Paul Miller Racing Clinches GTD Pro Championship at Petit Le Mans
In a season finale marked by intense competition, Paul Miller Racing emerged victorious at the Motul Petit Le Mans, securing the GTD Pro championship. Drivers Connor De Phillippi and Neil Verhagen, along with third driver Dan Harper, finished third in the race but clinched the title, following an exceptional season that included a triumph at the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
This victory represents De Phillippi’s first championship in his seventh full season in IMSA. Reflecting on the journey, he stated, “I haven’t been able to wrap my head around it… Starting off with a strong Daytona is huge for the overall title. We went race by race, maximized what we had, and made the least amount of mistakes between everyone in the field.”
Verhagen, a key contributor this season, achieved critical performance with seven top-three qualifying starts. De Phillippi credited him, saying, “Neil was great all season in qualifying… When you see the championship come down to a handful of points, all those starts add up.”
The race itself was fraught with challenges for the team, including a drive-through penalty after a collision involving Harper. Despite this setback, Verhagen managed to secure third place, finishing behind the winning #68 Car Blanche Aston Martin and the #77 AO Racing Porsche.
“This was probably the most anxious I was,” De Phillippi admitted. He described the day as significant, recalling a championship win almost ten years prior, stating, “It seemed very fitting.”
This championship marks Paul Miller Racing’s return to the top after dominating the 2023 GTD category. Additionally, the team has won the GTD Pro Endurance Cup for the third consecutive year.
Looking ahead, uncertainties loom for the team as they face potential changes in 2027. Verhagen noted, “Regardless of what the rumors are, they’re just rumors… This year the goal was clear: It was to bring home the Rolex and to go and win the championship.”
The resilience and teamwork displayed throughout the season were pivotal for the team, a sentiment echoed by Verhagen, who deemed it “the most successful season in motorsport” for him.
As the team celebrates this remarkable achievement, the focus now shifts to the future and maintaining their competitive edge in an evolving motorsports landscape.
