IMSA WeatherTech Series Finale Notes & Results
BRASELTON, Ga. – There were two major turning points in the three-way battle for the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class title in the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Saturday during the 26th annual Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
A trio of protagonists were separated by just 11 points at the start of the day, but the No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963 was eliminated from championship contention just 74 minutes into the 10-hour event when Nick Tandy was swept into an accident triggered by a pair of Grand Touring (GT) cars.
As the race unfolded, the championship lead bounced back and forth between the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Racing Cadillac V-Series.R that led the standings heading into the weekend, and the No. 10 Konica Minolta Racing Acura ARX-06 that took over the top spot after points were awarded for qualifying.
With 62 minutes remaining, Filipe Albuquerque in the No. 10 attempted to pass Pipo Derani in the No. 31 for second place around the outside of Turn 1, a fast, 90-degree right-hander. The cars made side-to-side contact before the Acura speared to the left across the grass into heavy contact with a tire barrier. IMSA race control reviewed the coming-together but ruled no incident responsibility.
The dramatic turn of events essentially guaranteed the championship would go to the No. 31 Cadillac, with drivers Derani, Alexander Sims, and Jack Aitken. They duly clinched the crown with a sixth-place finish.
Derani and Sims ended the season with a 21-point advantage over Albuquerque and co-driver Ricky Taylor, who finished just a single point ahead of Blomqvist and Braun. The No. 60 duo led the GTP class with three race wins in 2023.
The top seven teams completed the first year of the new GTP formula clustered within 60 points, demonstrating a remarkable level of parity between the four competing manufacturers. Porsche Penske Motorsport’s two entries tied for fourth in the standings (-42 points).
WINNERS By CLASS
GTP
No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian Acura ARX-06
- 18th career IMSA win
- Third win of 2023 (Daytona, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park)
Tom Blomqvist
- Fifth career WeatherTech Championship win
- Third win of 2023 following wins at Daytona, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Colin Braun
- 25th career IMSA win
- Third win of 2023 following wins at Daytona, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Helio Castroneves
- 11th career IMSA win
- Second win of 2023 following wins at Daytona, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
LMP2
No. 04 Crowdstrike Racing by APR ORECA LMP2 07
- Second WeatherTech Championship win
- First win came at Watkins Glen this year
George Kurtz
- Third career WeatherTech Championship victory
- Last win was at Watkins Glen this year
Ben Hanley
- Fourth career WeatherTech Championship victory
- Last win came at Watkins Glen this year
Nolan Siegel
- Second career WeatherTech Championship victory
- First win came at Watkins Glen this year
LMP3
No. 30 Jr III Racing Ligier JS P320
- First WeatherTech Championship victory
Garett Grist
- Second career WeatherTech Championship victory
- First win came at the 2017 Motul Petit Le Mans
Dakota Dickerson
- First career WeatherTech Championship victory
Bijoy Garg
- First career WeatherTech Championship victory
GTD PRO
No. 79 WeatherTech Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3
- Eighth career WeatherTech Championship win
- Fourth win of 2023 (Daytona, Laguna Seca, Indianapolis)
Jules Gounon
- Fourth career WeatherTech Championship win
- Fourth win of 2023
Daniel Juncadella
- Fourth career WeatherTech Championship win
- Fourth win of 2023
Maro Engel
- Fourth career WeatherTech Championship win
- Last win at 2023 Rolex 24 At Daytona
GTD
No. 78 Forte Racing Powered by USRT Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2
- First career win
Loris Spinelli
- First career WeatherTech Championship win
Patrick Liddy
- First career WeatherTech Championship win
Misha Goikhberg
- Second career WeatherTech Championship win
- Last win came at Watkins Glen in 2018
Notes & Cover Photo Credit: IMSA PR
Photo Credit: Meyer Shank Racing (Winners)
Subscribe to our channel: www.youtube.com/@AutomotiveWoman
