Heinrich Joins JDC-Miller MotorSports for Long Beach as Porsche Secures Competitive Edge
Long Beach – Laurin Heinrich continues to build on his impressive start to the 2026 season, having achieved consecutive “Triple Crown” victories at the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring with Porsche Penske Motorsport. To maintain momentum, Heinrich has joined customer team JDC-Miller MotorSports for the remainder of the IMSA season, starting with the Grand Prix of Long Beach.
“Initially, I planned to race in only three endurance events,” Heinrich noted. “However, this new opportunity provides invaluable track time and experience with a different team.”
His participation in Long Beach marks a significant transition from the factory setup to a customer team environment. Heinrich expressed optimism regarding the collaboration, stating, “I believe I can share insights from my factory experience that will benefit the team.”
Performance and Practice Insights
During practice sessions, Heinrich demonstrated potential by clocking the fastest lap in the first session and followed up with another competitive outing, suggesting strong prospects for the race ahead.
“Long Beach poses unique challenges,” Heinrich mentioned, comparing it favorably to Detroit due to its grip and track width, which facilitate driver confidence and speed.
Despite JDC-Miller’s tough qualifying position, with Tijmen van der Helm starting tenth out of eleven GTP cars, the team’s strategy remains focused on execution and maximizing their potential based on car performance. “Overtaking is difficult here, so execution will be critical during our single pit stop,” Heinrich emphasized.
Season Outlook
With Long Beach, Laguna Seca, Detroit, and Indianapolis on his calendar, Heinrich aims for a robust 2026 season. Plans are also in place for him to participate in the six-hour Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix at Road America, alongside commitments in the European Le Mans Series and other races.
As Heinrich continues to blend his expertise within the IMSA framework, he remains focused on further developing as a driver. “I love to race anything with a Porsche badge,” he concluded, highlighting his ambition to gain experience across diverse platforms.
Conclusion
As the Grand Prix of Long Beach unfolds, Heinrich’s integration into JDC-Miller MotorSports could prove pivotal for the team’s competitive edge, setting the stage for a potentially transformative season in IMSA racing.
