Rockenfeller, Ford Reunite to Make IMSA History Once Again In The No. 64 and 65
Mike Rockenfeller might be 42 on paper, but behind the wheel, that’s just a number. When you watch him drive, he still has the raw speed and aggressive edge of a rookie, yet he carries the wisdom of a man who has seen and won it all.
Within the Ford Multimatic Motorsports garage, he isn’t just the “old guy” on the roster. He is a cornerstone. Known affectionately as “Rocky,” this German driver has evolved from a European prototype specialist into a full-blown American racing enthusiast. His journey with Ford isn’t just a contract.
It has become a defining chapter in a career that was already legendary. Now, looking toward 2026, Rockenfeller is shifting gears, moving from a full-time seat to a specialized role in the Michelin Endurance Cup. But make no mistake: his hunger to win has not faded one bit.
From Le Mans Legend to Blue Oval Believer
To understand where Rockenfeller is going, you have to appreciate where he’s been. He cut his teeth climbing the sports car ladder with German giants like Porsche and Audi. His resume is the stuff of dreams. In 2010, he pulled off one of the rarest feats in motorsports: winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the same year. He conquered Daytona in a Porsche-powered prototype and Le Mans in a factory Audi diesel.
For a long time, Rocky was the face of German engineering. But over the last decade, his career took a distinct turn toward the States. He wrestled Corvettes around American road courses and became the go-to sports car expert for the Hendrick Motorsports Garage 56 project, guiding NASCAR icons Jimmie Johnson and Jenson Button at Le Mans in 2023.
That experience seemed to light a new fire. Since 2024, Rockenfeller has been a Ford man through and through. He spearheaded the launch of the Mustang GT3 in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, serving as the steady hand guiding the program through its growing pains and its ultimate triumphs.
Finding a New Family at Ford
Rockenfeller admits that the transition to Ford felt different than his previous stints with European manufacturers. It wasn’t just about the engineering. It was about the culture. In Europe, Ford is a well-known brand, but in the United States, it is a religion.
For Rocky, joining Ford meant joining a family. He speaks with genuine emotion about getting to know CEO Jim Farley and Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports Mark Rushbrook. He realized quickly that these weren’t just executives looking at spreadsheets. They were racers who lived and breathed the sport.
The immersion went deep. Rockenfeller recalls visiting the Henry Ford House in Detroit during his first year, walking the halls where the company’s founder lived. Hearing the stories of Henry and Edsel Ford gave him a sense of weight and responsibility.
He wasn’t just driving a car; he was writing new pages in a history book that goes back over a century. That emotional connection changed the way he approached the job. By his third year, he didn’t just feel like a hired gun. He felt like he belonged.
The Sweet Taste of Victory in Detroit
The 2025 season proved that Ford’s trust in Rockenfeller was well-placed. The Mustang GT3 took a massive leap forward in performance. Rocky secured the Motul Pole Award for the Rolex 24, proving the car had serious one-lap pace. But the highlight of the year, and perhaps his tenure with Ford so far, came on the streets of Detroit.
Racing in the Motor City is always intense, but for Ford, it’s personal. With General Motors’ headquarters looming over the skyline, the pressure to perform is suffocating. It is the ultimate battleground for American manufacturer pride. Rockenfeller and the team delivered, taking the win in Ford’s backyard.
He backs that memory up with another memorable moment at Indianapolis later in the year. Standing on the podium at the Brickyard is special for any driver, but for Rockenfeller, having his family there made it unforgettable. As a father of three, he notes that sharing those emotions, the relief, the joy, the validation with his kids is what truly matters. Racing is his passion, but moments like that remind him that life is bigger than the track.
Eyes on the Prize for 2026
Things will look a little different for the No. 64 team in 2026. Rockenfeller will step back from the full-season grind to focus exclusively on the long races: the Michelin Endurance Cup. He will split his time between the No. 64 and No. 65 cars, partnering with Dennis Olsen, Ben Barker, and his 2025 teammate Seb Priaulx.
This isn’t a retirement tour. It’s a targeted strike. By focusing on the endurance rounds, Rockenfeller has a singular goal: getting another Rolex.He admits that missing out on the win at the 2025 Rolex 24 stung. While his teammates in the sister car took the victory, Rockenfeller finished third. He was happy for the team. A win for Ford is a win for everyone, but the racer in him wanted that watch.
He knows that to win a 24-hour race, you have to be perfect. In 2026, with a refined car and a laser focus on the endurance events, Rockenfeller plans to do just that. He’s got the history, he’s got the family behind him, and he’s got the speed. Now, he just wants to stop buying watches and win a free one.
