Corvette’s 2016 Daytona Duel: Garcia Reflects

A decade has passed since one of the most thrilling finales in endurance racing history: the 2016 Rolex 24 at Daytona, where Antonio Garcia and teammate Oliver Gavin crossed the GTLM finish line separated by a mere 0.034 seconds. Motorsport.com spoke exclusively with Garcia, who vividly recalls the tension, drama, and exhilaration of that unforgettable duel.

The scene was perfect for General Motors: two bright yellow Corvette C7.Rs streaking side by side toward the checkered flag at Daytona International Speedway. In the end, the transponders declared the #4 Corvette of Gavin, Andy Milner, and André Lotterer ahead of Garcia’s #3 (Garcia, Jan Magnussen, Mike Rockenfeller) by just 34 milliseconds. At the time, it was the closest finish in Rolex 24 history — a record for the GT classes that still stands, surpassed only in 2023 in LMP2 by 0.016 seconds.

For Garcia, the narrow defeat was initially painful. “For months, I replayed it over and over,” he admits. “You’re constantly thinking: where could I have gained that fraction of a second? After 24 hours, 0.034s — it’s surreal.” Today, the Spaniard reflects on the moment with a smile, recognising its historical significance.

Let Them Race

The final showdown between the two Corvettes was far from guaranteed. With team orders a common practice in endurance racing, Corvette Racing displayed remarkable trust in their drivers. Both cars had pulled clear of the GTLM field after the last pit stops, but Doug Fehan, the team’s legendary programme manager, allowed them to race — under one strict condition: no contact.

“The only rule was we couldn’t touch,” Garcia recalls. “Doug convinced management to let us race. They trusted us completely.”

Garcia’s battle was the climax of a furious comeback. A fuel cell issue forced an extra pit stop, leaving him to claw back time. He drove relentlessly, ultimately closing in on Gavin in the final laps. “It was man against man — pure racing,” he says.

A Historic Image

The finish delivered more than a 1-2 result; it created one of the most iconic images in Corvette Racing history: two yellow C7.Rs, wheel to wheel, crossing the line in unison. For Garcia, however, it meant repeatedly signing the photo as the runner-up, a bittersweet reminder of those 34 milliseconds.

The sting of 2016 finally softened with victory in 2021 alongside Nicky Catsburg and Jordan Taylor. “Every win resets the process,” Garcia says. “But I’m proud to have been part of that moment, even in second place.”

Antonio Garcia – IMSA Highlights

Even after 10 years, the 2016 Daytona duel remains a benchmark of endurance racing excellence — a breathtaking combination of strategy, skill, and split-second precision that continues to define Antonio Garcia’s career.