In a thrilling qualifying session at Daytona International Speedway, Pipo Derani showcased his exceptional skills behind the wheel of the No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac V-Series. R. With a blistering lap time of just 1:32.656, Derani shattered the previous lap record and secured pole position for the highly anticipated Rolex 24 endurance race, set to begin on Saturday at 1:30 pm ET.

Derani's remarkable performance not only outpaced competitors from Acura, BMW, and Porsche, but it also demonstrated the immense potential of the GTP field. Despite the record-breaking lap, it is worth noting that all nine GTP cars clocked faster lap times than the previous record set in 2019 by Oliver Jarvis in a Mazda prototype.

The battle for victory at the Rolex 24 is expected to be intense, with two teams fielding the Le Mans-tested Cadillacs. Action Express Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of success. Derani, joined by partners Jack Aitken and Tom Blomqvist, will pilot the No. 31 Cadillac, while Ganassi has assembled an all-star lineup of drivers for the No. 01 Cadillac, including Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, Sebastien Bourdais, and Renger van der Zande. The sheer strength of Ganassi's driver squad alone is undoubtedly impressive.

The leading positions claimed by both Cadillac V-Series. R cars come as no surprise, given the success they achieved across multiple series last year, including IMSA, WEC, and a podium finish at the renowned 24 Hours of Le Mans. In a surprising turn of events, Acura finds itself in fifth and sixth place on the grid, considering their dominant performances at the Daytona road course in recent years. While questions may linger regarding the legality of last year's race-winning performance by the Meyer Shank team, it's important to acknowledge the team's consistent success at Daytona throughout the years.

With the absence of the MSR team this year, WTR with Andretti is determined to maintain Honda's winning streak. Wayne Taylor Racing has assembled an impressive driver lineup for the No. 40 car, featuring former winner Jordan Taylor, Louis Deletraz, Colton Herta, and F1 world champion Jenson Button making his IMSA debut. The No. 10 car is also equipped with a strong roster, including veterans Ricky Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque, Brendon Hartley, and Marcus Ericsson.

Qualifying for the Penske Porsche GTP team was relatively uneventful, as the No. 7 car driven by Dane Cameron, Felipe Nasr, Matt Campbell, and Josef Newgarden secured the third spot on the grid. The team's second car, the No. 6, will start from the sixth position.

BMW Team RLL showcased promising pace during qualifying, indicating a significant improvement from last year's debut. The No. 25 car secured fourth place on the grid, closely following the Cadillacs and Porsche. The No. 24 car will begin the race from the eighth position.

The stage is set for an enthralling showdown at the 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona, with Pipo Derani claiming pole position and breaking the lap record. As the green flag drops on Saturday, fans can expect a captivating battle between the formidable teams and their skilled drivers.