The IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship returns to Road America. This year’s race at the four-mile circuit will look different than the past. IMSA moved their second six-hour race from Indianapolis to the National Park of Speed. The move has been greatly received by fans and the drivers already enjoy driving this circuit. What can go wrong? Let’s preview the fourth round of the Michelin Endurance Cup. Here is what to look for in the Motul Sportscar Endurance Grand Prix.
NOTE: This preview for the GTD classes. For the prototype preview, click HERE.
GTD PRO: Making a Statement?
Paul Miller Racing looks to be peaking at the right time. While they have not won since the Rolex 24, the consistency has been key. Four top-5 in the five races since Daytona, including podiums in the last two races. The result: a 108-point advantage with four races to go. The Buford, Georgia-based team are also the defending class winners of this race.
Additionally, the team have the Michelin Endurance Cup the last two years and leading it soundly this year. And by soundly, second place in MEC standings is Max Hesse – their Daytona and Sebring teammate that won’t be racing this weekend…yes that dominant. A team that strategizes endurance races better than anyone combined with a championship mentality and race-winning speed. Safe to say there is a lot of confidence in this camp.
Driverwise, Neil Verhagen is back to defend that win from a year ago. And while Connor De Philippi was not part of the full-season team a year ago, he is also very well-versed at this track. The veterans knows how to hot lap Road America better than anyone. Even with the BoP (more details later), you would be hard-pressed to bet against this team not being in contention in the waning hours Sunday.
Learning Curve
It has been a learning season for RLL Team McLaren. McLaren, back in IMSA after sitting out 2025, has shown flashes of brilliance with the 720S. Rahal Letterman Lanigan, back in GT racing for the first time since 2022, is getting adjusted to an all new car. But for rookie Max Esterson, the entire season has been one big experiment. The New York City native has had quite the career. After starting out in sim racing, Esterson worked his way into formula cars. By 2022, Esterson was flying the American flag in the feeder championships in Europe. He got as high as Formula 2 last season before performance saw his quest to reach Formula 1 come to a halt.
After a late call up to debut at Petit Le Mans last October for JDC-Miller Motorsports, Esterson has now found a home in IMSA in GTD PRO this season. It’s amazing when you consider all of this was not Max’s intent, “From the beginning, being a racing driver was not the plan. It came unexpectedly.”
As Esterson has transitioned to sportscar racing, there have been growing pains but gains with learning. Esterson put the McLaren on the front row last time out in Canada, where he and teammate Nikita Johnson converted into a season best sixth. He will have to lean both Johnson and his aforementioned sim racing prowess as he continues his learning curve visiting Road America for the first time. “I’m sure (Nikita) will have some advice,” Esterson says in regards to Johnson already racing at Road America this season through IndyNXT. “In iRacing, the scan is pretty modern and it’s pretty helpful to start off. Even if you are at a track you don’t know, if the first lap is strong it’s a good place to build from.”
Is Rexy for Real?
Follow me on this one gang. AO Racing find themselves in the thick of this championship race. Harry King and Nick Tandy enter Road America third in driver points, 144 points from the lead and only 36 points out of second. Coming off their third podium of the season in Canada, Rexy and his British pilots got to be feeling confident about their chances. Momentum and incentive always welcome and this championship-winning squad has plenty of both in their corner.
Unfortunately, this season has been feast or famine for AO up to this point. Every podium is traded for an off day. Outside their three podiums, their finishes are a seventh and two ninths. Not quite the consistency that is needed to win championships in IMSA. But as anyone who races in IMSA knows, one race can change everything. Let’s see if Sunday could be that race for AO Racing.
Miscellaneous
Finally, one quick note on the “Grello” Manthey Porsche. The No. 911 will have two changes from Watkins Glen. The first change is that the MEC entry will revert from three drivers to two for this race. Secondly, Thomas Preining returns to partner Klaus Bachler. The Austrian, fresh off a DTM win last weekend, missed Watkins Glen due to commitments at Spa, a decision that worked out for the best.
GTD: The Chase Is On
Vasser Sullivan Racing’s Aaron Telitz is from Birchwood, a 4.5-hour drive from the west side of Wisconsin to Road America over east. Still, Road America is a home race for him and it is a weekend that is circled on his calendar every year. “I love everything about it…the atmosphere, the fans are incredible. The whole event feels old school and has the classic sportscar experience. It’s the only place where I can walk around and see Telitz shirts.” There was also a mention of something about scooters…check social media, thank me later.
Scooters and atmosphere aside, momentum is also on Telitz’s mind. Aaron, co-driver Benjamin Pederson and the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan crew come into Road America second in points. They scored a podium in Canada three weeks ago. Furthermore, the last two races has seen them chip away at Eduardo Barichello’s lead – now down to 92 points entering the weekend. But Telitz says don’t think title just yet, “Long way to go for that.” Still, he is quite prepared for the run down the stretch. “I’ve been here before. I know what it takes. I’ve seen what works. I’ve seen what doesn’t. I am applying everything I know that works and avoiding everything that didn’t in the past.”
Speaking of the past, I would not look back to the past for encouragement if I was Lexus. Vasser Sullivan has only scored one podium here in the last five races with the team failing to crack the top-10 the last two years. But in IMSA, you are only as good as your last race and that appears to be good news for Vasser Sullivan.
Chasing Double
One year ago, Road America was the culmination of a wild summer for Kenton Koch. After finishing on podium at Watkins Glen, the team he was driving for announced they were closing their doors. The closure came at the worst possible time as the team was gaining momentum with three straight top-six finishes. Koch found refuge at Triarsi Competizione, a team that was going through driver shifts themselves. Regardless, the union proved to be a fruitful one. In his second race with the team, Koch would spearhead Triarsi’s first IMSA win at Road America last August. The win was made all the more special sharing driving duties with team owner Onofrio Triarsi. Two further podiums saw Kenton secure runner-up in GTD points.
This season, Koch and Triarsi have scaled back to an Endurance Cup only campaign. Despite less races, the approach remains the same. “You approach an endurance weekend like an endurance weekend, full season or not,” Koch declared. “Driving a little less GT3 cars is the only thing I am bummed about, but I am happy and fortunate to be part of this program. It’s not much of a mindset shift, but you certainly want to make them count.”
At a track that brings fond memories from 2025, surely this is a race Triarsi have circled on their calendar want to make count. Especially with the race being twice as long.
GT Setup
What makes for an ideal…or rather comfortable setup for Road America? “You want a car that’s consistent throughout the entire stint,” says Aaron Telitz. “You end up losing the tires over the course of a stint…more than you would like versus other tracks.” Kenton Koch provided insight to how car build matters, “The (Ferrari) really gets to be slow at the end of a run if you develop understeer. Most cars you handle a little understeer and still be quick. But with this car if the front end peaces out, your lap times go down. It’s making sure the front is sharp for the duration of the run. You have to manage your expectation for what you ask of the front axle at the beginning so you can have it at the end.”
Safe to say there is no perfect way to set up a car, but car and driver touches will make the biggest differences in who brings what to the track for the weekend.
Contenders
Looking at the entry list of nineteen for the class, one can say it is anyone’s race. But there are some that will clearly stand out. We have already mentioned Vasser Sullivan and Triarsi. Beyond them, of course championship leaders Heart of Racing should be in the conversation. The team usually does well in the endurance races and they are due for a good run after a pair of underwhelming performances recently. Sebring winners AF Corse should be better placed for Road America than Watkins Glen. This is due in part to Lilou Wadoux Ducellier and Antonio Fuoco returning after missing the Glen for the 24 Hours of Spa.
Winward are back to winning ways after taking class honors in Canada. The paddock is well aware of what this team is capable of and they could be poised for a late-season charge. Turner and Conquest have been knocking on the door with solid runs in recent rounds. Turner is fresh off their second podium of the season. Conquest should be one to watch as Ferrari run well here in addition to Albert Costa scoring a podium here in GTD PRO last year. Finally, there is Manthey 1st Phorm back after winning Watkins Glen with a strategy masterstroke. The team knows how to put themselves in position and I cannot see them not being in the picture when we get to crunch time.
Miscellaneous
Robert Wickens received an eleventh-hour call-up and will run his first IMSA enduro since 2017. Wickens replaces Salih Yoluc in the DXDT Corvette lineup. Car Blanche by YRB Racing comes back to the GTD class for Road America. The same lineup from Watkins Glen, that netted their podium result, returns as Silvers Marcus Fossard and Trenton Estep partner Valentin Hasse-Clot in the No. 068. Expect this arrangement for Petit Le Mans while returning to GTD PRO for VIR and Indy. Alec Udell replaces Henrik Hedman in the No. 81 Dragonspeed Corvette. Hedman was scheduled to run this race, but injuries have forced the Bronze-graded Swede out for the weekend. Lastly, Morris Schuring returns to the No. 912 Manthey Porsche for Road America. Schuring was one of many drivers caught in the date clash with the Spa 24 Hours.
Balance of Performance
Let’s take a look at IMSA’s GT Balance of Performance (BoP) major changes that have taken place between Canadian Tire Motorsports Park and Road America.
Weight
The Aston Martin Vantage and Lamborghini Huracan will receive 15kg weight breaks while Corvette will receive 15kg in additional weight. Mercedes, Ford and the Lamborghini Temerario see no weight change while other manufacturers receive nominal weight adjustments.
Power
The common theme is manufacturers will get a small boost in Stage 1 while taking a power cut in Stage 2. Porsche will remain at max power in both stages as they were at CTMP. Lexus, however, will see a 3.8% loss in Stage 1 in addition to their Stage 2 cut.
Energy
All GT cars will see a drop in max stint energy for Road America. The biggest losers are Aston Martin (-47MJ), BMW (-40MJ) and Porsche (-39MJ).
NOTE: No rear wing angle changes were made
Weekend On-Track Schedule (All Times CDT US)
Friday
- 11:25am-12:55pm: Free Practice 1
Saturday
- 9:50-11:35am: Free Practice 2
- Qualifying
- 3:25pm: GTD
- 3:45pm: GTD PRO
- 4:05pm: LMP2
- 4:25pm: GTP
Sunday
- 10:40am: Race (6 Hours)
Media Coverage
Radio
IMSA Radio is the official radio broadcaster of the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship. All on-track sessions for the IWSC will be broadcast on IMSA Radio.
Friday
- Free Practice 1: 12:20pm ET/9:20am PT
Saturday
- Free Practice 2: 10:45am ET/7:45am PT
- Qualifying: 4:20pm ET/1:20pm PT
Sunday
- Pre-Race: 11am ET/8am PT
SiriusXM will simulcast IMSA Radio race coverage on Channels 206 (Cars) and 996 (SXM App). Broadcast will go live Sunday at 11:30am ET/8:30am PT.
TV/Streaming
United States: NBC Sports on Peacock
International: IMSA Official YouTube Channel/IMSA.tv
- Qualifying: Saturday 4:20pm ET/1:20pm PT
- Race: Sunday 11:30am ET/8:30am PT
Time Converter for International Fans: Click HERE
Peacock: Click HERE
IMSA YouTube Channel: Click HERE
IMSA Radio: Click HERE
Headline Photo: IMSA Racing at Road America, 2025 Photo Courtesy: IMSA/Facebook
