Winward Racing and CrowdStrike Racing Claim Championship Titles at Petit Le Mans
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, October 14, 2026 – Winward Racing clinched a historic third consecutive GTD championship while CrowdStrike Racing by APR secured the LMP2 title in a thrilling conclusion to the IMSA season at the Petit Le Mans.
Winward Racing’s #57 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, driven by Russell Ward, Philip Ellis, and Indy Dontje, achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the first team and driver trio to win the GTD championship three times in a row since IMSA’s current era began in 2014. They triumphed at Petit Le Mans, marking an impressive turnaround after a challenging season marred by incidents and penalties early on.
“To finish this tough season with a win here at Petit Le Mans is amazing,” stated Ellis. “The entire team deserves this result.”
After starting the year with victory at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Winward faced significant adversity, trailing the GTD standings by 300 points after a series of setbacks. However, the team rallied with four wins in the final five races, culminating in their first Petit Le Mans victory—a race they had never previously finished above fifth.
“Those guys in the garage set the tone for our comeback,” Ward reflected. “We went on a five-race streak with podiums, including four wins.”
Despite needing only to complete the race to secure the championship, Winward chose to push for victory. This strategic decision solidified their position, achieving the Endurance Cup as well.
“Winning the championship means so much to the whole team,” Ward added. “If you told me when we started in 2017 we’d be here ten years later, I wouldn’t have believed you.”
In the LMP2 category, CrowdStrike Racing by APR’s George Kurtz, Alex Quinn, and Toby Sowery clinched their championship after overcoming a series of challenges, including significant rear damage from the #43 Inter Europol Competition ORECA. Following repairs, a critical fuel-only stop allowed them to regain the lead and ultimately win the race by a narrow 0.666 seconds.
“This victory was a true team effort,” Kurtz said. “Despite the adversity, we came together and secured the win.”
Quinn expressed pride in their season, emphasizing the importance of this championship after narrowly missing out the previous year. “It rounds off an amazing year for us,” he concluded.
Both teams demonstrated resilience and strategic brilliance, securing their places in IMSA history with their championship victories at Petit Le Mans.
