Second career GTP class pole for Louis Deletraz

IMSA

Jun 22

Second career GTP class pole for Louis Deletraz in Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti #40 Acura ARX-06 with a fast lap of 1:32.209, 0.038 seconds quicker than van der Zande’s #01 Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac V-Series.R in qualifying at Watkins Glen International. P. Hyett in #99 AO Racing, D. Serra in #62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3 and P. Thompson in #12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 are the other class pole men.

Pole position for #40 Acura

Louis Deletraz clinched pole position for Sunday’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen in Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti #40 Acura ARX-06.

Louis Deletraz (#40 Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Acura ARX-06) Pole qualifier for the Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen: "The car feels great! Our Acura is fast for sure. I really enjoy this qualifying, and to be on pole here is fantastic, but it means nothing for the race. For sure, we have some weather incoming [for Sunday] and it will make our race very interesting. Last year, we were very fast, but didn't get the result that we hoped. Acura has a lot of history here, and I'm hoping we can add to it. They were huge in helping us rebuild after Detroit. We never give up, I'm grateful to be surrounded by HRC and Acura and WTRAndretti. So, yes, the pole is great. But, the points are on Sunday—mostly—and I'm hoping we can take the big one home tomorrow!"

Both Cadillac V-Series.R second and third

Renger van der Zande in #01 Cadillac Racing and Jack Aitken in the #31 Action Express Racing Cadillac qualified second and third.

The #01 Cadillac V-Series.R, co-driven by van der Zande and Sebastien Bourdais, has qualified no lower than third – including a pole at Laguna Seca – through six races.

Renger van der Zande: “I’m super excited to do this qualifying after basically three years not qualifying. I focused on a good lap, and I think I got one. The car was hooked up. When I gave it a little extra, the time didn’t come, and we started sliding around a little. Tire deg is going to be an issue on this track. I was really happy with my lap. (Qualifying) is low fuel, new tires and I never have that. The one who qualifies gets that, so I was happy to feel that and it feels fantastic.”

Aitken will share driving duties Sunday with Pipo Derani and Tom Blomqvist in the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R, which was the runner-up in the race at The Glen in 2023. Derani started the season with three consecutive poles. Aitken holds the track GTP race record of 1:33.028 set last year as qualifications were rained out and the field lined up based on championship points.

Jack Aitken: “It’s a really solid spot and nice to be on the inside for the start; a nice consolation for not being on the front row. I really enjoyed my first qualifying. It’s always fun to get to feel the car in those conditions, especially at a track like this which requires a bit of bravery. It’s fast and flowing. I just didn’t quite manage to break through. I did a lot of laps that were quite similar, just making small improvements. I couldn’t quite get it together before the tires started dropping off. There is room for improvement but a really solid start for the six-hour race tomorrow.” Source: Cadillac Racing

A private Porsche 963 ahead of factory Porsches

Three Porsche 963 follow with Phil Hanson in #85 JDC-Miller Motorsports’ Porsche 963 who outpaced both works drivers Mathieu Jaminet, fifth in the #6 Porsche Penske Motrosport, followed by teammate Felipe Nasr in #7 sister car (sixth).

Phil Hanson (Porsche 963 #85): “My goal wasn’t about qualifying ahead of the works cars – it’s always about going for pole position. I wasn’t that far off. The car felt great. I got a clean qualifying lap – and a spot on the second grid row is our reward. In my last IMSA race at the Sebring 12 Hours, we didn’t tap our full potential. We want to do things differently in the race tomorrow.”

Mathieu Jaminet (Porsche 963 #6): “Fifth is not what I’d hoped for. I’m sure we could’ve done better. I made a minor error on my flying lap. An unnecessary gear change in the last corner hampered me from advancing to third place. Still, your grid position isn’t so important. Our car will be stronger in the race than it was on a single flying qualifying lap. I’m curious to see how the weather develops. We might be in for a wet race day.”

Felipe Nasr (Porsche 963 #7): “I tried everything. I reckon our car still understeers a little too much. That doesn’t feel great when you’re attempting your flying lap. On the other hand, such vehicle handling is good for Sunday’s long race. I’m confident that we can pull something out of the hat. Weather, strategy, tyre durability – many factors will play a very important role in the fight for victory.”