CarBahn Leads BMW 1-2 At CTMP

IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120 Report

Race Summary
Jeff Westphal and CarBahn with Peregrine Racing clinched victory at the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge’s Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120, marking Westphal’s sixth career win in the series and his second of the 2025 season. The team navigated potential fuel concerns, ultimately sealing the win after a late caution period reshaped race dynamics.

Key Highlights

Westphal’s teammate, Sean McAlister, executed a strategic 58-minute initial stint, stretching fuel efficiency to outlast the pole-sitting #13 Ford Mustang GT4 of Nate Cicero.
A multi-car accident on Andretti Straight triggered a 22-minute caution, alleviating fuel worries for the leaders.
Westphal crossed the finish line with a 5.603-second lead over the #27 Auto Technic Racing BMW M4 GT4 EVO, driven by Stevan McAleer and Austin Krainz, with the #19 Ford Mustang GT4 of Gregory Liefooghe and Sean Quinlan taking third.

Technical Insights
Westphal’s victory was precarious; he needed to navigate through debris following the accident, emphasizing the critical nature of strategic fuel management throughout the race. "We were really tight without the yellow; it made it very doable," he noted regarding the one-stop strategy employed.

McAlister expressed relief about the team’s performance, indicating that the fuel-saving tactics executed early were pivotal in securing the win. “I didn’t do as much fuel saving as I could have done, but Jeff did a great job of keeping the car clean,” he stated.

Race Results

#39 CarBahn with Peregrine Racing BMW M4 GT4 EVO
#27 Auto Technic Racing BMW M4 GT4 EVO
#19 Stephen Cameron Racing Ford Mustang GT4
#96 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT4 EVO
#13 McCumbee McAleer Racing Ford Mustang GT4

Points Standings
With this victory, Westphal and McAlister moved into second place in the GS class, trailing only Jan Heylen and Luca Mars, who finished ninth and maintain a 260-point lead in the championship.

TCR Class Overview
In the Touring Car class, Karl Wittmer and LP Montour of the Montreal Motorsports Group secured back-to-back victories, further solidifying their championship chase. The duo faced competition from Sam Baker, whose Audi incurred a critical penalty that delayed his progress.

Race Outcomes for TCR

#93 MMG Honda Civic FL5 TCR
#99 Victor Gonzalez Racing Team Hyundai Elantra N TCR
#7 Audi RS3 LMS TCR (Eversley/Neto)
#56 Baker Racing Audi RS3 LMS TCR
#76 BHA Hyundai Elantra TCR

This event sets the stage for the next round, the Road America 120, scheduled for August 2, continuing the fierce competition in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.