Category: IMSA

ELKHART LAKE, Wisconsin – Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 teams Winward Racing and Korthoff Preston Motorsports bring across-the-board GT Daytona (GTD) class championship points leads and a podium-perfect 2024 race record to Round 7 of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD season this weekend on the four-mile Road America circuit. Sunday’s featured two-hour and 40-minute IMSA WeatherTech Championship race follows Saturday’s two-hour IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race in which Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams Winward and JMF Motorsports compete in Mercedes-AMG GT4s in the top-level Grand Sport (GS) class.

The Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing WeatherTech Championship success this season has been anchored by Winward and team co-drivers Russell Ward and Philip Ellis in the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3. Winward won four of the year’s first six races and backed it up with a second-place finish one race ago at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. The four victories are the most for any WeatherTech Championship team in any class this year, with no teams in the series’ three other divisions winning more than two races.

The No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 team has built the best overall performance record in the WeatherTech series with victories in the season’s first three endurance races at Daytona, Sebring and Watkins Glen and a sprint race win at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

​Full-season team drivers Ward and Ellis were part of all four victories with Indy Donje partnering for the trio of endurance victories. Daniel Morad also joined the Winward squad as the team’s fourth and ultimately race-closing driver at the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona.

The on-track success has kept the No. 57, Ward and Ellis atop the WeatherTech Championship GTD team and driver point standings all season. Even the second-place finish in Canada three weeks ago bolstered Winward’s championship leads to season-high levels heading to Road America.

Ward, Ellis and the Winward No. 57 came into the Canadian round 305 points ahead of the nearest driver and team championship challengers, but have now increased that season-high lead to an even bigger 340 points, 2090 – 1,750, going into Road America

Mercedes-AMG maintains an even larger lead in the GTD manufacturer championship battle with 2,185 points, a full season-high 397 ahead of the second-place competitor’s 1,788 points.

The maximum points available to a driver, team or manufacturer in all GTD championships for a race win is 350, which means Winward, Ward and Ellis are just 10 points shy of having full race leads in the driver and team title battles.

Mercedes-AMG’s margin in the manufacturer championship, which more than exceeds a full-race points lead, has also been supported this season by the No. 32 Korthoff Preston Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 team. The Korthoff team and drivers arrive at Road America third in the GTD championship standings.

The No. 32 team and drivers Mike Skeen and Mikael Grenier stepped up to earn the championship points for Mercedes-AMG in April at the Grand Prix of Long Beach with a third-place finish. The victory lane visit was the first podium result for the Korthoff team since finishing third in GTD last year at Road America.

Skeen and Grenier co-drove to last year’s Road America podium as well, but this weekend their teammate Kenton Koch, a Korthoff endurance race regular, steps into the No. 32 to co-drive with Grenier. Skeen, who has been with the Korthoff team since its debut season in 2021, will be back in the car with Grenier and Koch for the year’s final two races in Indianapolis and Atlanta as Korthoff looks to repeat its 2023 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup GTD Championship.

Combined with Winward’s four wins and lone runner-up finish this season, Korthoff’s visit to victory lane at Long Beach makes Mercedes-AMG the only competing brand in the WeatherTech Championship’s two GTD classes – GTD and GTD Pro – to place a car on the podium in each of the year’s first six races.

A pair of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams are also entered in Saturday’s two-hour Michelin Pilot Challenge race at Road America in the top-tier Grand Sport (GS) class.

Morad and co-driver Bryce Ward – Russell Ward’s father – share the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4 while Jesse Webb and teammate Michai Stephens co-drive the No. 34 JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT4.

Bryce Ward, Morad and the No. 57 team are determined to have a rebound performance at Road America after being knocked out of the most recent race in Canada at the start. Bryce Ward was uninjured in the incident, but the last-place finish that was a result of the hit was a devastating blow to the team’s championship bid.

Winward opened the season with three podium finishes in the year’s first five races, and similar, if not better, results at Road America and the year’s final three races that follow will be needed to fight back into a top-three championship position.

A winning Mercedes-AMG GT4 team in its first year in IMSA GS competition, JMF, Webb and Stephens have shown race-leading pace all year. Season-best finishes of seventh at Sebring and Mid-Ohio, however, are not indicative of the on-track potential of the No. 34 team and drivers.

A three-day race weekend, the Road America schedule gets underway with opening practice for the WeatherTech and Pilot Challenge series on Friday.

Saturday begins with GS qualifying at 8:20 a.m. CDT to set the grid for that afternoon’s two-hour Pilot Challenge race that is scheduled to start at 1:45 p.m. CDT. A final WeatherTech 90-minute practice takes place Saturday at 9:55 a.m. CDT, with GTD qualifying wrapping up the day that afternoon at 4:20 p.m. CDT.

Sunday’s sole on-track action for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport customer teams is the featured two-hour and 40-minute IMSA WeatherTech Championship race that is slated to go green at 2:10 p.m. CDT for the two-hour and 40-minute race.

Live race coverage begins at 3 p.m. EDT on NBC’s streaming network Peacock with same-day broadcast coverage airing on CNBC later on Sunday at 6 p.m. EDT. International viewers can watch the race live on IMSA.TV starting at 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday.

Philip Ellis, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “It’s nice to go into the next couple of races with a good lead, but it only takes one bad weekend where you don’t make the race to have that lead disappear. So, it’s still the same mentality as we have had at the races going into Road America with no mistakes and having a clean race. We will capitalize on other people’s mistakes, just do our jobs, keep it clean and see where we end up. For us as a team, it is just focusing on the execution of the race. I expect Road America to be a bit better than last year with the new asphalt being run in a little, so the racing itself should be a little more interesting, and better on our side as well. It should be a good weekend, just like we had one race ago in Canada, and we will be banking on a good qualifying and then having a good race as a team. The team has been doing a great job on strategies the entire year, and we have been one of the strongest teams on strategies the last few seasons. With the current performance rules, we will have to use that strategy to our advantage, maybe play the fuel game, which won us the race in 2022. We will try to do the same again, but there is always risk management, where you don’t want to sacrifice too many points going for one single result. We will keep the outlook on the overall championship.”

Mikael Grenier, Driver – No. 32 Korthoff Preston Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3: “Last year at Road America we were good on strategy and able to get a podium. We will focus on strategy again and on having a good qualifying because getting and trying to keep track position will be very important for us. It is good to have Kenton with us this weekend.”

Michai Stephens, Driver – No. 34 JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT4: “From one high-speed coliseum to the next! The Canadian Tire Motorsport Park weekend opened our eyes to a few things we hope to take advantage of at Road America. Maximizing the chassis performance across a wide range of corner types, long straights, heavy brake zones and aggressive curbing demands a lot from not only the car but the team and drivers as well. Like Canada and Daytona, drafting strategies and techniques will likely play a significant role in how we maintain pace and manage fuel saving. The team has been growing stronger with every round of the championship, and the passion to secure a top-five finish and ultimately a podium by season’s end is still strong! Given Road America’s proximity to my home in Illinois, I do consider it to be one of my home tracks, with Indy being a close rival. The reality of my childhood dream of being a racing driver comes into focus with the presence of family and friends because they have all played active roles in the timeline that has brought us to this moment. Funny enough, I enjoy knowing exactly which turn my family is watching from because it’s guaranteed to provide a burst of overwhelming energy lap after lap!”

BATAVIA, Ohio. (July 31, 20240) – Wright Motorsports stands ready to take on the legendary Road America road course in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin for the next round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Racing the No. 120 Porsche 911 GT3 R, driven by Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer, the team aims to capitalize on their momentum and close in on their first win in the 2024 season.

“After sitting out the previous round in Canada, we’re excited to get back to racing in the IMSA WeatherTech series,” said Team Owner John Wright. “We have many years of experience running Porsches at Road America and we’ve had strong results so far this year. We’re ready to put it all together and have a positive run in Wisconsin.”

Despite not competing in the entire championship, the dynamic duo of Adelson and Skeer have shown remarkable ability on the track racing against more seasoned sports car racing veterans. They first debuted their Porsche 911 GT3 R (type 992) at Road America in 2023 and have spent the last year making great strides with the impressive Porsche. This familiarity with the track, combined with the drivers’ growing experience, sets the stage for an exciting performance in Sunday’s race.

The two-hour and 40-minute race kicks off on Sunday at 2:10 PM CT. Fans will watch as all five IMSA WeatherTech classes compete and Wright Motorsports, Adelson, and Skeer push the limits in pursuit of their first victory in the GTD category. For those not able to attend, the race will air stream in the United States on Peacock and internationally on imsa.com/tvlive and IMSA’s YouTube page.

EVENT SCHEDULE | ALL TIMES CENTRAL

Friday, August 2
1:55 PM – 3:25 PM Practice 1

Saturday, August 3

9:55 AM – 11:25 AM Practice 2
12:15 PM – 12:45 PM Autograph Session
4:20 PM – 4:35 PM GTD Qualifying

Sunday, August 4

12:50 PM – 1:50 PM Open Grid Fan Walk
2:10 PM – 4:50 PM IMSA SportsCar Weekend (Race)

DRIVER QUOTES

Adam Adelson

Road America is one of the greatest tracks in the world, and I’ve thoroughly loved racing on it every time I’ve been there. To be racing there with IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship is something that I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time, and I can’t wait to get out there.

Elliott Skeer

I’m Very much looking forward to what will be a packed IMSA weekend at Road America! It’s a super cool feeling going from old-school track to old-school track and getting the full experience of North American sports car racing at its best. Road America was our debut in the 911 GT3 R last year and I’m super excited to see the progress Wright has made to the car as well as Adam’s driving! Going to be fun as always.

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Wright Motorsports
Wright Motorsports is the premier Porsche race engineering facility in Ohio and a multi-series and international racing team known for superb car preparation, expert race strategy, and driver development. Located in Batavia, Ohio, it is owned and directed by John Wright, a certified Porsche factory-trained technician. As a crew chief John Wright has played a key role in winning eight driver and seven team championships in World Challenge, IMSA (ALMS) and the Grand-Am Rolex Series. Wright Motorsports won the team championship in Porsche GT3 Cup USA in 2012, 2013, and 2015, and went on to win the Pirelli World Challenge Overall, Sprint, Team, and Manufacturer’s titles in 2017. In 2020, the team captured the GT World Challenge America Am championship. In 2021, Wright Motorsports had a wildly successful season, capturing nine championships across their five racing efforts.

Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs looking to add second IMSA victory following CTMP win

DETROIT (July 31, 2024) – With the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R’s first win in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship now in the rear-view mirror, next up – naturally – is trying to get its second.

The next round of the IMSA schedule – and the Corvette Racing program’s 300th all-time start – is a natural fit for both the back-to-back attempt and the Corvette brand as a whole. Historic Road America has long been a playground for Corvette race and production cars for more than 60 years, evidenced by thousands of testing miles and eight IMSA victories for Corvette Racing cars dating back to 2002.

Three of the first-year Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs will be in action across two classes in Sunday’s IMSA SportsCar Weekend event at the 4.048-mile, 14-turn road course in rural Wisconsin.

In GTD PRO, Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports will look to make it two straight wins after a 1-2 finish at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park a little more than two weeks ago.

Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims capped a stellar weekend for the team at the Chevrolet Grand Prix with a race win, class pole position and fastest race lap in the No. 3 Corvette.

They led teammates Tommy Milner – who recently won both rounds of GT World Challenge America at VIR in a Corvette – and Nicky Catsburg in the No. 4 Z06 GT3.R across the finish line for the program’s 71st 1-2 finish in IMSA … the most for any team in the series.

As the Corvette Racing factory program, the Pratt Miller team has recorded eight victories at Road America over the years – the most recent coming with the Corvette C8.R in 2020. That also was the last time the team finished off the class podium at the circuit.

In GTD, AWA is hoping to rebound after an unfortunate early end to its home race at CTMP. Orey Fidani and Matt Bell will again team in the No. 13 Corvette for their first race around Road America in the Z06 GT3.R. The track has been good for the pairing lately with consecutive LMP3 podiums the last two years, including a runner-up finish in 2022.

Despite being spun out and having to retire the previous race, Fidani continues to lead the Bob Akin Award standings, with the highest points-scoring Bronze driver at the end of the year earning an automatic entry to the following year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The IMSA SportsCar Weekend race at Road America is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. CT on Sunday, August 4. The race will air on CNBC from 6-9 p.m. ET with live streaming on Peacock inside the United States and IMSA.com outside the U.S. IMSA Radio will air all on-track sessions beginning with Friday afternoon’s opening practice at IMSA.com with the race call also on XM 206 and SiriusXM Online 996.

CORVETTE RACING BY PRATT MILLER MOTORSPORTS PRE-EVENT DRIVER QUOTES

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It’s always nice to come into a race having won the previous one. The entire team has worked very hard to get us into these positions, and it was nice to finally deliver the first IMSA win for the Z06 GT3.R. Getting a second this weekend at Road America will be very tough. Still we know that there is more to winning races that outright speed. We need to keep taking chances and being clever with our strategy to put us toward the front. From there, we know that anything can happen as we have seen with a few Corvette wins at Road America over the years.”

ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “In terms of what the car can do, the Corvette is really good in cornering and on the brakes so with the heavy braking zones we should be good. Sections like the Carousel and the Kink should be quite exciting to drive. It’s a great track and fun to drive. It’s a lovely set of corners and a cool track to race one with a lot of places to overtake. It should be a good weekend.

“These to me are the type of tracks that I really enjoy. It rewards seat-of-the-pants, high-risk and high-reward driving. With multi-class racing, it’s an added craziness where you have to pass in corners where ordinarily you’d never think of it. Everyone on track has to respect each other and make it work. It’s what makes me get up in the morning and do what we do.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It’s really nice to do so much more racing this year. Going from the same platform across two different series, but being back in IMSA full-time and now adding GT World Challenge, this stretch of the year is always busy. It feels like one weekend leads right into the next one. You get very familiar with the car and really get a chance to get deep down into the details and manipulate the car in such a way with setup to get it exactly to where you want it to feel. Doing the two series gives you a chance to in some ways fine-tune your driving even more. From my perspective it’s all good. It’s busy for sure but this is something I’ve wanted to do for the last two or three years – doing more racing. Getting that opportunity, I’m excited for this stretch to do a lot of racing toward the end of the season. I feel like both programs are hitting their stride a little bit. We’re knocking on the doorstep with Pratt Miller of getting a win. Podiums are great but the team is pushing really hard for wins. So I feel like we’re close here. Obviously we’ve already had some great success with DXDT Racing at COTA, and we definitely want to keep carrying that momentum forward.”

NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “This part of the calendar that is the most challenging one but also the one I have looked forward to most. That’s because it is all of these cool tracks that I haven’t been to before yet, and now I get to experience them. The first was Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, and that went quite well from the start. It was really enjoyable to push the limits on a new track from the get-go. We tested a few months ago at Road America, and that for sure helps. It’s very challenging and nice to push your own boundaries and be useful to the team and not a liability or someone that is holding back the team. It’s a nice challenge and I am enjoying it so far.

“Road America is one of those places like CTMP. It’s high-commitment with a lot of risk versus reward. If you go off, you’re going to have a big issue. When you haven’t been somewhere and you have to work yourself up to the limit, you need some time and we don’t have that time. So you need to push your own limits a lot to get there are quickly as possible. The Kink, the Carousel and those kinds of corners aren’t scary but tricky and places where you need to be brave.”

AWA PRE-EVENT DRIVER QUOTES

MATT BELL, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Another iconic track on the IMSA calendar, I love going back to Road America. I had my first podium with Orey and AWA there back in 2022 and we managed to do it again last year, so we want to keep that pattern going. The whole team is highly motivated for this one, we put ourselves in a great position for an awesome result at CTMP before being taken out, and we all want to finish that job this weekend!”

OREY FIDANI, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “As a driver, Road America is a stop on the calendar that we all look forward to every year. It’s fast, it’s intense, and it requires full commitment and concentration from start to finish. This is a track that we’re very familiar with. We know we can do well here again, and I’m looking forward to the challenge. It’s unforgiving by nature, but that’s exciting because it means we should have good opportunities that we can capitalize on.”

2024 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Points

GTD PRO Drivers Standings

1. Laurin Heinrich/Seb Priaulx – 1955
2. Ross Gunn – 1857
3. Ben Barnicoat/Jack Hawksworth – 1835
4. Alexander Sims/Antonio Garcia – 1774
5. Bryan Sellers/Madison Snow – 1679
6. Nicky Catsburg/Tommy Milner – 1676

GTD PRO Teams Standings

1. No. 77 AO Racing – 1955
2. No. 23 Heart of Racing Team – 1857
3. No. 14 Vasser Sullivan – 1835
4. No. 3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports – 1774
5. No. 1 Paul Miller Racing – 1679
6. No. 4 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports – 1676

GTD PRO Manufacturers Standings

1. Porsche – 2001
2. Aston Martin – 1892
3. Lexus – 1879
4. Chevrolet – 1859
5. McLaren – 1743

GTD Drivers Standings

1. Philip Ellis/Russell Ward – 2090
2. Patrick Gallagher/Robby Foley – 1750
3. Parker Thompson – 1648
4. Mikael Grenier/Mike Skeen – 1521
5. Albert Costa Balboa/Manny Franco – 1508
6. Matthew Bell/Orey Fidani – 1283

GTD Teams Standings

1. No. 57 Windward Racing – 2090
2. No. 96 Turner Motorsport – 1750
3. No. 32 Korthoff/Preston Motorsport – 1521
4. No. 34 Conquest Racing – 1508
5. No. 12 VasserSullivan – 1455
6. No. 13 AWA – 1283

GTD Manufacturers Standings

1. Mercedes-AMG – 2185
2. Lexus – 1788
3. Aston Martin – 1765
4. Lamborghini – 1729
5. Porsche – 1721
6. Chevrolet – 1518

Corvette Racing at Road America (wins in bold)

2002

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Oliver Gavin – 2nd in GTS (Fellows pole; Gavin fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins – 1st in GTS

2003

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell – 2nd in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Oliver Gavin/Kelly Collins – 5th in GTS (Gavin pole, fastest race lap)

2004

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell – 2nd in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 1st in GTS (Beretta pole, fastest race lap)

2005

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell – 2nd in GT1

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 1st in GT1 (Gavin pole, Beretta fastest race lap)

2006

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell – 1st in GT1

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 2nd in GT1 (Gavin fastest race lap)

2007

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Johnny O’Connell – 2nd in GT1 (Magnussen pole, fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 1st in GT1

2008

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Johnny O’Connell/Jan Magnussen – 1st in GT1

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 3rd in GT1 (Gavin pole, fastest race lap)

2009

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Johnny O’Connell – 3rd in GT2

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 6th in GT2

2010

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Johnny O’Connell – 4th in GT2

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 3rd in GT2 (Gavin pole, fastest race lap)

2011

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Tommy Milner – 14th in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 5th in GT

2012

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 6th in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 4th in GT

2013

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 2nd in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 3rd in GT

2014

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 6th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 7th in GTLM

2015

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 4th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 7th in GTLM

2016

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 6th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 1st in GTLM (5th to 1st in final 15 minutes)

2017

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 4th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 5th in GTLM

2018

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 3rd in GTLM (Garcia fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 2nd in GTLM

2019

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 4th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 6th in GTLM (Gavin pole, Milner fastest race lap)

2020

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 1st in GTLM (Garcia fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 2nd in GTLM

2021

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 2nd in GTLM (Taylor pole)

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy – 3rd in GTLM (Milner fastest race lap)

2022

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 3rd in GTD PRO

2023

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 3rd in GTD PRO

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

ELKHART LAKE, Wisconsin (July 30, 2024) – Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti) head north to Road America as the team’s pair of Acura ARX-06 GTPs prepare to complete the final sprint race of 2024. The IMSA SportsCar Weekend at Road America is the last two-hour, 40-minute event on the schedule for the GTP class this season, alluding to be a crucial race in the championship.

Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque in the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 will return to Road America hoping to capitalize on their past success at the track. Road America is a place familiar to both Taylor and Albuquerque, both earning pole positions and podiums along with that impressive victory in 2022. With only three events remaining, Taylor and Albuquerque are focused to end the season on a high note and earn as many championship points as possible.

Louis Delétraz and Jordan Taylor head to Road America for the first time as co-drivers of the No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06. Delétraz has previous experience at Road America after racing in LMP2 class in 2023 while Taylor won at the 4.048-mile road course in 2020 in the GTLM (now GTD PRO) class. For the No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06 team, every championship point counts as they try to close the gap to the leaders in the standings for the final races of the year.

Action for the IMSA SportsCar Weekend at Road America begins on Friday, August 2, at 2:55 p.m. ET with practice. WTRAndretti’s duo of Acura ARX-06s will tackle qualifying on Saturday, August 3, at 6:10 p.m. ET on Peacock. The IMSA SportsCar Weekend sprint is set for 3:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 4, live on Peacock and IMSA.TV.

Wayne Taylor, Team Principal, WTRAndretti: “It’s amazing how fast this year has gone by. Road America was a good race for us in 2022, winning for the first time there. We had a good test there recently. I think the Acura ARX-06s are going to be fast. I’m very excited because I think we are going to have two really competitive cars. Our goal is to get both cars on the podium.”

No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 GTP Drivers
Ricky Taylor: “On the 10 car side, we can only worry about race wins. The championship will sort itself out. With the deficit we have we must just try to win as many races as we can. We had a very strong car last year as well as a good test earlier this month. We are very well prepared. Road America will be about using our past knowledge and building on it with what we learned at the test. Then it’s all about execution as usual.”

Filipe Albuquerque: “Road America is such a nice track. We were lucky to be testing there and everything went smooth. The asphalt continues to have nice grip and hopefully now it’s more constant, inside and out. Last year it was pretty tricky whenever you made a mistake offline. Let’s hope that it’s more linear this year. It’s another round and last time we were at Watkins Glen, we were unlucky, but we were fighting for the win in the last half hour. We’ll keep pushing and the WTRAndretti team is good. A flat track with downforce and grip should suit us so let’s see how we do!”

No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06 GTP Drivers
Louis Delétraz: “I love Road America and can’t wait to be at the race. We tested a few weeks ago, the car felt great and it’s so fast with the GTP cars. The track is challenging, hopefully it will fit the Acura ARX-06 well. I think the whole WTRAndretti team is ready. We need good results to keep the championship fight on. I’m ready and excited!”

Jordan Taylor: “Road America is always a highlight on the schedule. It’s such a great event as a whole. It brings out true sportscar fans, the whole town embraces the event, and the track is amazing. We only have three races left this year which is hard to believe. With where we stand in the points, we basically need to win all three races to have a chance in the championship. It’s not impossible. Back in 2013 that is exactly what we did, we ended the year with three wins and won the championship. I think we have been knocking on the door for another win, just little things have been holding us back. We had a strong test at Road America a few weeks ago where the car felt very good, so I’m excited to get back and see where we stack up.”

ABOUT WTRANDRETTI
Andretti Global and Wayne Taylor Racing announced a new, long-term partnership in 2023 that combines the resources of the two championship-caliber teams to compete in IMSA’s top classes. In 2024, Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti) has expanded to a two-car GTP program as well as competes in the GTD class. Coming off its 2023 championship winning effort, WTRAndretti continues its Driver Development Program competing in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series with a full stable.

WTRAndretti’s global motorsports enterprise boasts two IMSA driver championships (2013 and 2017), and back-to-back IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Championships (2020, 2021) which contributed to nine IMSA manufacturer championships for Acura, Pontiac, Corvette and Cadillac. In its brief 17-year history, WTRAndretti has accumulated multiple victories in sportscar racing’s most iconic events: Rolex 24 At Daytona, Twelve Hours of Sebring, Petit Le Mans, Mid-Ohio, Road America and the Six Hours of The Glen. With its back-to-back PRO Class Championship wins (2022, 2023), WTR also has ten North America Lamborghini Super Trofeo Championship titles and a Lamborghini World Finals title.

Andretti Global, a Championship-winning motorsports organization, competes in additional racing categories worldwide, including the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Extreme E, Australian Supercars and the Mexico SuperCopa Championship. Additionally, the racing enterprise commits to driver development through competition in INDY NXT by Firestone and through support of Sebastian and Oliver Wheldon’s racing careers.

WTRAndretti’s long term partnerships include Acura, Honda Racing Corporation US (HRC), Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA, DEX Imaging, Harrison Contracting Company and Gainbridge.

Cadillac Racing GTP entries look to bag hefty points in effort to repeat titles

DETROIT (July 30, 2024) – The IMSA SportsCar Weekend at Road America would be the perfect time for Renger van der Zande and Sebastien Bourdais to score their second victory of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season in the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R.

Van der Zande and Bourdais enter the 2-hour, 40-minute race Aug. 4 having earned podium finishes in four of the past five races, including runner-up at the most recent race at Watkins Glen International. They are second in the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) standings with three races remaining.

“Now it’s three races to go and the big push for the championship, so hopefully Road America is one more step toward that goal,” said Bourdais, who has teamed with van der Zande to qualify no lower than third in all six IMSA races, including pole at Laguna Seca. “We’ve done a decent job at being consistent and scoring points and will have to stay consistent and focused.”

Van der Zande recorded three consecutive podium finishes (2020-2022) with Cadillac Racing though victory in the prototype class has eluded him at the sweeping 4.048-mile, 14-turn circuit.

“Podiums are nice. Wins are what we need, so that is what we come to Road America for,” said van der Zande, who has recorded at least one victory in each of his 11 IMSA seasons.

Cadillac Racing has earned three pole starts at the track since 2017, including 2023 by Pipo Derani in the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R. The reigning and two-time prototype champion won from the pole in 2021 at the track with Cadillac Racing. The race will mark Derani’s 75th in IMSA competition.

Ten GTP cars are entered in the field of 47 across four classes.

Peacock will stream the race live at 3 p.m. ET Sunday and qualifications at 5:15 p.m. ET Saturday for U.S. viewers. IMSA.TV and the IMSA YouTube Channel (youtube.com/IMSAOfficial) will stream the race and qualifications live for the global audience. Saturday qualifications and the race will be broadcast on IMSA.com, RadioLeMans.com and SiriusXM (XM 206, Web/App 996).

What they’re saying

No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R

Sebastien Bourdais: “One of the crown jewels of road racing in America. A place that everybody loves to go to. Super challenging, quick and a little bit of everything – slow-speed, high-speed corners and long straights where the cars can really stretch their legs. The resurfacing last year made it a little tricky off-line. One year later it seems to have evened out some and all of the racing that we’ve seen so far has become less scary to go off-line, so it should definitely open some opportunities. We’ve had some strong runs recently but missing that last little thing to win races. Top speed has been the main factor. We’ve done a decent job at being consistent and scoring points and will have to stay consistent and focused. Overall, we’re in a good place and we understand more of what we need from the car and how to perform. Both Renger and I have really settled into our roles in the organization and it’s helping results. Now it’s three races to go and the big push for the championship, so hopefully Road America is one more step toward that goal.”

Renger van der Zande: “Road America is one of the classics, one of the special ones in America. An old-school racetrack with high-speed corners, low-speed corners, and it’s one of those tracks where you need a lot of power to conquer the long straights. We’ll see what we come up with. Podiums are nice. Wins are what we need, so that is what we come to Road America for.”

No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R

Pipo Derani: “I’m looking forward to Road America as it’s one of the nicest tracks in America. Super fast and enjoyable to drive. Last year we had a strong car and unfortunately an accident on warm-up took us away from pole and changed the course of our weekend. We are looking forward to trying to get another pole and hopefully a race win.”

Jack Aitken: “Road America is a place where I’ve been for just a rollout test, so I’ve not done many laps. It’s a place that is extremely popular and one of the legendary circuits on the calendar, so I’m looking forward to competing there. The circuit looks more spacious than some of the other tracks we’ve been to this year and I’m thinking it might not be quite as hectic but quite easy to make a mistake. The resurfacing definitely looks like it changed the character of the track a little bit. It’s faster, but if it rains it’s pretty slick. We saw last year and in other series that if you lose concentration the circuit can be quite punishing. It should be a nice challenge. We need a win and I hold the same optimism that I’ve had the past few races and don’t see a reason why we can’t get it. Pipo was competitive here last year and I’m a quick learner, so I don’t foresee any issues.”

ELKHART LAKE, Wisconsin (July 29, 2024) – The Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti) No. 45 DEX Imaging Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 team will continue the northern leg of the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship (IWSC) season at Road America for the fourth sprint race of the 2024 season. The No. 45 team has secured a top six finish in each of the sprint races leading up to Road America and will look to continue this momentum at the iconic venue.

For Road America, Danny Formal will be joined by Sandy Mitchell as a substitute for full-season co-driver, Kyle Marcelli. Marcelli will miss the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship event at Road America due a minor arm injury.

Formal has seen plenty of success at Road America in his Lamborghini Super Trofeo career, but this weekend will mark his first start in the IMSA SportsCar Weekend sprint race. Formal has tallied three Lamborghini Super Trofeo victories at the 4.048-mile road course.

Road America will mark the return for Mitchell to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship paddock after recently competing at the Rolex 24 At Daytona and marks his return to the WTRAndretti team where, together, they won the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Championship in 2019. Mitchell, like his co-driver Formal, has experienced success at Road America in Lamborghini Super Trofeo, winning both events at Road America in 2019.
“Obviously, this weekend will be a little different without Kyle Marcelli in the GTD car,” said Wayne Taylor, Team Principal, WTRAndretti. “We look at every aspect of the GTD program and this was a case of putting Sandy in the car and see how we run while Kyle recovers. The Lamborghini has shown speed at previous events, and I have good feelings about this weekend and what our team can achieve.”

The No. 45 DEX Imaging Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 team will begin preparations on Friday, August 2, at 2:55 p.m. ET with practice. Qualifying is set for Saturday, August 3, at 5:20 p.m. ET. The IMSA SportsCar Weekend at Road America will go green at 3:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 4, with the broadcast live on Peacock and IMSA.TV.

No. 45 DEX Imaging Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 Drivers
Kyle Marcelli: “I’m gutted to be missing Road America. It is a circuit that I love; a town that I love. Unfortunately, this arm injury needs to be dealt with for us to move forward and for me to perform to at the best of my ability in the car. Fortunately, we have a fantastic replacement in Sandy Mitchell. I got a chance to get to know Sandy back in April when he joined us for a test in Monterey. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the car. It will be great for the team to have him step in. I wish the program nothing but the best and a fantastic result at Road America.”

Danny Formal: “My first win ever with a WTRAndretti was at Road America in 2021. I’m super excited to go back there. A big piece of the team isn’t there. My teammate and friend, Kyle Marcelli, is out with an arm injury for this race. I’m super excited to share the car with Sandy Mitchell, factory driver for Lamborghini, and he is a great person, great friend and great driver, and I’m super excited and grateful for this opportunity to represent WTRAndretti in the No. 45 DEX Imaging Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 and try to get a top five result. It’s a difficult racetrack. We’re super excited to get going and get started and get higher in the championship standings. I think we’re seventh and the highest Lamborghini in the championship, so ready to get going and get the results. The team have been working extremely hard for us so excited and ready is an understatement.”

Sandy Mitchell: “I’m delighted to be back racing with the WTRAndretti team. I have amazing memories from racing with the team in the 2019 Super Trofeo championship and I look forward to working with everyone in the GTD program. I really enjoyed the test at Laguna Seca earlier this year which gave me a good feel for the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 and I feel will help going into this weekend. Danny is a super-fast teammate, and we will both be pushing for a top result at Road America. I know the track from my time in Super Trofeo and it’s one I really enjoyed so I’m excited to head back there in GTD.”

ABOUT WTRANDRETTI
Andretti Global and Wayne Taylor Racing announced a new, long-term partnership in 2023 that combines the resources of the two championship-caliber teams to compete in IMSA’s top classes. In 2024, Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti) has expanded to a two-car GTP program as well as competes in the GTD class. Coming off its 2023 championship winning effort, WTRAndretti continues its Driver Development Program competing in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series with a full stable.

WTRAndretti’s global motorsports enterprise boasts two IMSA driver championships (2013 and 2017), and back-to-back IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Championships (2020, 2021) which contributed to nine IMSA manufacturer championships for Acura, Pontiac, Corvette and Cadillac. In its brief 17-year history, WTRAndretti has accumulated multiple victories in sportscar racing’s most iconic events: Rolex 24 At Daytona, Twelve Hours of Sebring, Petit Le Mans, Mid-Ohio, Road America and the Six Hours of The Glen. With its back-to-back PRO Class Championship wins (2022, 2023), WTR also has ten North America Lamborghini Super Trofeo Championship titles and a Lamborghini World Finals title.

Andretti Global, a Championship-winning motorsports organization, competes in additional racing categories worldwide, including the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Extreme E, Australian Supercars and the Mexico SuperCopa Championship. Additionally, the racing enterprise commits to driver development through competition in INDY NXT by Firestone and through support of Sebastian and Oliver Wheldon’s racing careers.

WTRAndretti’s long term partnerships include Lamborghini Squadra Corse, DEX Imaging, Harrison Contracting Company and Gainbridge.

ST. CHARLES, Ill., (July 26, 2024) – AO Racing is proud to welcome Julien Andlauer to the driver’s seat of the No. 77 Porsche 911 GT3 Rawr to race alongside full-season driver Laurin Heinrich. Andlauer will step in for next week’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship round at Road America, August 2-4, as a result of Sebastian Priaulx’s departure from the No. 77 Porsche 911 GT3 Rawr.

“We are excited to welcome Julien to AO Racing for Road America,” said Team Principal Gunnar Jeannette. “We’ve raced against him in many championships across the globe and can’t wait to see what he can do with Roxy at our home race.”

The French Porsche Driver and former Porsche Junior Driver is a prominent name in the motorsport community, with wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the Asian Le Mans Series, and the European Le Mans Series. He is a championship-winning driver in both the Porsche Carrera Cup France (2017) and Porsche Carrera Cup Germany (2019).

With his extensive experience in motorsport and with Porsche, he will be a strong addition to AO Racing. AO currently leads the points in the team championship standings as well as the driver standings with Laurin Heinrich in the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD PRO categories.

“I’m super excited to be back in IMSA, and to join the AO Racing Team which has been very successful so far,” said Andlauer. “I’m really looking forward to jumping in the car and giving the maximum to give my best effort for the team to have a good chance for the championship. I don’t know Road America yet, but it looks to be an amazing track, and I hope it can suit our beautiful Roxy. I will fight well and look forward to being there and working with the entire team.”

About AO Racing

Founded in 2022 by PJ Hyett and Gunnar Jeannette, AO Racing has swiftly risen to prominence in the world of professional sports car racing. With an unwavering commitment to on-track excellence and fan engagement, AO Racing commands attention with its fun liveries and fan-friendly presence, becoming a dynamic force in the sport. Central to AO Racing’s success is its unique blend of performance and personality. The iconic liveries of “Rexy” and “Roxy,” the T-Rex Porsche 911 GT3 Rawrs and “Spike” the LMP2 Dragon have captivated fans worldwide, earning AO Racing a dedicated following. With a focus on making racing accessible and enjoyable for enthusiasts of all ages, AO Racing has become a beloved favorite among motorsport lovers. The team has a global footprint, with strong efforts in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Asian Le Mans Series, European Le Mans Series, and the FIA World Endurance Championship. With passion, precision, and a touch of flair, AO Racing is writing the next chapter in the annals of motorsport history.

ELKHART LAKE, Wis., July 24, 2024 – Road America is set to welcome back the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge from August 1-4, promising fans an exhilarating weekend of top-tier sports car racing. Adding to the excitement, this year’s event will feature the Mustang Challenge and the Porsche Carrera Cup, making it one of the most anticipated racing spectacles of the summer.

Last year, Road America witnessed its largest IMSA weekend crowd in over four decades. Fans enjoyed perfect weather, with blue skies and temperatures in the low 70s, creating the ideal backdrop for world-class racers to navigate the challenging 4-mile track. The 2023 event was highlighted by the No. 7 Penske Porsche, driven by Matt Campbell and Felipe Nasr, securing victory as the sixth different winner in just seven WeatherTech Championship races, underscoring the unpredictable and thrilling nature of IMSA racing at Road America.

As the 2024 event approaches, fans are encouraged to secure their tickets, golf carts, and camping spots early. Last year’s massive turnout is a testament to the event’s growing popularity, and this year is expected to draw even more attendees. Don’t miss out on the high-speed action and the chance to explore Road America’s picturesque grounds. Get your tickets now to be part of the excitement only Road America can deliver!

Throughout the weekend, fans will notice many improvements around the grounds, including scenic viewing trails inside and outside turns 9 and 10, the newly named ‘The Bluffs’ at Turn 11, and a new pathway to Turn 12, known as ‘Canada Corner.’ Additional amenities include a new restroom facility with showers, an RV waste transfer station at Turn 1, fresh artistic carvings, and upgrades to ‘The Mission Foods 2Fast2Tasty Beach’ near Turn 11.

Road America’s 2024 season is a breathtaking journey through motorsports history, competition, and excitement. Whether you’re a die-hard enthusiast or a casual spectator, Road America offers something extraordinary. Mark your calendars for this and other major events like the Fanatec GT World Challenge, the Ariens Art on Wheels Weekend featuring VSCDA, and the SCCA National Championship Runoffs. Plus, anyone 16 and under gets in FREE when accompanied by a paying adult at the gate. For full event dates, details and ticket information, visit www.roadamerica.com.

ST CHARLES, Ill., (July 24, 2024) — Effective immediately, AO Racing and Sebastian Priaulx will part ways for the remainder of the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. The change comes to allow the racer to focus on his growing commitments with Multimatic Motorsports.

Priaulx, who was a part of the team’s two wins this season, will step away from the No. 77 Porsche 911 GT3 R to focus on his long-term future with Multimatic. Increasing obligations and schedule conflicts have necessitated the transition sooner than expected, but the team remains focused on the GTD PRO championship as they lead the points headed into the final rounds of the season.

“All of us at AO Racing wish Seb the best and are thankful for the time Multimatic let him spend with us,” said Team Principal Gunnar Jeannette. “He has been a huge part of our team as we brought Rexy to life, and we are proud to have our early successes with him on the effort. We are working with Porsche to find a suitable driver to partner with Laurin for the remainder of the season.”

AO Racing remains focused on continuing their bid on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD PRO title and will announce the new driver lineup in the coming days before the next round at Road America, August 2-4.

About AO Racing

Founded in 2022 by PJ Hyett and Gunnar Jeannette, AO Racing has swiftly risen to prominence in the world of professional sports car racing. With an unwavering commitment to on-track excellence and fan engagement, AO Racing commands attention with its fun liveries and fan-friendly presence, becoming a dynamic force in the sport. Central to AO Racing’s success is its unique blend of performance and personality. The iconic liveries of “Rexy” and “Roxy,” the T-Rex Porsche 911 GT3 Rawrs and “Spike” the LMP2 Dragon have captivated fans worldwide, earning AO Racing a dedicated following. With a focus on making racing accessible and enjoyable for enthusiasts of all ages, AO Racing has become a beloved favorite among motorsport lovers. The team has a global footprint, with strong efforts in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Asian Le Mans Series, European Le Mans Series, and the FIA World Endurance Championship. With passion, precision, and a touch of flair, AO Racing is writing the next chapter in the annals of motorsport history.

ST. CHARLES, Ill., (June 16, 2024) – Roxy, the fierce but adorable T-Rex sister of Rexy, the Porsche 911 GT3 Rawr, will return to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship beginning with the IMSA SportsCar Weekend at Road America, August 2-4. While Rexy enjoys a summer vacation, his sister will take over for the next few rounds of the championship.

“Rexy has had a very successful move up to GTD PRO category and has been training and racing his little arms off, so we decided to give him a little R&R,” said Team Principal Gunnar Jeannette. “Roxy has been chomping at the bit for her first GTD PRO appearance to help her brother out with the 2024 championship. We know Roxy has a lot of fans, so we hope everyone will follow along closely for her reappearance in IMSA.”

Roxy first made her appearance last year in the GTD class at VIRginia International Raceway. She will again grace the Alton, Virginia circuit from August 23-25, marking her first race in the GTD PRO class with drivers Sebastian Priaulx and Laurin Heinrich. The pairing has already secured two wins and two additional podiums this season. While Rexy proudly displays two gold teeth for his victories, Roxy aims to earn her own golden accolades to enhance her winning smile.

In celebration of Roxy’s return to the IMSA WeatherTech Championship, AO Racing’s dino DNA scientists have been hard at work creating a batch of delightful Roxy plushies. The new plush toy is an incredibly accurate representation of the car, complete with the purple and blue nails seen on the T-Rex’s arms adorning the car doors.

Fans can see Roxy in person at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, from August 2-4 and at VIRginia International Raceway from August 23-25. The liveries for the remaining two races of the season are yet to be determined.

To shop for Roxy plushies and all AO team gear, visit aoracing.com/store.

About AO Racing

Founded in 2022 by PJ Hyett and Gunnar Jeannette, AO Racing has swiftly risen to prominence in the world of professional sports car racing. With an unwavering commitment to on-track excellence and fan engagement, AO Racing commands attention with its fun liveries and fan-friendly presence, becoming a dynamic force in the sport. Central to AO Racing’s success is its unique blend of performance and personality. The iconic liveries of “Rexy” and “Roxy,” the T-Rex Porsche 911 GT3 Rawrs and “Spike” the LMP2 Dragon have captivated fans worldwide, earning AO Racing a dedicated following. With a focus on making racing accessible and enjoyable for enthusiasts of all ages, AO Racing has become a beloved favorite among motorsport lovers. The team has a global footprint, with strong efforts in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Asian Le Mans Series, European Le Mans Series, and the FIA World Endurance Championship. With passion, precision, and a touch of flair, AO Racing is writing the next chapter in the annals of motorsport history.