international motor sports association's (imsa) president scott atherton confirmed the race was part of the schedule for the 2018 weathertech sportscar championship in august 2017. it was the fifth consecutive year it was part of the weathertech sportscar championship, and the 56th 24 hours of daytona. the 24 hours of daytona was the first of twelve scheduled sports car endurance races of 2018 by imsa, and the first of four races of the north american endurance cup. it took place at the 12-turn daytona international speedway combined road course in daytona beach, florida, on january 27–28.