By Nate Ryan For NASCAR.com
It’s known as “The World Center of Racing” year-round, but it’s the last two weeks of January when Daytona International Speedway annually embodies its moniker of cosmopolitan might.
In the dead of winter, the track’s garage comes alive and crackles with the alluring electricity of delightful accents and exotic machinery. Renowned drivers representing nearly every continent take turns wedging themselves into highly sophisticated cars that they share by trading stints during the 24-hour race. More than a dozen high-profile automakers jam the track’s famous 31-degree banking with luxurious marques known around the globe.
The prestige of the Rolex 24 at Daytona is rooted in its 63-year history as a mecca of motorsports, and that reputation will be reaffirmed on the 12-turn, 3.56-mile road course in 2025. The 61-car field will include winners at the world’s most iconic tracks — Daytona, Indianapolis, Le Mans, Spa and Bathurst, to name only a few.
The “International Race of Champions” brand was claimed long ago, but its spirit applies to the sports car extravaganza in Central Florida as much as any racing event in the world.
Stars from NASCAR, Formula One, IndyCar, Formula E and the World Endurance Championship will race around the clock for an event akin to the Olympics in both its breathtaking scope and competitive vigor.
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