Drawing firm conclusions from the Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona always is a dicey proposition. With IMSA officials keeping a watchful eye on manufacturer disparities, teams also are mindful about showing their hand.

IMSA released the entry list for the ROAR Before the 24 Wednesday (Jan. 8). Since teams are required to attend the ROAR in order to compete in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, it can be considered an updated entry list for the Rolex 24 as well. Once again, 61 teams are entered.

With 61 sports cars ready to get on track today, key storylines for the 63rd running of the 24-hour classic at Daytona International Speedway.

BMW ended up fastest and topped the times in three sessions over the official Roar test ahead of this weekend’s Daytona 24 Hours IMSA SportsCar Championship season-opener. A 1m35.424s around the Daytona International Speedway from Dries Vanthoor on the opening day aboard the #24 Rahal BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDh stood as the best time of the three-day test in which GTP class machinery took to the track in six sessions.

Daytona's annual sports-car run, the Rolex 24, began in 1962 as a 3-hour effort. It's been won by Mario Andretti and Paul Newman, among other stars.