EDGE Sporting Management driver Kaylen Frederick made his debut in the iconic Daytona 24 Hours, the opening round of the 2026 IMSA SportsCar Championship, competing in the top‑level GTP category.
Frederick took on the challenge of the world‑famous endurance race at the wheel of the No. 83 Porsche 963, run by JDC‑Miller Motorsports, marking both his first appearance in the GTP class and his first 24‑hour race. The step up to prototype machinery and endurance competition represented a significant milestone in his career and an important opportunity to gain experience at the highest level of sports car racing.
The No. 83 crew showed encouraging pace during practice and qualifying, with the car securing eighth position on the grid.
In the race, Frederick was second into the car, taking over for a planned double stint. Rejoining the race in 11th position, he delivered an impressive opening stint, climbing to fourth place and demonstrating strong race pace against a field of far more experienced drivers. During this phase, Frederick managed tyre and fuel degradation effectively while maintaining competitive lap times.
During his second stint, Frederick was involved in a minor off‑track excursion following contact with a Cadillac at Turn 1. The incident is believed to have caused floor damage, which unfortunately compromised performance for the remainder of the race. Despite multiple repair attempts during pit stops, the team was unable to regain the early race pace shown in the opening stints.
From that point, the focus shifted to bringing the car home in the strongest possible position. Overnight running proved particularly challenging as heavy fog led to an extended full‑course yellow period of almost six hours. The prolonged neutralisation provided valuable endurance racing experience for Frederick, who is keen to pursue further 24‑hour events in the future.
Frederick completed his final stint on new tyres and, despite the lingering performance deficit, handed the car back to his team‑mate in good condition for the run to the finish. The No. 83 Porsche ultimately finished seventh, on the lead lap – a solid result in a race where only around half of the GTP field achieved that distinction.
Reflecting on the weekend, Frederick said:
“I absolutely loved the event and I’m really pleased to have my first Daytona 24 Hours under my belt. There was definitely more potential in the weekend than the final result shows, but that’s endurance racing. The team did a great job, and I learned a huge amount from the experience. I’m really looking forward to the Sebring test and the next round coming up so soon.”
Frederick also thanked EDGE Sporting Management for their continued support, along with JDC‑Miller Motorsports for welcoming him into the team and helping him settle quickly into the GTP programme.
Despite some frustration at the missed opportunity, the weekend ultimately provided a strong foundation, valuable experience, and a confidence boost for Frederick as he continues his progression in top‑level prototype racing.
Race Result Summary
| Qualifying | P8 – GTP Class |
| Race Result | P7 – GTP Class (Finished on Lead Lap) |
| Event | Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona – IMSA Round 1 |