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Ford Takes Over Daytona: The HSR Classic 24 Is Here

November 12, 2026 · Heath Patterson

Blue Oval fans, buckle up. The 12th running of the HSR Classic Daytona 24 Hour presented by Mission Foods is underway at Daytona International Speedway, and Ford is the Featured Marque. Record-setting eight run groups of historic and vintage race cars from the last 70 years will take turns on track for a full 24 hours.

Kickoff night

Wednesday started with a full day of unofficial testing, with competitors from more than a dozen countries turning laps. Then came the inaugural Ford Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic, a 30-minute night sprint with a Zac Brown Band concert. NASCAR Cup Champion Joey Logano and road racing ringer Joey Hand were among the drivers, all in identical Mustang Dark Horse R race cars. Proceeds benefit military and veteran support organizations through the Proud to Honor Fund.

The car I'm watching

Dan Long's 1966 No. 98 Superformance GT40, wrapped in the livery of the car Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby drove to the win 60 years ago. Long and Dennis Olthoff won the inaugural HSR Classic Road Atlanta 10 Hour last year, and Long wants his own Classic win this weekend in Run Group A. "Nothing would make me happier," he said, especially with Ford as the brand and the GT40's 60th anniversary being celebrated.

Saturday, November 14 (all times Eastern)

  • 10 a.m.: Ford Panel and Q&A in the Drivers Meeting room, infield near the FanZone. Free with a ticket or credential. Lineup so far:
    • Dan Long
    • Peter Miles, Grand Marshal and Ken Miles's son
    • Dorsey Schroeder, 1989 Trans-Am Champion with Ford
    • Billy Johnson
    • John Spiers
  • 11:30 a.m.: Ford Feature race, a 30-minute exhibition for Ford and Mercury sports cars of every generation
  • 2 p.m.: Green flag for the Classic Daytona 24

Can't make it?

Greenlight Television is handling the livestream on the HSR and IMSA YouTube channels. Saturday coverage runs 1:45 to 8 p.m., and Sunday picks up around 7:45 a.m. and goes through the checkered flag, signing off at 2 p.m.

Thursday is when official practice, qualifying and racing begin, so there's plenty of action before the main event. Entry lists, tickets and the full schedule are at HSRRace.com

I'll be watching every Ford out there. If you're in Central Florida and want to talk performance Fords, you know where to find me. Holler Ford, Maitland.

Heath, aka @BeardedManSellsFords