Porsche's Podium Prowess: Extending Championship Lead in Detroit

Porsche Penske Motorsport secured a crucial podium finish in Detroit, extending their championship lead in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Despite challenging conditions and fierce competition, the team's strategic prowess and driver skill ensured a strong showing, reinforcing their dominance in the series. Customer team AO Racing also maintained their lead in the GTD Pro class.

Porsche Extends Championship Lead in Thrilling Detroit Race

Porsche Penske Motorsport successfully defended and extended its championship lead at the recent IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship round in Detroit, securing a valuable third-place finish with the No. 6 Porsche 963. The No. 7 car, driven by championship leaders Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy, finished fourth, further solidifying Porsche's position at the top.

Race Highlights and Challenges

The fifth round of the IMSA season on the Detroit street course presented significant challenges, with temperatures dropping to 16°C after a day of sweltering heat. Despite the changed conditions, Porsche Penske Motorsport adapted quickly.

• Early Gains: Nick Tandy in the No. 7 car made an impressive start, catapulting from seventh to fourth, and then to third by lap four.

• Flawless Pit Stops: The Porsche Penske Motorsport crew executed stellar pit stops, allowing both 963s to re-enter the track ahead of rivals.

• Mid-Race Lead: The No. 7 car led the race at the halfway mark, while the No. 6 battled for a podium spot.

• Late Race Drama: With 15 minutes remaining, Felipe Nasr in the No. 7 lost two positions, allowing the No. 6 to move into third place.

Urs Kuratle, Director Factory Racing LMDh, expressed satisfaction with the results, highlighting the team's 17 consecutive IMSA races with at least one Porsche 963 on the podium. Jonathan Diuguid, Managing Director Porsche Penske Motorsport, noted that while tire grip issues prevented them from holding the lead, the overall outcome was positive, extending their championship advantage.

Championship Standings Reinforced

Porsche's strong performance in Detroit significantly bolstered its championship standing:

• Manufacturers' Standings: Porsche holds a commanding 147-point lead over its closest competitor.

• Drivers' Championship: Nasr/Tandy and Campbell/Jaminet are ranked first and second, respectively.

• Team Standings: Porsche Penske Motorsport leads the IMSA team standings.

GTD Pro Class: AO Racing Defends Lead

In the GTD Pro class, customer team AO Racing, with their Porsche 911 GT3 R dubbed "Roxy," successfully defended its championship lead despite a challenging race. Drivers Klaus Bachler and Laurin Heinrich navigated intense duels, finishing fifth in their class. Laurin Heinrich commented on the chaotic final laps but expressed satisfaction with the fifth-place finish, calling it "a good and important result for the championship."

Looking Ahead

Before the sixth round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship on June 21 at Watkins Glen, Porsche Penske Motorsport will focus on the highly anticipated 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 14-15), where they will field three Porsche 963s.