Daytona's 2026 Rolex 24 sets record with 120-lap fog delay under safety car
The 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona made history with its longest full-course yellow period ever recorded. Thick fog forced officials to keep cars circulating behind the safety car for 120 laps. Drivers and teams faced an unusual challenge as the race stretched far beyond its usual rhythm.
The fog descended so heavily that visibility dropped to near-zero levels. Race organisers chose not to red-flag the event, despite calls from some teams and drivers to pause proceedings. Instead, the field crawled behind the safety car for nearly four hours, frustrating competitors and crews alike.
Kyffin Simpson, driving for Tower Motorsports, spent 3 hours and 56 minutes under yellow in his LMP2 prototype. He later admitted the experience felt endless, questioning whether the race would ever restart. His team carefully monitored his driving time to avoid exceeding regulations, which could have led to disqualification.
Connor Zilisch, the 19-year-old behind the wheel of the #31 Action Express Racing Cadillac, described the period as 'mind-numbing' and 'absolutely boring'. The lack of racing action left many drivers struggling to stay focused. Meanwhile, Winward Racing's team principal, Christian Hohenadel, argued that a red flag would have been preferable, calling the extended safety car phase mentally draining for his crew.
Not all teams were idle, however. The Porsche factory squad used the downtime to make repeated pit stops, carrying out repairs and adjustments. This kept their drivers and mechanics busy while others waited in frustration.
Eventually, the race resumed at 7:18 a.m., two hours earlier than initially expected. The decision to keep the event running under yellow, rather than stopping it entirely, sparked debate among competitors and observers.
The record-breaking safety car period tested the patience and endurance of everyone involved. While some teams found ways to stay productive, others criticised the organisers' choice not to halt the race. The incident will likely influence future discussions about handling extreme weather in motorsport.
