From Autoweek · Jonathan Ingram · · 1m 50s
Porsche Wins Petit Le Mans in Chaotic IMSA Season Finale
Porsche 963 triumphs in record-breaking IMSA finale after team conflict and 17 yellows.
In brief
Porsche 963 triumphs in record-breaking IMSA finale after team conflict and 17 yellows. Porsche 963 wins IMSA WeatherTech Championship with Cadillac taking GTP title after chaotic season finale. Originally reported by Autoweek.
Porsche 963 Wins
The Porsche 963 driven by Laurens Vanthoor, Kevin Estre and Matt Campbell claimed victory at Petit Le Mans after a chaotic season finale.
“The winners claimed their first triumph in a controversial season, including an internal team conflict at Porsche Penske Motorsport during Sebring’s 12-hour that cost them a win.”
Team Conflict and Probation
Porsche Penske Motorsport faced internal team conflict during Sebring’s 12-hour race, and Estre received probation for taking off the Cadillac of Action Express Racing.
“At Road America, Estre was put on probation for taking off the Cadillac of Action Express Racing in the closing minutes.”
Record Chaos
The race featured 17 full course yellows, rain, lightning delays, and multiple crashes that interrupted the 10-hour event.
“The fans at the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta could be forgiven for a sigh of relief at the checkered flag, too. They saw a crash-marred 10-hour race full of contact that was interrupted by a record 17 full course yellows, rain and a red flag for a lightning delay.”
Porsche 963 Victory
The No. 6 Porsche finished 1.205 seconds ahead of the BMW M Hybrid V8 after a late caution bunched the field.
“The No. 6 Porsche finished 1.205 seconds in front of the BMW M Hybrid V8 of Dries Vanthoor, Sheldon van der Linde and Robin Frijns of WRT after a late caution bunched the field in the season finale of the IMSA WeatherTech Championship.”
Cadillac GTP Championship
Cadillac Racing ruled the GTP championship with Jack Aitken clinching the driving title after beating Laurin Heinrich in qualifying.
“Cadillac Racing ruled the championship roost in GTP from the drop of the green. Jack Aitken clinched the driving title after besting title rival Laurin Heinrich in qualifying.”
Acura Incident
Acura’s No. 93 entry crashed after hitting ARX-06 driver Colin Braun in Turn 10, followed by a spin in Turn 12 with Nick Yelloly.
“Driver Renger van der Zande and his No. 93 entry hit fellow ARX-06 driver Colin Braun in Turn 10 with nearly half the race remaining and was given a drive-thru penalty.”
LMP2 Championship
Alex Quinn secured the LMP2 championship with a final stint after a cut tire, beating Tom Dillmann by 0.666 seconds.
“Alex Quinn drove a superb final stint after suffering a cut tire to bring Crowdstrike Racing the class victory and the LMP2 championship, which he shared with team owner and bronze driver George Kurtz.”
Aston Martin Wins GTD Pro
Mattia Drudi won the GTD Pro class by 1.507 seconds over the Porsche 911 GT3 R after a late-race attack.
“Mattia Drudi drove the final stint in the Car Blanche team’s Aston Martin Vantage Evo to win the GTD Pro class by 1.507 seconds over the Porsche 911 GT3 R of AO Racing.”
BMW Clinches Championship
BMW M4 GT3 EVO drivers Neil Verhagen and Connor De Phillippi won the IMSA championship after a strategic pit stop.
“Neil Verhagen and Connor De Phillippi, drivers of the No. 1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, finished third with Dan Harper.”
Porsche 911 GT3 R
The No. 912 Porsche 911 GT3 R trailed the winner by 0.733 seconds after a late-race attack.
“The No. 912 Porsche 911 GT3 R driven by the Manthey Racing crew of Ryan Hardwick, Riccardo Pera and Morris Schuring were the runners-up, trailing by 0.733 seconds.”
Championship Consequences
BMW’s strategic pit stop put them seven positions ahead of the No. 4 Corvette before a late-race attack.
“A fuel-saving pit strategy by the Paul Miller Racing team put the No. 1 car seven positions in front of the No. 4 Corvette of Catsburg, Tom Milner and Nico Varrone before a restart.”
The bottom line
Porsche 963 wins IMSA WeatherTech Championship with Cadillac taking GTP title after chaotic season finale.
