2. Ricky Taylor

Ricky Taylor finally captured his first Rolex 24 victory at the fourth attempt in 2017, albeit in contentious manner after colliding with Filipe Albuquerque in the closing laps. Nevertheless, the result spurred him on to take five straight victories to kick off the IMSA season, laying the foundations for a successful title bid for the family-run Wayne Taylor Racing team alongside brother Jordan.

New pastures beckoned for Ricky in 2018, though, as he signed for Penske’s new Acura DPi programme that will make its race debut at Daytona this weekend. Taylor will race alongside IndyCar stars Helio Castroneves and Graham Rahal at Daytona, and expectations are undoubtedly high as an all-star alliance between some of the finest endurance racers, one of America’s most famous racing marques and an established manufacturer begins its new journey.

This year’s Rolex 24 may be a venture into the unknown to some degree for Taylor as he takes a step outside of the family comfort zone, yet you can be sure he will leave nothing out on-track as he goes in search of a second straight victory at Daytona.