Mike Rockenfeller secured the first-ever GTD PRO pole position for the Ford Mustang GT3, leading a Ford Multimatic Motorsports front-row lockout for the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Despite the impressive qualifying performance, Rockenfeller remains cautiously optimistic about the race prospects. He highlighted concerns about tire degradation over longer stints, noting that qualifying pace doesn't necessarily translate to race performance.

"We struggle a bit more over a stint with our tire deg," Rockenfeller explained. "The qualifying setup worked perfectly, but the race is a different story entirely. Success will come down to avoiding mistakes and minimizing pit stops over the 24 hours."

This marks Rockenfeller's first IMSA pole position since March 2006, when he qualified first in a Porsche/Crawford Daytona Prototype at Homestead-Miami Speedway. While acknowledging the increased competition compared to last year, he maintains that strong single-lap pace could translate into a potential victory if the team executes their strategy effectively during the final hours of the race.

The team will now focus on managing tire wear and maintaining consistency throughout the 24-hour endurance challenge as they pursue the Mustang GT3's first global victory.

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