The Season Starts at Full Throttle
Photo by Chris Green Photography LLC
First race of the season… and it’s the Rolex 24 at Daytona. No easing into things. No warm-up lap for the year. Just straight into one of the most iconic endurance races in the world.
“Daytona makes the rest of them feel easier!” Kenton says. “Setting the bar for the start of the season with Daytona is always special. Having the chance to compete in this race is special.”
And special usually means intense.
The Climb: P11 to P7
Photo by Chris Green Photography LLC
Endurance racing is never a straight line — and Kenton’s race was proof.
“It was an up and down race, but we ended up getting back onto the lead lap and battling back to a respectable position. We didn’t quite have the speed to compete for the win, but that didn’t stop us from trying.”
That fight paid off with a hard-earned P7 finish after starting P11 — the kind of result that sets the tone for a long season ahead.
The Real Challenge of a 24-Hour Race
You might think the hardest part is driving at the limit for hours. Kenton says otherwise.
“Trying to sleep at a loud race track! That’s honestly the hardest part. Then getting up from a sleepless nap to go drive. Thankfully adrenaline kicks in and you’re able to push through.”
Endurance racing is as much mental as it is physical — and comfort becomes more than a luxury. It becomes performance.
The Gear That Matters Most
Photo by Chris Green Photography LLC
When you’re strapped into a race car for three hours at a time, the little things stop being little.
“My honest answer is always going to be: a comfortable seat, good shoes, gloves, a helmet that fits right, and glasses that don’t hurt and slide on quickly. Driving for 3 hours at a time can cause even the smallest annoyances to become big ones.”
Kenton wore Luzon RX frames in the new Brown finish under his helmet at Daytona — built with ultra-thin temples that eliminate pressure points and stay put when focus matters most.
Mid-Race Adjustments? Not Really.
“Thankfully not too much. Occasional itch would move them, but that’s not abnormal.”
Exactly how it should be. No distractions. No mid-stint fidgeting. Just racing.
Best Moments from Daytona
Some of the best moments aren’t always the ones you expect.
“On track it’s the battles at the end of the race that are intense. Getting put into the grass by someone and then getting righteous payback is always a sweet moment.”
But the paddock had its share of comedy too:
“One of the funniest moments was hearing my teammate forgot to remove his seat insert and the other driver jumped in on top of it — and had to drive for a couple hours on a seat that wasn’t his.”
Endurance racing: equal parts grit and chaos.
Biggest Lesson from Race One
“It’s early — there will be more.”
A calm reminder that the season is long, and momentum builds race by race.
A Message to the Fans
Photo by Chris Green Photography LLC
“Always grateful for fans and love talking with those who come up to me at the track. Probably one of the most enjoyable things I get to do there. Thankful to be a part of it and always appreciate those who’ve supported me to this point.”
From the grid to the garage, that support fuels everything.
Here’s to race one in the books — and a whole season still ahead. 🏁
