IMSA Watkins Glen Qualifying Summary
Watkins Glen, NY – In an intense qualifying session at Watkins Glen for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Renger van der Zande secured pole position in the #93 Acura ARX-06 with a record-setting lap, marking his first IMSA pole since the 2018 Rolex 24. Van der Zande’s time of 1:31.XXX set a new benchmark for the event, but he expressed concerns over tire management for the upcoming six-hour race, particularly due to expected temperatures reaching 32°C.
“I think the heat is not particularly good for us,” said van der Zande. “The Cadillac (V-Series.R) seems a bit better on the tires than we are with the Acura. Preserving the tires will be key tomorrow.”
His teammate, endurance specialist Kakunoshin Ohta, is set to share driving duties, making his second IMSA GTP start. “Having him with us is very helpful,” van der Zande noted, emphasizing the physical demands of the race due to the heat.
Jack Aitken, driving the #31 Cadillac Whelen V-Series.R, qualified second. He acknowledged the strength of the Cadillac under high-temperature conditions, stating, “It’s much more our strength, especially later in the race when tire management becomes crucial.” Aitken expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance and remains focused on competing for the race victory.
Meanwhile, the #21 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 faced a setback after Alessandro Pier Guidi was penalized for a disconnected IMSA-mandated sensor during inspection, resulting in a starting position at the back of the grid despite originally qualifying seventh.
Looking ahead, DragonSpeed expects Giacomo Altoe to return for the next round at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park after missing the last two races for personal reasons. Additionally, their #81 Ferrari 296 GT3 has reverted to its original livery following repairs from a crash in Detroit.
Carrera Cup and Super Trofeo Highlights
In the Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Zachary Vanier secured his first win of the season after surviving a chaotic start that resulted in a six-car incident. Despite the challenges, Vanier maintained his lead to finish ahead of Topp Racing teammates Tyler Maxson and Ryan Yardley.
In Lamborghini Super Trofeo action, Elias de la Torre and Will Bamber continued their dominance, sweeping the Watkins Glen weekend. They finished ahead of Jaden Conwright and Scott Huffaker, with Colin Queen and Enzo Geraci completing the podium.
Key Race Results:
-
IMSA GTP Qualifying:
- 1st: Renger van der Zande (Acura)
- 2nd: Jack Aitken (Cadillac)
-
Porsche Carrera Cup Race 2:
- 1st: Zachary Vanier (JDX Motorsports)
- 2nd: Tyler Maxson (Topp Racing)
- 3rd: Ryan Yardley (Topp Racing)
- Lamborghini Super Trofeo:
- 1st: Elias de la Torre / Will Bamber (TR3 Racing)
- 2nd: Jaden Conwright / Scott Huffaker (World Speed Racing)
- 3rd: Colin Queen / Enzo Geraci (ANSA Motorsports)
This afternoon’s race will be crucial in determining tire strategies and endurance as drivers brace for the heat and a demanding six-hour battle ahead.
