We are in the home stretch for Motul Petit Le Mans.

The sun has set and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta is now in nightfall. This dusk stage of the race saw the field set a rhythm that they are able to navigate the traffic calmly and peacefully. There was one moment of absolute weirdness during the sixth hour. Norman Nato had just left the pits in the #40 Wayne Taylor Cadillac. While trying to get tires warmed up, he was holding up GTD cars. Jake Walker in #96 Turner BMW checked up for the slow Caddy. Miguel Molina in the #47 Cetilar Ferrari did not and collided with the BMW going into Turn 6. Both cars drove away but suffered damage, resulting in a full course yellow for debris.

Trouble for United

As the eighth hour came to an end, drama has struck in LMP2. The #22 United Autosports Oreca, which was contending for the championship and leading for the last couple of hours, was suddenly pushed behind the wall with suspension problems. With the car yet to come back out, this could be end of United’s championship hopes.

Leaders

The #31 Whelen Cadillac leads GTP over the Penske Porsches looking to lock up the championships. In LMP2, Hunter McElrea was leading but as I type this report, he has been spun by the #73 Pratt Miller Motorsports Oreca of Pietro Fittapaldi. This hands the lead to Jonny Edgar in the AO Racing #99. Dan Harper continues to lead for Paul Miller Racing and BMW in GTD PRO while Alessandro Pier Guidi continues to lead GTD with the AF Corse Ferrari.

Endurance Cup Points

We have reached our second distribution of points in the Michelin Endurance Cup. Top 3 in each class are as follows:

GTP

  1. #31 Whelen Cadillac – 5 pts
  2. #6 Penske Porsche – 4 pts
  3. #63 Lamborghini – 3 pts

LMP2

  1. #11 TDS Racing – 5 pts
  2. #99 AO Racing – 4 pts
  3. #18 Era Motorsports – 3 pts

GTD PRO

  1. #48 Paul Miller BMW – 5 pts
  2. #14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus – 4 pts
  3. #3 Corvette Racing PMM – 3 pts

GTD

  1. #21 AF Corse Ferrari – 5 pts
  2. #12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus – 4 pts
  3. #023 Triarsi Ferrari – 3 pts

Final points distribution for the Endurance Cup will be at the finish.

Who will win Petit Le Mans? Who will claim the championships? What final twists remain in this endurance classic? Stay tuned for the finish.

Featured Image: #31 Whelen Action Express Cadillac Photo Courtesy: Whelen Motorsports/Facebook