Acura achieved its second consecutive victory in the IMSA SportsCar Championship at the 6 Hours of the Glen, enhancing its prospects in the manufacturers’ championship, narrowing the gap to Porsche while distancing itself from other competitors.
However, the final results remain uncertain, with IMSA yet to confirm the outcome more than 36 hours after the race.
With three races still on the calendar, Porsche’s advantage has decreased to just 90 points, and with a maximum of 385 points available in each remaining round, the competition is still fierce. What caused this sudden shift in momentum?
Blomqvist Saves Acura
As the final full course yellow was called with only 10 minutes left, strategists were in a frenzy. Would there be a race restart, and who could finish strong?
The #10 Cadillac (Filipe Albuquerque) and #6 Porsche (Mathieu Jaminet) had pitted just before the yellow, making them confident about finishing in the event of a restart. The #40 Cadillac, which was fourth, had refueled earlier.
However, the leading cars—the #31 Cadillac and the Acuras (#93 and #60)—were in a different predicament. Ultimately, the race resumed with three minutes remaining, allowing time for two final laps.
This was fortune for Tom Blomqvist, as Nick Yelloly (#93 Acura) had to pit at the start of the second-to-last lap, followed by Earl Bamber (#31 Cadillac), while Blomqvist had strategically conserved enough fuel to finish in the #60 Acura ARX-07.
Blomqvist expressed pride in their fuel strategy that allowed him to finish while others could not, marking the second consecutive win for Meyer Shank Racing, solidifying Acura’s position as Porsche’s main rival in the championship chase.
Porsche Minimizes the Damage
Prior to the race, IMSA made adjustments to its Balance of Performance, recognizing the need to limit Porsche Penske Motorsport’s winning streak.
Porsche’s success earlier in the season was largely attributed to their exceptional execution, even when facing a heavier car. Despite qualifying behind, they managed to secure third and fourth places at the latest event.
A timely pit stop just before the last full course yellow enabled the #6 Porsche 963 to capture an unanticipated fourth place, surprising everyone after disappointing qualifying results.
Matt Campbell remarked that the fourth-place finish exceeded expectations, underscoring the importance of luck in their positioning within the championship. With recent developments, Campbell and Jaminet now lead the overall standings for the first time this season.
‘The Phoenix’ Brings the Heat
Romain Grosjean stood out during the Watkins Glen race, showcasing remarkable skill and determination while driving the Lamborghini SC63, which achieved its joint-best IMSA finish.
Despite challenging conditions, Grosjean managed a long stint in the car but struggled with the extreme heat inside the cockpit due to a lack of ventilation or cooling systems.
He commented on the difficulty of racing without necessary amenities such as air conditioning or cooling vests, making his 2-hour and 45-minute lap feel exceptionally long.
BMW Still Struggling
The future of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s collaboration with BMW in IMSA appears uncertain amid consistent underperformance.
The #24 BMW of Philipp Eng and Dries Vanthoor finished eighth, while the #25 BMW had to retire, leading to a disappointing overall result and raising speculation about potential management changes in the IMSA program.
Cadillac’s Mixed Emotions
The #31 Cadillac V-Series.R from Action Express Racing was a strong contender, leading as the race neared its conclusion before the last full course yellow.
Frustration set in when Bamber lost his lead after having to pit during the last lap. Ultimately, the team finished fifth, while Wayne Taylor Racing celebrated a surprising double podium success.
Cadillac remains winless this season and currently holds third place in the manufacturers’ championship standings.
