Category: IMSA

International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) news and information

  • CORVETTE RACING AT DETROIT: Corvettes Qualify 1-2… Again!

    CORVETTE RACING AT DETROIT: Corvettes Qualify 1-2… Again!

    Garcia puts No. 3 Z06 GT3.R on class pole with Milner second in shadow of GM RenCen

    DETROIT (May 31, 2024) – Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports will roll off 1-2 in class for the hometown race for the team and Chevrolet after Friday’s 15-minute qualifying session for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Classic.

    Antonio Garcia captured pole position in the GTD PRO class in the No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R with a lap of 1:09.092 (85.711 mph) around the 1.654-mile, nine-turn street circuit in downtown Detroit. He was 0.336 seconds clear of teammate Tommy Milner in the No. 4 Corvette.

    It’s the second consecutive pole position in IMSA competition for the Z06 GT3.R following a pole for Nicky Catsburg – Milner’s teammate – earlier this month at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The pair of yellow GTD PRO Corvettes also started first and second at Laguna Seca with Milner and Catsburg going on to finish third in class for the Corvette Z06 GT3.R’s first podium.

    “Congratulations to Antonio Garcia on his pole-winning lap in GTD PRO with the No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R on the streets of Detroit – the second consecutive pole position for our new Corvette GT3 entry in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship,” said Scott Bell, Vice President, Global Chevrolet. “Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports continues to show the performance capabilities of the Z06 GT3.R, which is a testament to the work of the team, and our Chevrolet and GM engineering groups.”

    Pre-race work at Chevrolet’s Driver-in-the-Loop simulator paid immediate dividends in each of Friday’s two practice sessions. Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports engineers leaned on the learnings of Chevrolet’s NTT INDYCAR program to help establish a baseline for a handful of sessions on Chevy’s Driver in the Loop simulator.

    That helped with the results in pre-qualifying running. Alexander Sims, who shares the No. 3 Corvette with Garcia, went fastest in GTD PRO during the opening 90-minute session. Milner paced the two-hour afternoon practice in the field’s final track time before qualifying.

    The Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Classic is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 1. The race will air live on USA Network with full streaming coverage also on Peacock. IMSA Radio will air the race at IMSA.com along XM 206, SiriusXM Online 996.

    CORVETTE RACING BY PRATT MILLER MOTORSPORTS QUALIFYING DRIVER QUOTES

    ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R – GTD PRO POLE-WINNER: “I think it’s great. That’s the first goal we had – to get as soon as possible up front. So having another Corvette one-two really helps with that. It’s nice to have two yellow Corvettes up front around these buildings. It means the whole team is running really, really good. We just need to keep everything together. Let’s hope it’s not like Laguna where we went from up there to somewhere else. So we just need to be cautious and we need to stay on track, for sure. There’s probably going to be some yellows, too. We just need to be smart. That’s it.”

    Controlling the race from up front: “In a place like this, where it’s almost impossible to pass, it’s really good to have track position, for sure. But now we get to the point where maybe a ton of people roll the dice and maybe the whole thing changes. We’ve seen these things at these kinds of race tracks many, many times. The fastest race car doesn’t always win. We just need to play smart and that’s all we can do. If everything falls as it should, I think it would be great to have a Corvette one-two around the RenCen.”

    TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R – QUALIFIED SECOND IN GTD PRO: “I’m definitely happy. I would like to have been P1, but I just didn’t put the laps together. I’m curious to see what the best sectors would have been. I don’t think I had quite enough for pole with Antonio going fast again on his last lap. But overall I’m happy. It’s great to be here in Detroit, in the shadow of the RenCen and having both Corvettes on the front row it’s great. That’s the first part of the job done. The second part is to go win this thing tomorrow. We have two really great cars. The guys are working really hard and well right now. As long as we do our job tomorrow we should be in a good position.”

    Race outlook: “It will be a challenge, no question about it. With the Lexus and the Porsche behind us, both those cars and guys are quick, obviously. Some are more aggressive than others. Passing is hard here so we’ll have to be prepared for how they normally race and be prepared to race as hard as they normally do.”

    Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

    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.

  • WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06 GTP Teams Earn Top Five Starting Positions for Detroit Grand Prix

    WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06 GTP Teams Earn Top Five Starting Positions for Detroit Grand Prix

    DETROIT, Michigan (May 31, 2024) — The Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti) Acura ARX-06 GTP teams battled through the streets of downtown Detroit in an effort to set the grid for Saturday’s Detroit Grand Prix. With a split strategy amongst the ten GTP entrants, both WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06s elected to stay out on track for the entirety of the 15-minute qualifying session. Wheeling around the bumpy, 1.645-mile street circuit, Filipe Albuquerque displayed impressive lap times, contending the top three positions before a red flag for a car stopped in the middle of the track with under five minutes remaining placed the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 fourth on the starting grid. Much of the same was for Jordan Taylor and the No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06 crew as they competed alongside their No. 10 teammates for the top qualifying spots and encountered the same late session red flag track blockage to earn a fifth place starting position.

    The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTP teams will see the green flag fly for the 100-minute sprint race from the downtown streets of Detroit at 3:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 1. USA Network will serve host to the Detroit Grand Prix with the broadcast beginning at 3 p.m. ET.

    TOP FIVE GTP STARTING GRID

    1. No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsports (Porsche 963) N. Tandy, M. Jaminet (90.564 mph)
    2. No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsports (Porsche 963) D. Cameron, F. Nasr (90.392 mph)
    3. No. 01 Cadillac Racing (Cadillac V-Series.R) R. van der Zande, S. Bourdais (90.052 mph)
    4. No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 (Acura ARX-06) R. Taylor, F. Albuquerque (90.045 mph)
    5. No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06 (Acura ARX-06) J. Taylor, L. Delétraz (89.725 mph)

    Filipe Albuquerque, No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06: “It’s always fun to qualify on a street course; going close to the walls, taking so much risk, one little mistake will cause a red which in the end can happen. The No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 car was okay, I think we were running consistently improved laps in the top three. Unfortunately, my last lap was P2 and the lap after that was improving, but then we got the red flag and I couldn’t finish that lap. I thought I was P2, but they improved because they were able to finish their lap and I dropped down to P4. It’s a bit frustrating, but it is what it is. Everyone is so good, and the field is so competitive. We are still lining up in the second row; it’s decent, obviously I wanted more – especially when we were so close. Tomorrow it’s a different day. I think tomorrow is going to be wild in GTs and overtaking GTs. They go fast and when they are battling, there is no place for three cars here. It’s going to be curious to see the race, so just stay put, because even we are looking forward to how it going to happen. As you can see if a car spins, no one can pass, so it’ll be interesting.”

    Jordan Taylor, No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06: “We made some ground from practice, we were a little bit off I think and made some good changes to the car. I think we’re in the hunt and in the battle for the race with the No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06. It’s going to be a difficult track to pass on, so obviously the higher up you start, the better. But it’s going to be about execution in the pits with it being a one-stop race. We will work on our driver change a little, it could come down to a fast driver change, but I think we have good team around us in WTRAndretti to execute in the pits. If we need to jump a couple spots, that may be the place to do it. Starting where we are, that’s better than we expected coming out of practice.”

    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.

  • CORVETTE RACING AT DETROIT: Home Sweet Home

    CORVETTE RACING AT DETROIT: Home Sweet Home

    First event on downtown streets of Detroit for GTD PRO squad, Corvette Z06 GT3.R

    DETROIT (May 28, 2024) – Chevrolet and Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports are in their own backyard this week for the Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Classic – the first appearance in the Motor City for the program since 2021.

    The pair of yellow Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs are part of an 11-car field in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GTD PRO class. Tommy Milner and Nicky Catsburg will team in the No. 4 Corvette and are coming off the first podium finish for the Z06 GT3.R in the last GTD PRO race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

    Of note, Milner also was part of the Corvette’s first victory – two weeks ago at Circuit of The Americas for DXDT Racing in GT World Challenge America. Not to be outdone, Catsburg drove the Z06 GT3.R to its first IMSA pole at Laguna Seca.

    In the No. 3 Corvette, Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims sit fifth in GTD PRO points and just ahead of their teammates. The pair was in prime position to contend at Laguna Seca before an ill-fated safety car that came out on Garcia’s in-lap barely an hour into the race.

    Milner and Garcia are the only Corvette drivers who have contested Detroit, albeit on the Belle Isle circuit. They were part of a non-points GT Le Mans race in which the Corvette Racing factory team brought two Corvette C8.Rs to the island. Before that, and owing to the closeness of the Detroit race and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Corvette team’s two other appearances on Belle Isle came in 2007 and 2008 as part of the GT1 class.

    The downtown Detroit circuit, which runs around the Renaissance Center and the global headquarters of General Motors, is the shortest on the calendar at nine turns and 1.654 miles around. Neither GTD PRO nor the GTP categories raced at Detroit last year (it was the same weekend as the Le Mans Test Day), so very few drivers in the field have any experience at the circuit.

    To help the team prepare, Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports engineers leaned on the learnings of Chevrolet’s NTT INDYCAR program to help establish a baseline for a handful of sessions on Chevy’s Driver in the Loop simulator. That should allow the Corvette team to roll right into its setup program to be in the best possible position for Friday’s qualifying and Saturday’s race.

    The Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Classic is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 1. The race will air live on USA Network with full streaming coverage also on Peacock. IMSA Radio will air all on-track sessions at IMSA.com along XM 206, SiriusXM Online 996.

    CORVETTE RACING BY PRATT MILLER MOTORSPORTS

    PRE-EVENT DRIVER QUOTES

    ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “We want to do well in Detroit. For sure the target is to win. We are running around the RenCen, so obviously it will be very important if we can win there. So I’m looking forward to it It’s a new track for me and most of the other drivers. I had a chance to do a few laps in the simulator and it looks very stressful. But I’m sure it will bring a lot of action and tight racing. I don’t know the weather is going to be, but it will be good to our own street race because I did miss racing at Long Beach this year. So I am looking forward to getting back to a street track.”

    ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “We did an initial run on the simulator some time ago – just to get a read on it and check to see if the track model was working and behaving itself. The Corvette felt reasonably sensible around there. It’s definitely a very bumpy circuit, as you would expect with a street track. A bit of undulation, couple of rises and slightly blind corners. It’s a busy little track and not a huge amount of speed anywhere outside the long straight. Overtaking will be pretty tough. It’s going to be pretty crazy with the GTPs. I’ve not been to Detroit before and didn’t do the previous Detroit races. It will be a cool thing for all of us. It will be nice to be there and to have a completely new experiences. Some of those are few and far between for me, so I’m looking forward to it.”

    TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’ve driven in it in person in a rental car and some sim work also. It’s exciting to be in the downtown part of Detroit. Racing in the shadow of the RenCen is very cool. It’s going to be a challenging race track, for sure. It’s short but like any street track, there are a lot of places where you can get yourself in trouble. It’ll be a lot to learn as it’s a basically a new track for everybody. As with any street tracks we’ve done in the past, it’s great to be in the city and on top of everything that is happening around the race. Detroit does some unique things with free viewing areas for fans, which is something you don’t see anywhere in the world. I’m excited to go back to Detroit.”

    NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I raced at Belle Isle in a Lamborghini in World Challenge many years ago. It was a cool track then. This is a home race for the team, so it makes it extra cool to go to. Some families of the crew will be out, and we’ll have some things to do around the race as well. The added pressure of it being a home race will for sure make it a very tough event. In IMSA, the practice times are always quite limited. On a street course, that makes it extra hard. It’s hard to explore the limits there. On other tracks you can go over the limit and dial it back a little bit, and then you’ve found your speed quickly. Hopefully it will be a weekend of more positive results for the Corvette.”

    2024 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Points

    GTD PRO Drivers Standings

    1. Laurin Heinrich/Seb Priaulx – 981
    2. Ben Barnicoat/Jack Hawksworth – 925
    3. Bryan Sellers/Madison Snow – 888
    4. Mario Farnbacher/Ross Gunn – 867
    5. Alexander Sims/Antonio Garcia – 812
    6. Nicky Catsburg/Tommy Milner – 808

    GTD PRO Teams Standings

    1. No. 77 AO Racing – 981
    2. No. 14 Vasser Sullivan – 925
    3. No. 1 Paul Miller Racing – 888
    4. No. 23 Heart of Racing Team – 867
    5. No. 3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports – 812
    6. No. 4 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports – 808

    GTD PRO Manufacturers Standings

    1. Porsche – 1003
    2. Lexus – 947
    3. Aston Martin – 880
    4. Chevrolet – 877
    5. McLaren – 851

    GTD Drivers Standings

    1. Philip Ellis/Russell Ward – 1367
    2. Patrick Gallagher/Robby Foley – 1154
    3. Adam Adelson/Elliott Skeer – 1059
    4. Parker Thompson – 1038
    5. Mikael Grenier/Mike Skeen – 1033
    6. Matthew Bell/Orey Fidani – 830

    GTD Teams Standings

    1. No. 57 Windward Racing – 1367
    2. No. 96 Turner Motorsport – 1154
    3. No. 120 Wright Motorsports – 1059
    4. No. 32 Korthoff/Preston Motorsport – 1033
    5. No. 43 Andretti Motorsports – 952
    6. No. 13 AWA – 830

    GTD Manufacturers Standings

    1. Mercedes-AMG – 1457
    2. Porsche – 1208
    3. Lamborghini – 1199
    4. Lexus – 1178
    5. Aston Martin – 1059
    6. Chevrolet – 1026

    CORVETTE RACING BY THE NUMBERS: Detroit

    • 2: Generations of Corvette Racing entries at Detroit – Corvette C6.R (2007-08) and Corvette C8.R/Z06 GT3.R (2020-present)
    • 3: Wins in Detroit for Corvette Racing in as many starts – 2007 and 2008 in GT1, and 2021 in GTLM (although it was a non-points event)
    • 8: Victories at Detroit for Chevrolet in IMSA competition. In addition to three wins for Corvette Racing, Corvette Daytona Prototypes won overall each year on Belle Isle from 2012-2016
    • 14: Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001.
    • 27: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Daytona, Detroit, Houston, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portimão, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen
    • 48: Number of drivers in Corvette Racing entries since 1999 – DXDT Racing’s Alec Udell being the latest in GT World Challenge America at Circuit of The Americas
    • 71: Years since Corvette was introduced to the world on Jan. 17, 1953 in New York City. A total of 300 cars were produced that year
    • 197: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 115 in North America, nine at Le Mans, three in the FIA WEC and two in GT World Challenge America
    • 293: Event starts by Corvette Racing since 1999
    • 378,689.70: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing entries since 1999. To put that in perspective, Corvette Racing is more than halfway to the distance traveled by Apollo 13 – the longest manned spaceflight in history: 622,268 miles

    Corvette Racing at Detroit (all previously on Belle Isle)

    2007

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

    No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Olivier Beretta – 2nd in GT1

    2008

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

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

    2021 (unofficial race)

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

    No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy – 1st in GTLM

    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.

  • WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06 GTP Teams Take on the Streets of Detroit

    WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06 GTP Teams Take on the Streets of Detroit

    DETROIT, Michigan (May 28, 2024) – The Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti) pair of Acura ARX-06 GTPs return to Detroit, this time marking the GTP debut on the streets of downtown. The WTRAndretti team found success when the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship previously drove in the Detroit area, capturing four victories (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) over the 10-year stint at the Belle Isle street circuit. For the Detroit Grand Prix, the 1.645-mile, nine-turn street circuit presents a new challenge and equalizing factor for the entire GTP field over the course of the season’s second 100-minute sprint race.

    Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque head to Detroit ready to use the new track and their experience in the simulator as a refreshed approach for the second half of the season. Following a solid result of sixth at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, the drivers of the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 are hoping their previous luck in Detroit is resurfaced come this weekend.

    In the No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06, Jordan Taylor and Louis Delétraz will try their hand again for a street course sprint race. After the pair collected a top-five finish at Laguna Seca, both Taylor and Delétraz are keen to regain their early season momentum and collect key championship points.
    On-track action for the WTRAndretti team will begin on Friday, May 31, with the first GTP practice on the streets of Detroit at 8 a.m. ET, with qualifying to follow at 5:05 p.m. ET. The 100-minute Detroit Grand Prix will go green at 3:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 1, on USA Network.
    Wayne Taylor, Team Principal, WTRAndretti: “Obviously, everybody at WTRAndretti is working hard and Detroit is going to be a completely new experience, given that we’ve never driven on this circuit before. We’ve got to make sure that we can get the cars up to speed quickly and see if we can make the car competitive.”

    No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 GTP Drivers
    Ricky Taylor: “We are very lucky to be a part of a program and to grow up in an era with such great simulation technology where the track scans are so precise that we can learn tracks without even going to them. We have a sim test planned before the weekend where all four drivers will have a chance to drive the track in our Acura ARX-06 racecar. Besides that, watching lots of race footage from IndyCar and getting as much info about the track as we can. The track looks very unique and challenging, lots of details on track that are very different from anywhere else we go so it will be a challenge for all of the teams. Getting up to speed quickly will be key, in these short weekends every detail matters. Having a good practice sets you up for a good qualifying which sets you up for a very short race where everything is under the microscope. Our Andretti IndyCar teammates have been very supportive in our few conversations but as we get close to the event, I think we plan on leaning on them heavily to help us get up to speed.”

    Filipe Albuquerque: “I’m looking forward to Detroit, it’s a new venue for everybody. Curious to see what the track will be like. I think it’s going to be hard to replace Belle Isle – I mean it was one of my favorite tracks in IMSA. The pitstops during the race are going to be very interesting, so look forward to a new challenge. We’ll reset and we go again, always focused to go for it, a podium for sure, and obviously for the win.”

    No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06 GTP Drivers
    Louis Delétraz: “Detroit will be interesting as no one has ever driven there with GTP cars. We have driven on the HRC simulator to prepare for the event, but obviously it’s harder to prepare when there is so many new factors. Street tracks are always exciting and with all the hard work of everyone at WTRAndretti and HRC, I have good hope the No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06 will be fast. Let’s race!”

    Jordan Taylor: “It’s been a while since we’ve gone to a new track, so it’s been a fun challenge! These days learning a track is quite different. We have lots of onboard footage to look at from IndyCar last year and the biggest enhancement these days is the simulator. That’ll be the biggest help for us with learning the track. It looks like it’s going to be a challenging race. Watching the IndyCar race last year, things look very tight and intense. I think when we have multi-class racing out there, it should make for a pretty exciting race. We had a strong weekend at Laguna Seca from an execution point of view, and I think that’s going to be a big part of being successful at Detroit, so I’m excited to get going.”

    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 at Detroit: Returning home on a roll

    Cadillac at Detroit: Returning home on a roll

    Cadillac Racing has finished first or second in all four IMSA GTP races

    DETROIT (May 28, 2024) – History 101: A Cadillac DPi won four of the five races and placed second in the other at Detroit (Belle Isle) since joining IMSA prototype competition in 2017. There was no race in 2020 because of the pandemic and no IMSA prototype class race in 2023 in the city.

    History 102: Renger van der Zande co-drove to victory in 2022 and 2021 with Cadillac Racing at Belle Isle after starting from the pole position.

    History 103: The Cadillac Motor Car Co. was named after French explorer Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, who founded Detroit in 1701.

    Cadillac in four IMSA GTP races: 5
    First- or scond-place finishes 4
    Earned poles 3
    Front-row qualifying sweeps 2
    Track-record qualifying lap times 1

    Recent history: Cadillac is the lone Grand Touring Prototype manufacturer to finish first or second in all four IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship races this season, has earned the pole in every race, including a front row sweep in three events, and has recorded the fastest race lap three times.

    Cadillac Racing’s No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R and No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R head into their home race on a roll.

    Now for something new: The IMSA hybrid GTP cars will compete on the 1.654-mile, nine-turn street circuit in the shadow of the Renaissance Center instead of the 2.3-mile street circuit on nearby Belle Isle.

    The circuit, comprised chiefly of 90-degree turns with a short frontstretch, should highlight the quickness, agility and cornering power of the Cadillac V-Series.R.

    “It’s a new track for everybody so it’s a level playing field and that’s quite exciting,” Aitken said. “I’ve had a couple of new tracks in the past few weeks with Long Beach and Laguna Seca, both of which I think I got up to speed quickly. Going to somewhere that is new for everybody will swing favor in our direction.”

    The Cadillac GTP entries will pit on driver’s right for their scheduled lone service and driver change on the split pit lane.

    The 100-minute Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Classic on Saturday, June 1, marks the second short race on the IMSA calendar. The No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R driven by Sebastien Bourdais and van der Zande won the first in April at Long Beach after starting second to the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R driven by Pipo Derani and Jack Aitken, who were the runners-up.

    “The Cadillac V-Series.R has been the car to beat in IMSA, so I’m sure it will be competitive there as well,” said van der Zande, who at Long Beach extended his streak of at least one victory in each of his 11 IMSA seasons. “It’s a home track for GM, which makes it special for us as Cadillac Racing drivers to see if we can perform to the maximum and win the race.”

    Cadillac, the reigning and four-time IMSA prototype class (DPi/GTP) Manufacturer Champion, leads the GTP standings.

    USA will telecast the race starting at 3 p.m. ET Saturday, June 1. Peacock will provide flag-to-flag streaming of the race along with qualifications at 4:35 p.m. Friday, May 31, in the U.S. while IMSA.TV will have coverage outside the U.S. IMSA Radio (IMSA.com), RadioLeMans.com will broadcast every session. SiriusXM live race coverage will be available at XM 206, SiriusXM Web/App 996.

    ‘No Perfect Formula’ premiere

    A documentary that follows the development of the Cadillac V-Series.R and its 2023 IMSA and WEC competition premieres at 7 p.m. ET Friday on Hagerty Channel 2545 on Samsung TV Plus. Also available on Hagerty’s Facebook page.

    Cadillac display at Hart Plaza

    See the exciting lineup of Cadillac passenger vehicles, including the CT5-V Blackwing, at the Hart Plaza display. Hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

    What they’re saying

    No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R

    Sebastien Bourdais: “The circuit is all-new for everybody and looks challenging going from fairly wide to very narrow places. Some places have been repaved, so we’ll have to see where the bumps are. Quite a bit to figure out and always a bit tricky schedule with the short format, so there will be a need to get as comfortable as possible quickly on a technical track. Every corner is a first gear corner and will be difficult to manage braking with our big, heavy cars to make sure you don’t lock up and at the same time get the tires energized and ready to go. Detroit has been good for me over the years and I’m looking forward to our Cadillac 01 to do well at its home race. We’ve proved that we can get things done and we have a far better understanding on how to get there, so the whole group is pumped. It’s high intensity right now on the heels of Laguna and going to Detroit and straight to Le Mans. I’m looking forward to it.”

    Renger van der Zande: “I won in Detroit in Cadillac DPi – once with Sebastien (Bourdais) and once with Kevin (Magnussen) and I also won in LMPC there, so it’s been fa fantastic place for me. But, obviously, we’re on a different track now. Exciting to be on a track that we don’t know, exciting to see what the track will bring. We have wide cars and the track is narrow, so we’ll need to see how things develop and see what works on the setup. The Cadillac V-Series.R has been the car to beat in IMSA, so I’m sure it will be competitive there as well. It’s a home track for GM, which makes it special for us as Cadillac Racing drivers to see if we can perform to the maximum and win the race.”

    No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R

    Pipo Derani: “Quite honestly, I am sad we are not racing at Belle Isle anymore. Despite that, it is always great to race at GM’s home and feel the extra energy that it brings. We will be hoping to continue our strong form into this very important weekend as we seek to defend our championship. I’m looking forward to challenging for the race win with the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R.”

    Jack Aitken: “So far, the season has been great. We’re showing a lot of consistency, which is one of the things we wanted to work on from last year with it being such a crazy first year of the GTP cars, and we do think it’s going to be quite important in the title defense. So, with three second places and being in the hunt at Sebring before the accident as well I think we really have carried through on that goal. Of course, it is a bit frustrating to not have that first win up on the board, but I’m sure we will be able to solve that in the coming weeks. We’re continuously putting ourselves in the right place, we have a fast car and it’s been bad luck and a few mistakes that have held us back. It would be fantastic to get that win in Detroit in our home race. It’s a new track for everybody so it’s a level playing field and that’s quite exciting. I’ve had a couple of new tracks in the past few weeks with Long Beach and Laguna Seca, both of which I think I got up to speed quickly. Going to somewhere that is new for everybody will swing favor in our direction.”

  • Wright Motorsports, Dempsey, and Long Reunite for Porsche Endurance Challenge North America

    Wright Motorsports, Dempsey, and Long Reunite for Porsche Endurance Challenge North America

    BATAVIA, OH., (May 20, 2024) – Wright Motorsports and Patrick Dempsey have joined forces again with the announcement of the actor and driver’s return to sports car racing competition. The duo has reunited to compete in the Porsche Endurance Challenge North America, a four-race championship for Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and GT4 entrants. Racing the No. 98 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, Dempsey will be mentored by former Porsche works, Wright Motorsports driver, and co-driver Patrick Long. Dempsey-Wright Motorsports will proudly partner with longtime Porsche partner Mobil 1, paying homage to a 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning GT1 car adorned with the branding of the motor oil company. The first event of the season will take place next weekend at Circuit of The Americas, a fitting site for Memorial Day weekend.

    “Racing is like an addiction,” said Dempsey. “Once you start, it’s hard to stop. During pre-production on the recent Ferrari film, I got a lot of seat time and fell off the wagon, of sorts. Having an opportunity to get back with John Wright and his team, I realized how much I was missing the culture and really wanted to get back in. I really enjoy the camaraderie.”

    Both Dempsey and Long have each stepped back from professional racing in recent years to expansive roles as Porsche Motorsport ambassadors. Dempsey’s return to competition with Long at his side will be a welcome reunion for the Wright group.

    Dempsey’s interest in racing dates back to his childhood. The actor began actively pursuing his dream of becoming a professional race car driver with amateur racing and gradually progressed to higher levels of competition. Dempsey’s racing career saw considerable success, achieving podium finishes at prestigious events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2015), the 24 Hours At Daytona (2011, 2015), and Petit Le Mans (2013, 2014). He eventually reached the dream driving alongside Patrick Long and for longtime Porsche team Wright Motorsports. He and Long raced together under various banners from 2013 to 2015, and celebrated a win in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Six Hours of Fuji in 2015.

    Feeling the pull to return to competition, Dempsey conducted a private test with Wright Motorsports in 2023. His longstanding relationship and record of success with Wright Motorsports, a team that has solely raced Porsches since its inception in 2020, along with its impeccable record and decades of knowledge make the team the prime choice for this new effort in the Porsche Endurance Challenge North America. This new series offers the perfect opportunity for Dempsey to get back in the racing waters, with the right blend of competition and fun for Porsche enthusiasts.

    In its inaugural season, the Porsche Endurance Challenge is a four-round, one-make championship that will host three 60-minute races at Circuit of The Americas, Sonoma Raceway and Road America, culminating the season finale at Circuit of The Americas in a six-hour spectacle of competition. In the 60-minute races, is not required for each entry to have two drivers, it remains possible for Dempsey to be joined by another driver in the first three rounds. The season-ending six-hour race will require a co-driver, with Long potentially eyeing the opportunity to join his former co-driver back behind the wheel.

    Dempsey will also race in the Porsche Sprint Challenge events that are scheduled on the same weekends, racing a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport. These shorter, single-driver Sprint Challenge events are 40-minutes plus one-lap long races offering five different classes of competition, visiting some of North America’s favorite road courses.

    For event information, visit wrightmotorsports.com or porschesprint.com.

    Event Schedule

    Round One | Circuit of the Americas

    Austin, Texas

    May 26, 2024

    Round 2 | Road America

    Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

    August 11, 2024

    Round 3 | Sonoma Raceway

    Sonoma, California

    September 29, 2024

    Round 4 | Circuit of the Americas

    Austin, Texas

    November 22-23

    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.

  • RECAP: Wright Motorsports Porsche Squad Keeps Podium Streak Alive in Austin Heat

    RECAP: Wright Motorsports Porsche Squad Keeps Podium Streak Alive in Austin Heat

    AUSTIN, Tex., (May 19, 2024) – Amid hot and humid weather conditions at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, Wright Motorsports continued their podium streak in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America series, earning their sixth podium finish in six races. This made it a successful weekend for the Porsche team, strengthening their standing as the championship points leaders with Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer behind the wheel of the No. 120 Porsche 911 GT3 R race car.

    “The heat in Texas really tested the entire paddock this weekend,” said Team Owner John Wright. “As always, the men and women of Wright Motorsports put up with the hot conditions and delivered a strong points weekend. Adam and Elliott are having a great debut in the PRO class, and it’s a testament to them as drivers, as well as the team supporting them.”

    Race one of the two-race weekend started in the heat of the day on Saturday afternoon. Adelson took the green flag from fourth place intent on bringing the green and yellow machine to the mid-race driver change in the top-five. Turn one at COTA delivered its normal calamity, and the ripple effect of one car’s incident impacted the Wright Motorsports No. 120 Porsche, spinning Adelson out of his strong grid spot. He was able to continue and rejoined third in class. He regained some ground early, working his way through the Pro/Am field. He ended his stint in third place and pitted during the mandatory window to give the car over to Skeer. The No. 120 rejoined the race with a full load of fuel and new tires. Skeer immediately found himself engaged in a battle for second place with Varun Choksey and his BMW. The pair’s battle kept fans on the each of their seats, with tight and close racing happening at every turn. Just after Skeer made the pass to take the position, the Porsche suffered contact in the rear, and eventually lost its entire diffuser. Thankfully, the piece of downforce bodywork separated from the car, allowing Skeer to avoid an extra pit stop. He sailed to the finish line, and Wright Motorsports secured its fifth podium result of the season.

    With repairs made overnight by the Ohio-based race team, Skeer started race two from pole position in class – fourth overall – with the race start again coming at the hottest point of the day on Sunday afternoon. He had initial pressure from the No. 85 of Trent Hindman, but stayed ahead, continuing to lead the PRO class. Skeer pitted during the mandatory window, and Adelson joined the race in the lead with 38 minutes remaining. Up ahead, a pair of Pro/Am BMWs led the field, but their own back and forth battle allowed Adelson to reel them in. Pro driver Alec Udell also inched up to the leaders and had a good battle with Adelson for position. The Wright driver put up a strong fight, but in the end, finished a close second place to the far more experienced driver, making it a solid points gathering weekend for the team in the championship standings.

    With the weekend concluded, the series will have a 60-day break, resuming for Rounds 7 and 8 at VIRginia International Raceway, July 19-21.

    DRIVER QUOTES

    Adam Adelson

    The car was incredible. It was amazing to drive with the proper aero set up, not missing a diffuser or a broken front end. The team was perfect with the strategy. It plays a bigger part in the races than a lot of people think. We had some AC and drink bottle issues that made it really difficult for us, but I’m super happy with the way I drove. Elliott did an amazing job, and I couldn’t be more proud of the overall result. To even be able to fight Alec Udell is an awesome thing for me and I couldn’t be happier… well, I could be a little happier, but that’s asking a lot.

    Elliott Skeer

    All in all, it was a tough but rewarding weekend. Ultimately, we came out of the weekend strong. We thought the 911 GT3 R was going to be a strong car here. It definitely was, but we left a percent on the table and we’re going to be hungry to come back next time. We raced as well as we could. Today was a hot one in the car. I’m super proud of how Adam drove with Alec Udell and the other Pro drivers. He drove a fantastic stint. I can’t wait to get back in the air conditioning and enjoy a little bit of champagne with the team.

    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.

  • Southern Paley Motorsports Unveils Drivers for Mustang Challenge Lineup

    Southern Paley Motorsports Unveils Drivers for Mustang Challenge Lineup

    16 May 2024–After announcing its plan to enter the 2024 IMSA Mustang Challenge, Southern Paley Motorsports has revealed its driver lineup for the season opener at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and the following two rounds at Watkins Glen International. Experienced sportscar racers John Southern Jr. and Sam Paley will take turns on race duty behind the wheel as SPM prepares for its debut in the all-new Mustang series.

    With a varied background that includes driving, coaching and team management, Southern and Paley are looking to grow SPM’s IMSA Mustang Challenge program by jumping behind the wheel and running at the front.

    Southern (left) is a former Trans-Am TA2 Southern Cup Champion and Lamborghini-affiliated test driver with pole positions and podium finishes in ADAC GT4 Germany, DTM Trophy and ADAC GT Masters.

    “I’m very excited to be racing in the inaugural round of the Mustang Challenge,” Southern said. “It’s a great opportunity for us as a team to show what we are about in the paddock and to be a part of something great with Ford’s new championship. We have some great people onboard, and Mid-Ohio is a favorite of mine, so anticipation is through the roof.”

    After scoring numerous podiums in the F4 U.S. Championship, Paley (right) went on to become the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year with numerous podiums and pole positions. He is the team principal and managing director at TKG Motorsports which fields multiple cars in the Spec MX-5 Series.

    “I’m thoroughly looking forward to making my debut in the IMSA Mustang Challenge in the No. 26 Southern Paley Motorsports DarkHorse car at Watkins Glen,” Paley said. “The IMSA Mustang Challenge represents a fantastic platform for drivers to develop their careers, and for us, as a team, to grow our program. We have high aspirations for both Mid-Ohio and Watkins Glen, and we expect to be competing at the front. I cannot wait to get started with JP at Mid-Ohio.”

    The IMSA Mustang Challenge is a brand new, 10-race spec championship featuring the new Mustang® Dark Horse™ R. The series makes its debut at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, June 7 – 9, with two 45-minute races. Race One is scheduled for 2:20pm ET on Saturday, June 8, and Race 2 will take place Sunday, June 9, at 9:20am ET. Both races will be streamed live for free on the Ford Performance YouTube channel and IMSA.TV.

    For more information on Southern Paley Motorsports visit www.southernpaleymotorsports.com.

  • Wright Motorsports Charges Ahead to Austin for Circuit of the Americas Double Header

    Wright Motorsports Charges Ahead to Austin for Circuit of the Americas Double Header

    AUSTIN, Tex., (May 15, 2024) – With two first-place and two-second place finishes locked in after the first four races of the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS, Wright Motorsports enters the next two rounds as the points leaders in both the team and driver categories. Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer are on a roll this year, heading full steam ahead into rounds five and six at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas.

    “We have great momentum heading into Circuit of The Americas,” said Team Owner John Wright. “We’ve delivered to the best of our ability in the first four races and are heading to a track that we’ve had many successes at. It makes me proud to see Adam, Elliott, and the crew to flourish as they have this season, and we’re going to keep it up as we head into Austin.”

    With a 16-point lead over ST Racing, the young energetic duo of Adelson and Skeer have the advantage, with both their season and past successes on their side. In 2023, the pair swept the Austin, Texas weekend, taking both wins in the PRO/Am class. This year, they compete in the more advanced PRO class but have adjusted to the increased level of competition with ease. Sixteen cars are competing this weekend, showing an increase from the first two events in the 2024 season. The No. 120 Porsche 911 GT3 R will compete against other rivaling GT3 makes, such as the BMW M4 GT3, Corvette Z06 GT3.R, and Acura NSX GT3 EVO.

    The race weekend will again consist of two 90-minute races, with Adelson and Skeer splitting the drive time in each round. With a length of 3.436 miles, 20 turns and a steep uphill climb to Turn 1, Circuit of The Americas is a unique track on the GT World Challenge calendar. Purpose-built for Formula 1, the track has its own character and always delivers exciting race action.

    Both qualifying sessions and races are accessible for free to fans watching from home, streaming live on YouTube.com/GTWorld.

    DRIVER QUOTES

    Adam Adelson

    I’m super excited to be coming back to the place where I got my first-ever race win! COTA is a very special place to me because of that, and I feel like my affinity towards COTA has only grown since then. I love the dynamic nature of the track, with lots of flowy sections that are super unique. I’m also excited about the new additions to the Pro class. It’s going to be a challenge to get to the top step on the podium, but I know Wright Motorsports will give us the best possible chance of doing so.

    Elliott Skeer

    I can say that the feeling going into this weekend is optimistic for everyone at Wright Motorsports. We have seriously found our grove in 2024 and are ready to try and repeat the results we had here a year ago. Adam and I both love this track, and finally driving it in the newest generation [type 992] Porsche 911 GT3 R will be a fantastic experience.

    Event Schedule | All Times CDT

    Friday, May 17

    10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Practice 1

    3:05 PM – 4:05 PM Practice 2

    Saturday, May 18

    9:00 AM – 9:15 AM Qualifying 1

    9:20 AM – 9:35 AM Qualifying 2

    12:30 PM – 2:00 PM Race 1

    Sunday, May 19

    1:30 PM – 2:00 PM Open Grid Fan Walk

    2:15 PM – 3:45 PM Race 2

    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.

  • Winward Racing, Ward and Ellis Secure Third IMSA WeatherTech GT Daytona Race Victory in Year’s First Four Races with Late Pass for the Win Sunday at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

    Winward Racing, Ward and Ellis Secure Third IMSA WeatherTech GT Daytona Race Victory in Year’s First Four Races with Late Pass for the Win Sunday at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

    MONTEREY, California – Philip Ellis capitalized on the race leader’s late mistake with five minutes remaining to pull off a winning pass that secured the third IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GT Daytona (GTD) victory of the season for the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 team Sunday at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Ellis, co-driver Russell Ward and the No. 57 team secured the three wins in the span of the year’s first four races and leave Laguna Seca a season-high 213 points ahead of the second-place competitors, 1,367 – 1,154, in the GTD driver championship standings. Winward’s GTD team championship margin is even larger with a 308-point advantage in first, 1,367 – 1,059, while Sunday’s success also boosts Mercedes-AMG’s points lead in the GTD manufacturer championship standings to a season-high 249 points, 1,457 – 1,208.

    Winward’s previous victories were controlled and convincing wins in the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona in January and March’s 12 Hours of Sebring, but Sunday saw the Winward team on a different path to victory lane. Starting driver Ward qualified third and joined Ellis in rarely falling out of the top three throughout the two-hour and 40-minute race, but the No. 57 wasn’t the race pacesetter it was in sweeping the “36 Hours of Florida” at Daytona and Sebring.

    Winward led one lap mid-race as the GTD field filed through pit stops, but the only true race laps up front were the final five circuits after the race leader momentarily tangled with a GTP competitor in the infield section of the 2.238-mile Monterey circuit. Ellis pounced on the opportunity and crossed the finish line with a 3.458-second margin of victory to seal a win that was the result of great pit work, race strategy and Winward’s renewed commitment to avoid mistakes this season.

    Winward’s victory highlighted a solid weekend for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing competitors at Laguna Seca. The No. 32 Korthoff Preston Motorsports entry of Mike Skeen and Mikael Grenier made it a pair of Mercedes-AMG GT3s in the GTD top four with a fourth place showing.

    The result followed the No. 32 team’s season-best third place finish last month at the Grand Prix of Long Beach, and Korthoff Preston and its drivers wrapped up this year’s two race California stretch with a pair of strong results and a renewed GTD championship campaign.

    Skeen and Grenier have cracked the top five in the GTD driver championship standings with 1,033 points while the No. 32 ranks third with the same number of points in the GTD team championship.

    Winward Racing also hit the podium in Saturday’s two-hour Michelin Pilot Challenge race with Russell Ward’s father Bryce Ward finishing third in the top-tier Grand Sport (GS) class with co-driver Daniel Morad in the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4.

    Opening driver Ward survived the frantic rush into Turn 1 at the race start to move into the top-10 in his opening-hour stint at the wheel. Morad took over for the final run to the finish, and after a well-executed pit stop by the Winward crew, rejoined the race just out of the top five.

    From there, Morad turned in another charge to the front, passing some of the other top drivers in the series and moving to third with just eight laps to go. Time ran out before Morad could track down the top two, but the podium showing was the team’s second victory lane appearance this season after securing runner-up honors in the season-opening race at Daytona.

    Ward, Morad and the No. 57 jumped from 11th to sixth in the GS driver and team championship standings, leaving Laguna Seca just 120 points out of first place with seven races remaining on the 2024 schedule.

    Mercedes-AMG Motorsport customer teams in the WeatherTech GTD championship compete next in the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, June 21 – 23, at Watkins Glen International in New York State. Competitors in Pilot Challenge are next in action as the headliner at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, June 7 – 9, in the year’s second and final four-hour race. Daytona was the year’s first four-hour contest.

    Russell Ward, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “It’s really awesome momentum from the group. In the morning before the recon laps we found a technical issue under the hood, and it was all hands-on deck, scrambling to change a part and pulling some major parts to get to it. We made it with a minute to spare, so another really awesome job by the guys to get that done right before the race. Really, just an amazing job by the team. The team is in really high spirits right now, we are going to keep that momentum going, keep everybody excited to be coming into work every day. We want to keep the streak going, the streak of finishes – not necessarily wins – but those are incredible, and we know we have a car that can win at every race track.”

    Philip Ellis, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “We were able to test at Laguna after Long Beach, so I would say we were sorted out a bit better than some of the other teams, but the conditions this weekend were so different that it was not like it was any huge benefit. The tire degradation on the old pavement that we thought would go away on the new surface came back, so we stuck with what we know, executed at our best and had other guys make mistakes for us. Team spirits are high, and that is the most important thing. If they don’t give us a good car and great pit stops, Russell and I can’t do a thing. Honestly, they make it easy for us to look good.”

    Mike Skeen, Driver – No. 32 Korthoff Preston Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3: “I think Laguna Seca was pretty good to us. We didn’t have a chance to test there ahead of time, and it was a little bit tricky finding what we needed in two practice sessions to kind of catch up to everybody else. We were pretty happy with where we ended up with the car, it was a super tight qualifying session, and we were right there as far as pace. I had a nice shift, getting by a couple of guys and moving us up into a podium position in the first stint. Then Mik did a good job and it looked for awhile like we might secure a podium position, but it was still a good points day. We moved up in the championship with the fourth place and I think overall we can be pretty happy.”

    Bryce Ward, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4: “Russell and Philip gave us some really good pointers on what to do and what not do after they tested here, so right out of the box the car was really quick. The engineers really nailed it, it was fantastic and our Mercedes-AMG GT4 was great. I saw a really great opening on the outside of Turn 1 at the start, but I didn’t figure there would be so many marbles and gravel there. I lost a bunch of places but then got my head in the game, got a rhythm going, made a couple of great passes and turned it over to Daniel. I am just so excited, it was such a great race, I am on top of the world. IMSA has done a great job this year in not over-managing the competition and performance to let us all just race on track and the competition has been great. Everybody seems to have an opportunity to win. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca also did a really good job getting the new pavement down. Everybody really, really enjoyed it, including us, so let’s give them a tip of the cap. It’s good to be out of Laguna Seca with a podium and looking forward. Onward and upward!”