Toby Sowery secured a landmark victory at the 2026 24 Hours of Daytona, as CrowdStrike Racing by APR claimed a long-awaited LMP2 win in one of the most prestigious endurance races in world motorsport.
Competing at Daytona International Speedway alongside George Kurtz, Alex Quinn and Malthe Jakobsen, the #04 ORECA 07-Gibson delivered a composed and resilient performance across 24 hours to earn class honours and the coveted Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watches. The victory marked a significant breakthrough for the team, following a series of near-misses in previous years, including a runner-up finish decided by just 0.016 seconds in 2023.
The race did not begin smoothly, with early contact in Turn 1 causing left-rear damage to the #04 car, followed by a penalty that dropped the team off the lead lap within the opening stages. With more than 23 hours remaining, the focus immediately shifted to recovery, and through disciplined strategy, efficient pit work and consistent driving, CrowdStrike Racing worked its way back into contention, regaining lost laps during Full Course Yellow periods and stabilising the race through the early hours.
A pivotal moment came during the transition from day to night, when Sowery took control of the car and delivered a decisive stint. Charging from ninth to second in just a handful of laps, he cut through the LMP2 field and re-established the team as a genuine contender, matching the pace of the class leaders at a critical stage of the race. From that point on, the #04 entry remained firmly in the fight, with each driver contributing to a sustained push towards the front.
The race’s defining phase came overnight, when a prolonged Full Course Yellow caused by dense fog reshaped the order and opened the door for strategic gains. Toby Sowery capitalised, executing a disciplined fuel and tyre strategy that allowed the team to extend stints and position itself strongly for the closing hours. Even a late drive-through penalty failed to derail progress, with the team maintaining composure to recover once again and return to the front of the field.
In the final stages, strong execution across pit stops and race management ensured the #04 car remained in control, securing a hard-fought and long-awaited victory at Daytona. The result represents Sowery’s first win with CrowdStrike Racing by APR in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and a major milestone in his endurance racing career.
“It’s great to finally get the monkey off our backs by winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona. This race win had eluded CrowdStrike Racing by APR for multiple years and it’s also my first win with the team in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, so for this to come together is a spectacular feeling.
From Kurtz being taken out and receiving some damage on lap one to fighting back to the top step of the podium is a real testament to our team, mindset and skills. It highlights how you have to always keep your head up and in the game. I couldn’t be more thankful to George, Alex and Malthe, as well as Sam and Stewart Cox. It was a truly amazing team effort and it’s a special achievement.”