timing and scoring

Click here for the full Roar Before the Rolex 24 entry list