DragonSpeed Secures Dramatic Victory at CTMP
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Ont. — In a stunning display of strategy and endurance, DragonSpeed claimed victory in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park with the No. 81 Ferrari 296 GT3, driven by Albert Costa and Giacomo Altoe. Starting from the last position in the GTD PRO class, Costa executed a masterful long-run strategy, completing 51 laps on a single tank of fuel and securing the win with just two pit stops.
Costa’s victory places him within striking distance of the championship as the series heads to Road America. "It’s a strange one," Costa reflected. "We won while being the slowest car on track because the strategy worked." After a difficult qualifying session where the team placed 10th in class, they embraced an aggressive fuel-saving strategy, banking on multiple Full Course Yellows to enhance their chances.
The critical moment came during the race’s second half when Costa overtook Nicky Catsburg of Corvette Racing for the lead after a well-timed pit. The turn of events seemed fortuitous as both leading cars appeared to require additional stops to finish. Costa noted, "We were on the limit, but that crash helped us go to the end," referencing the Safety Car incident involving TDS Racing and Forte Racing that allowed for crucial strategic adjustments.
Despite the challenges, the victory was bittersweet due to a crash earlier in the race that sidelined Tom Dillmann, leaving the LMP2 driver nursing an injury. Costa acknowledged the risks involved, admitting, "When I overtook Catsburg, I didn’t realize it would lead to victory; we were actually battling for last."
Following this surprising win, DragonSpeed trails the championship leader, the No. 3 Corvette Racing entry, by 53 points, with a potential maximum swing of 154 points available in the upcoming race. Costa remains optimistic, stating, "We are ready – and I hope we can win again."
Looking ahead to Road America, Costa will race the same model that previously secured victory at the track last year. However, concerns about a lack of pre-race testing could pose challenges. "Without testing, it makes our life a little harder, but I trust the team," he said, emphasizing a focused approach as they aim for podium finishes moving forward.
As the season unfolds, the implications of DragonSpeed’s strategy and performances remain critical, promising an exciting championship battle.
