IMSA Sanctioned Test: Grenier Tops Final Session at Daytona
Mikaël Grenier of 75 Express emerged as the fastest driver in the final session of the IMSA Sanctioned Test at Daytona International Speedway, clocking a time of 1:47.187 in the #75 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO. The Canadian’s performance within the opening 30 minutes surpassed the earlier benchmark set by Thomas Preining of Manthey, who recorded a 1:47.700.
Grenier’s time secured dominance for Mercedes-AMG throughout the test, with the marque leading all five sessions for GTD PRO competitors. The best overall GT time for the weekend was established by Winward Racing’s Maxime Martin, who posted a 1:47.152 earlier in the day.
Preining retained second place in the #911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992.2), having completed the most laps, while Luca Stolz in the #48 Mercedes-AMG finished third. Jack Hawksworth in the #14 Vasser Sullivan Racing Lexus RC F GT3 claimed fourth, and Max Esterson rounded out the top five in the #59 RLL Team McLaren GT3 Evo.
In the GTD category, Jan Heylen topped the session with a 1:47.750 in the #28 RS1 Porsche, but his run was interrupted by a puncture that required a Red Flag. Despite the incident, he managed to complete 58 laps. Callum Ilott made significant gains in the final hour, placing the #120 Wright Motorsports Porsche second, just 0.123 seconds behind Heylen. Spencer Pumpelly in the #44 Magnus Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo secured third position.
Notably, the #1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3 Evo and the #57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG opted to sit out the afternoon session, while the #16 Myer Riley Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 Evo was absent due to engine issues encountered earlier.
The next on-track activity for the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship will occur on January 16, 2026, during the Roar Before The 24 at the same venue.
