IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship: Porsche Dominates at Laguna Seca
Porsche Penske Motorsport achieved a commanding 1-2 finish at the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, with the #6 Porsche 963 driven by Mathieu Jaminet and Matt Campbell securing victory.
The race commenced with the #24 Team RLL BMW M Hybrid V8 on pole, but an early pit strategy allowed the #6 Porsche to undercut both the BMW and the #7 Penske Porsche, where Nick Tandy was co-driver. Upon taking the wheel, Jaminet initially maintained a seven-second gap over Tandy, but the lead diminished as the race progressed, especially during the final round of pit stops.
As the leaders navigated through traffic on the final lap, Tandy closed significantly. A late incident occurred when Dries Vanthoor’s BMW engaged in a risky maneuver, ultimately leading to contact that sent him into the sand trap. Jaminet held off Tandy, crossing the line first, while Tandy’s second-place finish keeps him and Felipe Nasr atop the GTP Championship standings ahead of the upcoming Detroit Grand Prix on May 31.
Vanthoor and co-driver Philipp Eng salvaged third place for BMW, following a strong opening hour. Meanwhile, the #25 RLL BMW of Marco Wittmann and Sheldon van der Linde finished fourth. Acura’s #93 Meyer Shank Racing, driven by Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly, completed the top five, followed closely by the #31 Cadillac of Jack Aitken and Frederik Vesti in sixth.
The top ten featured Wayne Taylor Racing’s two Cadillacs, #40 and #10, along with the #85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche and #23 Aston Martin THOR Team Valkyrie.
In the GTD PRO class, AO Racing’s #77 Porsche 911 GT3 R, piloted by Laurin Heinrich and Klaus Bachler, claimed victory, marking their third consecutive win across GT classes. The duo executed a strategic undercut during the first round of pit stops, allowing them to lead after Bachler began the race second behind the #81 DragonSpeed Ferrari driven by Giacomo Altoe.
Despite efforts from Costa, who struggled behind Antonio Garcia’s #3 Corvette, the #77 Porsche maintained a ten-second advantage to secure the win. The final podium was rounded out by Altoe’s Ferrari and the #3 Chevrolet Corvette.
In GTD, Winward Racing clinched their second victory of the season with the #57 Mercedes-AMG GT3, where Philip Ellis took the lead post-pit stops. The #12 Vasser Sullivan Racing Lexus, driven by Parker Thompson, finished second, following an impressive early charge from sixth to second. The final podium position was seized by the #34 Conquest Racing Ferrari after a late maneuver.
Key race results will be closely examined ahead of the next event, with momentum building for the teams participating in the Championship.
