IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta: Season Finale Results
Race Overview
The Fox Factory 120 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta concluded the 2025 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, with dominant performances in both the Grand Sport (GS) and Touring Car (TCR) classes. Michael Cooper and Moisey Uretsky secured their third consecutive victory in GS driving the #44 Ibiza Farm Motorsport McLaren Artura GT4, while Eric Powell and Tyler Gonzalez clinched their second straight win for TCR in the #99 Victor Gonzalez Racing Team Cupra Leon VZ TCR.
Grand Sport (GS) Highlights
Cooper’s decisive move came as he passed Jaxon Bell in the #23 Copeland Motorsports Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2, establishing a lead of over four seconds for the win. Robby Foley and Beltre Curtis finished third in the #96 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT4 EVO.
Jan Heylen and Luca Mars, piloting the #28 RS1 Porsche 718 GT4 RS CS, secured the GS championship with a strategic sixth-place finish, totaling 2,720 points—70 points clear of the second-place #39 BMW M4 GT4 EVO driven by Jeff Westphal and Sean McAlister.
Cooper’s insights post-race reflected confidence in their strategy, “We were the only ones that took two tires during the pit stop, so I think we had a little bit of an advantage there,” emphasizing the critical nature of pit lane decisions.
Touring Car (TCR) Highlights
In TCR, Gonzalez and Powell’s win followed a mid-season switch to the Cupra, showcasing their adaptability, with Powell noting, “When we switched to the Cupra, it just drove the way I wanted it to drive.” Their performance capped a successful campaign, and they finished the season with back-to-back wins.
Meanwhile, Bryan Herta Autosport secured another TCR championship as Harry Gottsacker and Mason Filippi’s efforts in the #98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR led to a fourth-place finish, allowing them to win the championship by a narrow 20 points over the #76 Hyundai team.
Technical Insights and Context
The race illustrated the critical role of strategy in these competitive environments. As noted by both winning teams, tire management and pit stop decisions heavily influenced outcomes. Cooper’s mention of their two-tire strategy reflects the nuanced approach teams must take under varying race conditions.
Heylen and Mars’ consistent performance over the season underscored the importance of endurance and strategy, as they overcame pressure to secure their championship. Both drivers praised their team’s hard work, with Mars stating, “The RS1 team and the Porsche were incredible all year.”
Conclusion
The Fox Factory 120 not only concluded another thrilling IMSA season but also highlighted the depth of talent and strategy involved in endurance racing. With championships claimed and future ambitions set, teams are poised for an even more competitive 2026 season.
